Take a Closer Look at the Craft of Picture Books—a Workshop with Jennifer K. Mann

Learn how to create picture books through close reading and analysis of picture books published in the last 10 years. Over five weeks, we will select, read, and learn how to analyze contemporary picture books to begin to understand how the masters create the wonderful books that are being published now. We will look at structure, form, voice, theme, word choice, relationship of words to illustrations, wordless books, and other tools and devices that bring stories to life in the picture book genre. Students will be asked to share their findings with the class so that everyone will benefit from your analyses. Students will be encouraged to work on and share their own picture book projects for support and feedback throughout the course. In addition to gaining writing skills, all students will come away with a deeper understanding of how illustrations work in picture books. No previous writing experience required, illustrators welcome.

Details:

• BARN is practicing safety measures for the health and well-being of all participants, in accordance with state and CDC guidelines. Please click here to read more.
• Tuition assistance is available. Click here to fill out our simple application before you register.

Instructor Bio:

Jennifer K. Mann is an author/illustrator from Bainbridge Island, Washington, where she lives with her husband, dogs, cat and chickens, and occasionally her now grown children. Her favorite thing in the world is her family, followed closely by making books for young readers, reading, cooking, camping, hiking, and swimming outdoors, especially in clear cold lakes. Jennifer was once an architect, but now is the author and illustrator of several picture books including TWO SPECKLED EGGS (a previous Washington State Book Award Winner), I’LL NEVER GET A STAR ON MRS BENSON’S BLACKBOARD, SAM AND JUMP and JOSIE’S LOST TOOTH. Her 2020 picture book, THE CAMPING TRIP (Candlewick) won the 2021 Washington State Book Award for picture books. Upcoming books are AUDREY L and AUDREY W: TRUE CREATIVE TALENTS, which is book 2 in a chapter book series written by Carter Higgins (Chronicle Books, 2022); and MAPLE AND ROSEMARY, a picture book by Allison James (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2023).