Summer is more than sun and s’mores—it’s the perfect time to improve your picture book writing skills this summer. As a children’s book author, I use the summer months to work on my writing. Whether you’re relaxing at the beach or enjoying the quiet of a shaded porch, summer offers the ideal setting to dive into writing. Here’s how to turn these sunlit months into a season of inspiration with these picture book writing tips.
Read Like a Writer
One of the best ways to learn how to write picture books is by reading them—like a writer. This summer, don’t just enjoy stories—study them. Your local library is the best place to find recent picture books and get the inside scoop from the librarians about which books are most popular and where new books might be needed.
Summer Writing Goal: Read 25 picture books and journal your writing insights.
Write a Picture Book Draft Every Week
Want to level up your writing fast? Set a goal to write one new picture book draft each week. Don’t aim for perfection—just write. The more you practice, the stronger your writing becomes. I have been write one or two picture book drafts per month, but during the summer I try to up my game by writing a picture book draft a week.
Summer Goal: 5–8 drafts by the end of summer.
Write Outside for Inspiration
Nature is packed with story prompts. Trees, clouds, bugs—they all have stories if you pause to imagine. Take your notebook outside and let the world spark your creativity. We have several bunnies who visit my backyard during the day. I watch them play games which has given me a fresh idea for a story. No bunnies, no problem while you are at the beach or pool, don’t just soak up the sun, take a look around and brainstorm some story ideas for a picture book.
Summer Goal: Write five outdoor-inspired picture book ideas.
Join a Summer Writing Group or Challenge
Staying connected keeps you accountable. This summer, join a writing group for picture book authors, take part in online challenges, or attend a virtual workshop. I belong to a picture book critique group through 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, TeachWrite.org, and Long Island Authors. This is a great way for me to learn and grow with other picture book authors. SCBWI also has some great groups to join.
Summer Goal: Join one writing community or online event by July.
Polish Old Drafts with Bold New Ideas
Summer is also a great time to revisit older stories. Try rewriting from a new character’s point of view, change the setting, or experiment with a fresh structure. Gertie Saves the Day was a story that I wrote many years ago. I pulled it out one summer and began to revise it. Now it is a best-selling, award winning book.
Summer Goal: Revise three old drafts using creative changes.
Make Summer Count
By reading widely, writing regularly, and challenging yourself creatively, you can improve your picture book writing skills this summer. You can start to build your skills and plant the seeds of stories that will grow long after the season ends.
Ready to start your summer picture book writing challenge?
The stories you begin today might just be the ones a child asks to be read over and over again.
Happy writing!
With gratitude …
I am so glad you’re here. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am grateful that I can share my writing journey with you. It is an endless journey of learning and growing. A journey that I am enjoying.
I am now booking author visits for the fall, 2025 school year. If you are a classroom teacher, teacher assistant, Parent Teacher Association President, or After School Director I can work with you to create a visit that will meet the needs of your students. Please contact me to book your visit.
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Please consider purchasing a copy of Two Wins for Wiley or Gertie Saves the Day for gifts. Books make great gifts. Books can be read over and over again. It is my wish to get as many books as I can into the hands of children. Children need to hear all kinds of stories. A book is the best gift for both children and adults!
Call to Action …
You can really help this author by leaving a book review on Amazon or Goodreads. You can leave a review for Gertie Saves the Day here or here. Two Wins for Wiley here or here. Reviews can be as easy as 2-3 sentences. It should take about 30 seconds to leave and would make a huge difference for this author.
