Only Picture Books

For today's Bonus post, I’m highlighting a fantastic kidlit site that's all about how picture books and music work together. Really thoughtful stuff for teachers and writers alike. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/30/ind… #PictureBooks #KidLit

From Scottish folklore to high school English to agenting at Howland Literary... Ashlee MacCallum has an incredible background. And yes, she wants your "creepy" picture books. 👻 onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/23/age… #KidLit #MSWL #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying

Ever wonder what a dancing octopus or a sleeping salamander dreams about? 🐙🦎 This week’s reading activities feature EVERY DREAMING CREATURE by Brendan Wenzel. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/16/rea… #KidLit #PictureBooks #BrendanWenzel

Just finished a picture book draft? Before you start revising, step back and look at the foundation. Today on the blog, I'm sharing 5 key questions to ask your early draft. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/09/beh… #WritingTips #KidLit #PictureBooks

What do lace-up shoes have to do with growing up? Quite a bit, actually. Fred Koehler joined me to take a closer look at Caldecott Honor winner Jashar Awan’s new picture book, Loops. Here’s our full review: onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/02/pic… #mondayblogs #picturebooks #bookreview

In picture books, every spread needs to do heavy lifting. Today on the blog, I explain why you should cut the setup and start one beat later. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/23/ind… #PictureBooks #KidLit #AmWriting #PublishingAdvice

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Hudson Talbott. To honor him, this week’s reading activities focus on his autobiographical picture book book, A Walk in the Words. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/16/rea… #PictureBooks #KidLit #HudsonTalbott #ReadingActivities

Is your picture book idea "too small"? Does your draft feel rushed at the end? 🤔 Today on the blog, I’m addressing 3 of the most common early-draft worries. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/09/beh… #WritingTips #KidLit #PictureBooks #AmWriting

February’s Five-Word Reviews are here! We’re keeping it brief this week with 5 new picture books you should have on your radar. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/02/pic… #KidLit #PictureBooks #BookReview #Mondayblogs

Confession: If your cover letter is longer than your picture book manuscript, I probably won’t read it. 🫣 Today’s Industry Insights post offers a solution: The Two-Sentence Cover Note. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/26/ind… #WritingCommunity #KidLit #Querying #MondayBlogs

This week on the blog, we’re stepping into the 1920s with Flora and the Jazzers by Astrid Sheckels. I’ve created a new set of reading activities to go with it. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/19/rea… #PictureBooks #KidLit #Music #ReadingActivities

As an editor, I see the same specific mistakes in the slush pile over and over. Today, I’m sharing 10 resolutions that actually made a difference. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/12/beh… #PictureBooks #WritingTips #KidLit #MondayBlogs

The first batch of reviews for 2026 is live! We’ve got Jory John’s latest Food Group book, winter vibes from the Pumphrey brothers, and hiccups. Lots of hiccups. onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/05/fiv… #KidLit #PictureBooks #BookReview #MondayBlogs

The OPB Best of 2025 list is live! 📚✨ onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/29/25-… #KidLit #BestOf2025 #PictureBooks #MondayBlogs

Today on the blog, I'm sharing the simple file naming convention that editors actually love (and that keeps your work from getting lost). onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/22/ind… #WritingCommunity #KidLit #PublishingAdvice #Querying #picturebooks

Whoops! Monday got away from me, but this post is worth the wait. 🕰️ I've created a set of reading activities for GIRLS ON THE RISE by Amanda Gorman & Loveis Wise. Find the post right here. onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/17/rea… #KidLit #AmandaGorman #PictureBooks

New on the blog: An interview with award-winning poet and author @Irene_Latham! We discuss poetry, collaboration, and THE MUSEUM ON THE MOON, which I had the pleasure of editing. 🌙 onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/08/aut… #KidLit #AuthorInterview #Poetry #TheMuseumOnTheMoon

What happens when leftover Halloween candy crashes the holidays? 🍬🎄 I'm joined by illustrator Edna Cabcabin Moran (@kidlitedna) to review CANDY CORN CHRISTMAS by Jonathan Fenske. It's a mix of festive cheer & subversive humor. #PictureBooks #KidLit #BookReview #Mondayblogs

Your picture book needs to answer one question fast: So what? If you can't answer it, neither can an editor (or a sales rep, or a buyer). Today's post explains exactly how to fix that. onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/24/ind… #PictureBooks #WritingTips #KidLit

How do you tuck in a "disgusting blob"? This week's new reading activities are for Huw Aaron's hilarious monster bedtime book, Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob. onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/17/rea… #KidLit #PictureBooks #BedtimeStories #ReadingActivities