Picture Books About Writers and Writing

By sharing her own struggles as a child and later as a successful author, Helen Lester demonstrates that hurdles are part of the process. She uses her unique ability to laugh at her mistakes to create both a guide for young writers and an amusing personal story of the disappointments and triumphs of a writer’s life.

The day before the first day of school Annalina declares in her diary: “I don’t want to go to kindergarten!” Her worries are familiar, expressed in boldly colored and outlined illustrations. As the month goes along, however, Annalina’s concerns are dispelled and she grows to love school, her friends and teacher, and kindergarten.

Through a series of mishaps, Little Lorikeet’s perfect strawberry is lost and the little bird has no gift for her grandmother. When all attempts to retrieve it are futile, Lorikeet and her friends make something that lasts much longer: a storybook for Grandma.

J.M. Barrie was always a storyteller. Here his life and selections from his work — including Peter Pan — are presented in a handsomely illustrated and formatted book. Sources consulted as well as a selection of Barrie’s work are included.

Writing begins with a young child’s ability to see and hear letters and sounds. In a large, sturdy format, letters, numbers, and colors are introduced using full-color photographs and crisp graphics — just right to share with the youngest child.

Erin loves dinosaurs and so describes all the fun they’ll have in a letter inviting a tyrannosaurus to her birthday party. The broad humor of the huge dinosaur playing party games and similar activities conveyed in comic illustration and understated text is sure to create giggles galore.

Ever-faithful Emma thinks her human is being kidnapped by Loretta and e-mails ‘Ask Queenie’ for advice — just as Loretta’s dog, Hank, does. Droll illustrations are presented in comic book style and are sure to delight readers, even if they haven’t read Letters from a Desperate Dog (opens in a new window).

Mark Twain’s daughter, Susy, writes a journal to set the record straight about her famous writer father. Cleverly formatted as a book within a book, illustrations, journal, and narration (in Susy’s voice) present a readable, engaging, and documented look at the writer and his family.

Brother Theophane is unlike the other monks in the mountains of Mourne (Ireland). While most brothers scribe only in browns, Theophane adds color from nature to the manuscripts. Jewel-like illustration combines with rhyming text to celebrate history and individuality.

Miss Doover introduces her students to the art of composing thank you notes, though Jack must revise and expand his letter several times. In the process, he comes to appreciate his teacher’s patience. Humorous illustrations and naive sentiments make a recognizable story.

Molly, a mouse, and her friends come up with just the right gift for Turtle’s birthday: an illustrated book about the four seasons. Lightly lined illustrations complement this gentle story of friendship, seasons, and celebrations.