Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
The course examines how to write a picture book text. We will explore the unique relationship between the words and the illustration in a picture book and - from a writing point of view - how the story must take account of both. The course also looks at how to prepare a text manuscript and approach publishers.
What will we cover?
- Child development in relation to perception and books - Finding appropriate ideas - Importance of theme - The twenty-four and thirty-two page spread - Finding ideas in the familiar world and in fantasy - Structure - Handling characters, time span and visual variety - Using repetition, rhyme and rhythm - The picture book for older children - Approaching agents and publishers.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- show awareness of the technical requirements of picture book writing - demonstrate knowledge of what makes for a successful picture book story.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No special educational attainments are required, but students should be able to write fluent English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Through exercises in class, both individually and in groups, class discussion, analysing examples, and through tutor presentation.
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring writing materials with you to class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers further courses in writing for children including Picture book writing: advanced.
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.
Andrew Weale is a poet and author of five picture books, including Nora: The Girl Who Ate and Ate and Ate, and the Red House Award winning Spooky Spooky House. He also lectures on picture book writing at Winchester University as part of the Children’s Writing MA, and mentors writers for the highly successful Golden Egg Academy.
Lou KuenzlerSee moreSee less
Lou Kuenzler attended a writing for children class at City Lit some years ago. Since then she has written many popular books for newly fluent and middle grade readers as well as picture books. She has also written for Cbeebies television. She is very proud that so many of her past students have achieved publication success of their own.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/picture-book-writing233979Picture book writinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture_book_writing2_15.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/vm/Wellbeing at City Lit/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Children's Writing/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Writing/Picture books & illustration/Courses/Short Courses/Courses/Short Courses/Humanities/Courses/Writing/Children's writing/Children's writing/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Children's writing/Courses/vm/Summer offers/Courses/Top rated courses/Courses/vm/Creative courses228517462042201820571341113417159213581135841361416628673122851653201811771205134111358113584Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.284.81186993Picture book writing159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture_book_writing2_15_5.jpgInStockDaytimeSunOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekend2026-01-25T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJan 2026WritingHW160159159Picture book writing15980159Andrew Wealepicture-book-writing/hw160-2526Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.0000-Available|2026-01-25 00:00:00The course examines how to write a picture book text. We will explore the unique relationship between the words and the illustration in a picture book and - from a writing point of view - how the story must take account of both. The course also looks at how to prepare a text manuscript and approach publishers.Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.- Child development in relation to perception and books <br/>- Finding appropriate ideas<br/>- Importance of theme<br/>- The twenty-four and thirty-two page spread<br/>- Finding ideas in the familiar world and in fantasy<br/>- Structure<br/>- Handling characters, time span and visual variety<br/>- Using repetition, rhyme and rhythm<br/>- The picture book for older children<br/>- Approaching agents and publishers.- show awareness of the technical requirements of picture book writing<br/>- demonstrate knowledge of what makes for a successful picture book story.No special educational attainments are required, but students should be able to write fluent English.<p>Through exercises in class, both individually and in groups, class discussion, analysing examples, and through tutor presentation.</p> <br />
<br />
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit. <br />
<br />
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.<br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring writing materials with you to class.City Lit offers further courses in writing for children including Picture book writing: advanced.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingvirtual1187032Picture book writing159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture_book_writing2_15_6.jpgInStockEveningWedOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-02-18T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersFeb 2026WritingHW426159159Picture book writing15980159Lou Kuenzlerpicture-book-writing/hw426-2526Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.0000-Available|2026-02-18 00:00:00The course examines how to write a picture book text. We will explore the unique relationship between the words and the illustration in a picture book and - from a writing point of view - how the story must take account of both. The course also looks at how to prepare a text manuscript and approach publishers.Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.- Child development in relation to perception and books <br/>- Finding appropriate ideas<br/>- Importance of theme<br/>- The twenty-four and thirty-two page spread<br/>- Finding ideas in the familiar world and in fantasy<br/>- Structure<br/>- Handling characters, time span and visual variety<br/>- Using repetition, rhyme and rhythm<br/>- The picture book for older children<br/>- Approaching agents and publishers.- show awareness of the technical requirements of picture book writing<br/>- demonstrate knowledge of what makes for a successful picture book story.No special educational attainments are required, but students should be able to write fluent English.<p>Through exercises in class, both individually and in groups, class discussion, analysing examples, and through tutor presentation.</p> <br />
<br />
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit. <br />
<br />
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.<br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring writing materials with you to class.City Lit offers further courses in writing for children including Picture book writing: advanced.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingvirtual2531989Picture book writing129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture_book_writing2_15_69.jpgInStockDaytimeSat-SunKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2026-03-07T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersMar 2026WritingHW117129129Picture book writing12965129Lou Kuenzlerpicture-book-writing/hw117-2526Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.0000-Available|2026-03-07 00:00:00The course examines how to write a picture book text. We will explore the unique relationship between the words and the illustration in a picture book and - from a writing point of view - how the story must take account of both. The course also looks at how to prepare a text manuscript and approach publishers.Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.- Child development in relation to perception and books <br/>- Finding appropriate ideas<br/>- Importance of theme<br/>- The twenty-four and thirty-two page spread<br/>- Finding ideas in the familiar world and in fantasy<br/>- Structure<br/>- Handling characters, time span and visual variety<br/>- Using repetition, rhyme and rhythm<br/>- The picture book for older children<br/>- Approaching agents and publishers.- show awareness of the technical requirements of picture book writing<br/>- demonstrate knowledge of what makes for a successful picture book story.No special educational attainments are required, but students should be able to write fluent English.<p>Through exercises in class, both individually and in groups, class discussion, analysing examples, and through tutor presentation.</p> <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring writing materials with you to class.City Lit offers further courses in writing for children including Picture book writing: advanced.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingvirtual2621937Picture book writing129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture_book_writing2_15_70.jpgInStockDaytimeSat-SunKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2026-05-09T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersMay 2026WritingHW102129129Picture book writing12965129Lou Kuenzlerpicture-book-writing/hw102-2526Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.0000-Available|2026-05-09 00:00:00The course examines how to write a picture book text. We will explore the unique relationship between the words and the illustration in a picture book and - from a writing point of view - how the story must take account of both. The course also looks at how to prepare a text manuscript and approach publishers.Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.- Child development in relation to perception and books <br/>- Finding appropriate ideas<br/>- Importance of theme<br/>- The twenty-four and thirty-two page spread<br/>- Finding ideas in the familiar world and in fantasy<br/>- Structure<br/>- Handling characters, time span and visual variety<br/>- Using repetition, rhyme and rhythm<br/>- The picture book for older children<br/>- Approaching agents and publishers.- show awareness of the technical requirements of picture book writing<br/>- demonstrate knowledge of what makes for a successful picture book story.No special educational attainments are required, but students should be able to write fluent English.<p>Through exercises in class, both individually and in groups, class discussion, analysing examples, and through tutor presentation.</p> <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring writing materials with you to class.City Lit offers further courses in writing for children including Picture book writing: advanced.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingvirtual2693814Picture book writing159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture_book_writing2_15_71.jpgInStockDaytimeSunOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekend2026-06-07T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJun 2026WritingHW161159159Picture book writing15980159Andrew Wealepicture-book-writing/hw161-2526Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.0000-Available|2026-06-07 00:00:00The course examines how to write a picture book text. We will explore the unique relationship between the words and the illustration in a picture book and - from a writing point of view - how the story must take account of both. The course also looks at how to prepare a text manuscript and approach publishers.Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.- Child development in relation to perception and books <br/>- Finding appropriate ideas<br/>- Importance of theme<br/>- The twenty-four and thirty-two page spread<br/>- Finding ideas in the familiar world and in fantasy<br/>- Structure<br/>- Handling characters, time span and visual variety<br/>- Using repetition, rhyme and rhythm<br/>- The picture book for older children<br/>- Approaching agents and publishers.- show awareness of the technical requirements of picture book writing<br/>- demonstrate knowledge of what makes for a successful picture book story.No special educational attainments are required, but students should be able to write fluent English.<p>Through exercises in class, both individually and in groups, class discussion, analysing examples, and through tutor presentation.</p> <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring writing materials with you to class.City Lit offers further courses in writing for children including Picture book writing: advanced.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingvirtual2783163Picture book writing129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/i/picture_book_writing2_15_72.jpgInStockDaytimeSat-SunKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2026-07-18T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJul 2026WritingHW348129129Picture book writing12965129Andrew Wealepicture-book-writing/hw348-2526Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.0000-Available|2026-07-18 00:00:00The course examines how to write a picture book text. We will explore the unique relationship between the words and the illustration in a picture book and - from a writing point of view - how the story must take account of both. The course also looks at how to prepare a text manuscript and approach publishers.Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.- Child development in relation to perception and books <br/>- Finding appropriate ideas<br/>- Importance of theme<br/>- The twenty-four and thirty-two page spread<br/>- Finding ideas in the familiar world and in fantasy<br/>- Structure<br/>- Handling characters, time span and visual variety<br/>- Using repetition, rhyme and rhythm<br/>- The picture book for older children<br/>- Approaching agents and publishers.- show awareness of the technical requirements of picture book writing<br/>- demonstrate knowledge of what makes for a successful picture book story.No special educational attainments are required, but students should be able to write fluent English.<p>Through exercises in class, both individually and in groups, class discussion, analysing examples, and through tutor presentation.</p> <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring writing materials with you to class.City Lit offers further courses in writing for children including Picture book writing: advanced.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingvirtual159,129159,12980,65HW160,HW426,HW117,HW102,HW161,HW348NONESun,Wed,Sat-Sun25/01/26 - 01/03/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeks,1 to 4 weeksWeekend,WeekdayOnlineOnline,Keeley StreetAndrew Weale,Lou KuenzlerBeginnersAvailable courses2026-01-25T00:00:00+00:00,2026-02-18T00:00:00+00:00,2026-03-07T00:00:00+00:00,2026-05-09T00:00:00+00:00,2026-06-07T00:00:00+00:00,2026-07-18T00:00:00+00:00Daytime,EveningJan 2026,Feb 2026,Mar 2026,May 2026,Jun 2026,Jul 2026Writing129159,129Picture book writingpicture-book-writing/hw160-2526,picture-book-writing/hw426-2526,picture-book-writing/hw117-2526,picture-book-writing/hw102-2526,picture-book-writing/hw161-2526,picture-book-writing/hw348-2526Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.0000-Available|2026-01-25 00:00:00The course examines how to write a picture book text. We will explore the unique relationship between the words and the illustration in a picture book and - from a writing point of view - how the story must take account of both. The course also looks at how to prepare a text manuscript and approach publishers.Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.- Child development in relation to perception and books <br/>- Finding appropriate ideas<br/>- Importance of theme<br/>- The twenty-four and thirty-two page spread<br/>- Finding ideas in the familiar world and in fantasy<br/>- Structure<br/>- Handling characters, time span and visual variety<br/>- Using repetition, rhyme and rhythm<br/>- The picture book for older children<br/>- Approaching agents and publishers.- show awareness of the technical requirements of picture book writing<br/>- demonstrate knowledge of what makes for a successful picture book story.No special educational attainments are required, but students should be able to write fluent English.<p>Through exercises in class, both individually and in groups, class discussion, analysing examples, and through tutor presentation.</p> <br />
<br />
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit. <br />
<br />
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.<br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.,<p>Through exercises in class, both individually and in groups, class discussion, analysing examples, and through tutor presentation.</p> <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring writing materials with you to class.City Lit offers further courses in writing for children including Picture book writing: advanced.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingconfigurable
