Picture Book Basics:

These are some of the basics that you need to know in order to make a children’s picture book. If you have any questions please e-mail me at bookbasics@scottefranson.com and I will add to or clarify the information.

A picture book relies on how the pictures interact with the words. As story teller think about your story. When is the story quiet? When is it loud? When is it slow? When is it fast? A story board is a great tool to plan the overall experience that a reader will have with your book. Don’t worry about the drawing at this point. Get the story on paper.

Storyboard Templates (pdf):

32 page/landscape

32 page/portrait

32 page/square

Gutter:
This is the fold in the middle of the book. It is an element that needs to be a major consideration when designing images for a book. Avoid placing important elements in or near the gutter. Elements placed too close to the gutter may disappear after the book is bound.

End paper:
The paper at the beginning and end of a book. It is frequently a different color. The end paper has 2 functions. The first is to attach the cover to the pages. The end paper is glued to the hard board of the cover and the edge of page 1 to hold the pages in the book. The second it is use aesthetically as a transition into the story. The end paper may be illustrated.

Spine:
The spine is on the outside of the book and lists the author, title and publisher. For most books the spine is all that is showing. Don’t overlook its importance.

Case cover:
The case cover is the artwork that is glued to the outside of the book. It is usually the same artwork as the dust jacket.

Dust jacket:
Wraps around the book with flaps that have a synopsis of the book and an author biography.

Book anatomy (pdf):

A picture book is usually 32 pages long. The number is not arbitrary it is dictated by the process used to print the book. A book may have more or less pages but they must be added or reduced in multiples of four. If you are just getting started keep the process as simple as possible, write a 32 page book.

Layout options (pdf)