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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/09/b... #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: www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/02/p... #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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/23/i... #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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/16/r... #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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/09/b... #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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/02/p... #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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/26/i... #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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/19/r... #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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/12/b... #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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/05/f... #KidLit #PictureBooks #BookReview #MondayBlogs

The OPB Best of 2025 list is live! 📚✨ www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/29/2... #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). www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/22/i... #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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/17/r... #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. 🌙 www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/08/a... #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. Read our thoughts about it right here: www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/01/p... #PictureBooks #KidLit #BookReview

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. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/24/i... #PictureBooks #WritingTips #KidLit

This week's post is all about the slimy, sweet, and very funny monster bedtime book, Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron! To celebrate, I've created a new set of reading activities. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/17/r... #PictureBooks #KidLit #BedtimeStories #Monsters #ActivitiesForKids

Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson & singer/voice actress Bettina Bush discuss their new picture book, Once Upon a You. Learn about their creative process, friendship, and passion for empowering kids. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/10/a... #KidLit #OnceUponAYou #KeyshawnJohnson

It's the first Monday of the month, and a new list of five-word reviews is live! It's a great batch of funny, strange, and beautiful books here. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/03/5... #PictureBooks #BookReviews #KidLit

New Industry Insights post, fresh from the hiring trenches! I just hired an editorial assistant & am sharing the 11 green lights (and 5 red flags) I saw in the submissions pile. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/27/i... #Publishing #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #KidLit

This week’s post is about The Glass Pyramid, the inspiring story of architect I.M. Pei and his vision for the Louvre. To go with it, I've developed a new set of reading activities. Enjoy! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/20/t... #KidLit #PictureBooks #Architecture #STEM #ReadingActivities

This week's interview is with Joan Schoettler, whose new book BOOKS TRAVEL THE WORLD I had the honor of editing. We discuss her journey from professor to author & her passion for cross-cultural stories. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/13/a... #AuthorInterview #WritingCraft #KidLit #PictureBooks

A new batch of five-word reviews is up! This week's list features a must-see from Stephen King & Maurice Sendak (!), plus heroism with "snotty flair," a daring duck, and more. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/06/p... #KidLit #StephenKing #PictureBooks #BookReview

It's that time of year when the light shifts and the air thins. To capture that unique mood, I've curated a new list of 12 picture books that feel just like September. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/29/p... #PictureBooks #BookList #KidLit #AutumnReads #September

Does every spread in your picture book have a job? New post on the blog, inspired by my class this week, shares a checklist to help you dummy-test your manuscript. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/22/i... #WritingTips #KidLit #PictureBooks #AmWriting

This week’s post dives into the gorgeous book THE TRUTH ABOUT DRAGONS by Julie Leung, a lyrical look at biracial identity. To go with it, I’ve developed a full set of reading activities. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/15/r... #PictureBooks #KidLit #Identity #AAPIHeritage #ActivitiesForKids

Thrilled to share a new author interview with the brilliant Susan Hughes! We discuss her journey writing books, and as a freelance editor, she shares common pitfalls she sees in manuscripts. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/08/a... #AuthorInterview #PictureBooks #WritingCraft #KidLit

New on the blog: Five-word reviews for five new picture books! It's my way of capturing the spark of a story in a nutshell. Check out all the quick takes right here! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/01/p... #PictureBooks #KidLit #BookReviews #NewBooks

Here's a great picture book tip from our ACQUIRED! workshop, courtesy of guest illustrator Fred Koehler. It's called "illustrator bait"—writing lines that give artists room to invent and create magic. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/25/i... #WritingCraft #KidLit #PictureBook #WritingCommunity

This week's post is all about the fantastic SHARK GIRL by Kate Beaton! To celebrate, I've developed a new set of reading activities for the book. Find all the fun here: www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/18/r... #PictureBooks #KidLit #KateBeaton #Reading #ActivitiesForKids

New on the blog! I talked with award-winning nonfiction author Lindsay H. Metcalf about the surprising science of Beatrix Potter, and why the Supreme Court once declared tomatoes a vegetable. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/11/a... #KidLit #WritingCommunity #Nonfiction #AuthorInterview #Books

It's a new week and a new batch of five-word picture book reviews! See which ones click for you! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/04/p... #PictureBooks #BookReview #KidsBooks #ShortReviews #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

New on Only Picture Books: I'm sharing highlights & Q&A from my "Unlocking the WOW Factor: Elevating Nonfiction Picture Books" session at @WritersDigest Conference! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/28/i... #KidlitWriting #NonfictionPB #WritersDigest #PublishingTips #AuthorLife #MondayBlogs

Fresh on Only Picture Books: Activities for Chalk the Walk! Explore the power of imagination and transforming dull spaces with colorful art. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/21/r... #PictureBooks #Creativity #OutdoorPlay #FamilyActivities #Kidlit #MondayBlogs

New on Only Picture Books: I'm pulling back the curtain on ghostwriting & IP work in publishing! Should you say yes? This post breaks down the benefits & drawbacks. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/14/e... #KidlitWriting #PublishingIndustry #WriterLife #InvisibleWork #CareerAdvice #MondayBlogs

Just posted a review of Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola & Barbara McClintock. PLUS, catch my photo diary from #ALAAC25 last week. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/07/p... www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/30/i... #PictureBooks #KidlitReview #ALAConference #AuthorLife #Reading

New on Only Picture Books: Decoding Editorial Feedback! As an Editorial Director & writer, I'm pulling back the curtain on common phrases like "not enough here for a picture book" and "too similar to our list," using real PB examples. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/23/i... #publishingtips

Fresh on Only Picture Books: Reading activities for the powerful Are You a Friend of Dorothy? by Kyle Lukoff & Levi Hastings. Ideas for exploring belonging, LGBTQ+ history, and finding your community. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/16/a... #PictureBooks #ReadingIsMagic #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Got 15 min? I’ve got answers. $50 = one-on-one advice on writing, pitching, freelancing, ghosting, picture books—whatever you need. No fluff. No sales pitch. Just me. Book your AMA call or Zoom: ryangvancleave.com/writing-serv...

Today on Only Picture Books: An interview with award-winning author Donna Janell Bowman! Learn about her meticulous research and turning historical figures into compelling stories. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/09/a... #PictureBooks #NonfictionAuthor #KidlitCommunity #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Double feature on Only Picture Books! 🔥 Read my latest 5-word reviews AND catch last week's deep dive interview with new agent Katie Bircher. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/02/p... www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/05/26/a... #PictureBooks #KidlitReviews #AgentAdvice #NewBooks #Reading

New on OPB: Light up your reading with activities inspired by Fireworks! Explore onomatopoeia, create rooftop art, and dive into city summer vibes. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/05/19/f... #PictureBooks #KidsBooks #Literacy #SummerFun #ReadingIdeas #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Fresh interview on OPB! Joyce Uglow chats with author Shannon Stocker about her books Reinventing the Wheel and Get a Hug, inspiration, and the importance of community. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/05/12/a... #PictureBooks #AuthorInterview #NewBooks #KidlitWriting #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

New 5-word picture book reviews are up! This week I'm sharing my short thoughts on books about quiet moments, growing wisdom, healing hearts, alphabet fun, and a tortilla tale! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/05/05/p... #PictureBooks #BookReview #KidsBooks #ShortReviews

New on OPB! Learn about the world of children's book representation from literary agent Janine Le. She shares her insights on finding great stories and working with creators. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/04/28/a... #PictureBooks #KidLitAgent #PublishingAdvice #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Kidlit writers! Want to know what it really takes to get published? Join the 3-day virtual workshop Acquired!—expert feedback, live consults, and a publishing deal for one lucky participant. May 15–17. 👉 bushelandpeckbooks.com/pages/acquired #kidlit #amwriting #pbchat #writingcommunity

New on OPB: Reading activities inspired by Kenneth Kraegel's Something Good! From Blah-Day Bingo to magic sock crafts, these ideas explore emotions and finding joy in unexpected places. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/04/21/r... #PictureBooks #KidsBooks #Literacy #ClassroomIdeas #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Joyce Uglow interviews author Becky Scharnhorst about her upcoming book BEST BUDS, the power of friendship in stories, and her writing process. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/04/14/i... #PictureBooks #ChildrensLiterature #AuthorInterview #Friendship #NewRelease #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

My 5-word picture book reviews are BACK! This month: mermaids, bears, party animals, twisted rhymes & more! Short, sweet, & to the point. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/04/07/p... #PictureBooks #BookReviews #KidsLit #5WordReview #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Get ready for Spring Astronomy Day! I've curated a list of 15 amazing picture books that explore the wonders of space. From Mars rovers to moon adventures, explore the universe today! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/03/31/p... #PictureBooks #Astronomy #Space #STEM #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR