The Art of Writing Picture Books with Joanna Cooke

The Art of Writing Picture Books: A workshop in creating simple, yet profound stories for young readers. Picture books may seem easy to write, but they are story distilled into its finest form. In this class, we’ll explore what pictures books are—and what they’re not—by studying classics and new favorites. We’ll learn how to create a strong emotional story core and build a narrative arc that pulls readers along. The class consists of mini-lectures and writing time. First-time and experienced writers will both find something to inspire their next picture book.

Joanna Cooke writes books for young people. Her books, including The Sequoia Lives On, Call Me Floy, and Fire Shapes the World, focus on nature and the human experience. Joanna holds an MFA in Creative Writing and an MEd in Elementary Education. Prior to writing, she spent 10 years working as an environmental educator and naturalist in California’s Sierra Nevada. For the last 15 years, she's lived in Jackson, WY, with her family and cats.