Picture Book Craft Compendium

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If you are looking to "level-up" your picture book writing, look no farther than this three-course bundle. Combined, these three courses provide a master class in critical craft components such as structure, plot, voice, and character. You'll also take a deep dive into the essential aspects of revision.

In this three-course bundle, you will get new tips and tools for taking your manuscripts from good to great.

The PICTURE BOOK CRAFT COMPENDIUM bundle includes the following courses:

BEYOND THE THREE ACTS: Picture Book Structures and How They Work

In this course, author and former editor Hannah Barnaby covers the following:

  • an introduction of plot shapes in novels
  • a wide variety of plot structures in picture books
  • specific examples and what each structure does best
  • how to move your own stories beyond the basics so they stand out from the crowd!

WRITING WITHOUT LIMITS: Across Picture Book Genres

Renowned, award-winning picture book author Candace Fleming shares her secrets for writing across multiple genres, including:

  • Multi-genre branding
  • Bucking your publisher
  • Discovering a fresh voice and structure
  • Reusing your research—hopping from fiction to nonfiction
  • Plus, how to find YOUR unique author voice.

You will never look at author voice the same way again after watching this webinar, guaranteed!

PICTURE BOOK YOGA: Bending, Twisting, and Stretching Your Manuscript into Shape

Editor and author Alli Brydon, of Alli Brydon Creative, covers the when, where, why, how, who, and "the end" of picture book revision. Includes a plot arc graph and comprehensive character worksheets. Alli shares revision tips including:

  • When it's the best time to revise.
  • Where you should revise.
  • Why revision is necessary. (Hint: the first draft will never be the only draft.)
  • Techniques, devices, and (sometimes) the slash-and-burn method of revising.
  • Who can help you with a quality revision.
  • Savasanaaaaaaah! How to know when it's "done"

All three courses contain video presentations on the topic, Q & A, transcripts, and audio-only versions. Picture Book Yoga also includes a character worksheet.


Your Instructor


Hannah Barnaby, Candace Fleming, Alli Brydon
Hannah Barnaby, Candace Fleming, Alli Brydon

Hannah Barnaby is a former children’s book editor and indie bookseller, and the author of two young adult novels (WONDER SHOW, a 2013 Morris Award Finalist, and SOME OF THE PARTS) and two picture books (BAD GUY and GARCIA & COLETTE GO EXPLORING). The inaugural Children’s Writer-in- Residence at the Boston Public Library, Hannah holds an MA in Children’s Literature from Simmons College and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. During her time as an editor at Houghton Mifflin, Hannah worked with award-winning authors and illustrators such as Matthew Cordell, Olivier Dunrea, Pamela Turner, and Vivian Vande Velde, as well as managing one notoriously curious little monkey. She lives, writes, and teaches in Charlottesville, VA.

Candace Fleming is the versatile and acclaimed author of more than forty books for children and young adults, including the Sibert-Award-winning Giant Squid; the beloved Boxes for Katje; and the bestselling picture book, Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!. The Los Angeles Times Book Prize honored The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of the Russian Empire; and she wrote the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award-winning biography, The Lincolns. She contributed the chapter on Katharine of Aragon to Fatal Throne. She writes across many genres, from young picture books to young adults.

Alli Brydon is a children's book publisher, editor, and writer with nearly 15 years of experience creating books for publishing houses in the US and UK. Having worked as both an acquiring editor and an agent for children's book authors and illustrators, she is an industry insider who brings a unique blend of skills to all projects.


Courses Included with Purchase



Picture Book Yoga
Bending, Twisting, and Stretching Your Manuscript Into Shape
Alli Brydon
$67
Writing Without Limits
Writing Across Picture Book Genres
Candace Fleming
$67
Beyond the Three Acts
Picture Book Structures and How They Work
Hannah Barnaby
$67

Original Price: $201


I'm learning so much from your Picture Book Craft Compendium bundle! So far, I've watched Hannah Barnaby's course on PB structure and Candace Fleming's course on writing across PB genres. So helpful! Thanks to all of you!

- Dawn Simon, Author

"The Hannah Barnaby webinar about different picture book structures is...a total mic drop on the subject. She verbalized some of my storytelling intuitions that helped me feel validated in using them, and I got more direction on how to make them successful."

- Nell Cross Beckerman, Author of Down Under The Pier

"I just watched the replay of Candace Fleming's webinar. WOW! It is wonderful. The subject is one I've never come across. I can't wait to take a look at the manuscripts I've written and see them in a totally different way. Time to experiment and revise."

- Pamela Harrison, Author

"Just finished (Alli Brydon's) Picture Book Yoga webinar. WOW! Thank you, Alli, for hitting on big revision concepts and delving into them with examples, guiding questions, and practical resources!!"

- Jen Fier Jasinski, Author

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Get started now!