How to Make a Picture Book

Join author and illustrator Elys Dolan (appearing as a bright orange worm) and a small blue thing called Bert as they show you how to make your very own picture book. Just follow the step by step instructions in the galleries and then do the activity sheets to start your own picture book project.

Introduction

Step 1: Ideas

The first thing you need to make a picture book is an idea for the story. First, follow the instructions below to find out how Elys gets her ideas. Then do the activity sheet below to create your own story ideas.

Don’t fancy reading the instructions? Here’s a video version!

Ideas activity sheet

Click on the sheets below. It will open a new window. Then you can click the download button or right click the image and go to ‘save as’ to download a printable, A4, activity sheet.

Step 2: Characters

The next thing your picture book needs are some characters. First, follow the instructions below to find out how to get to know your characters. Then do the activity sheet below to create your own character.

Character activity sheet

Click on the sheets below. It will open a new window. Then you can click the download button or right click the image and go to ‘save as’ to download a printable, A4, activity sheet.

Step 3: Setting

Now that you’ve got a character for your picture book it’s time to decide where your story will take place, this is called the setting. First, follow the instructions to see how Elys creates a setting. Then do the activity sheet below to create your own story setting.

Setting activity sheet

Click on the sheets below. It will open a new window. Then you can click the download button or right click the image and go to ‘save as’ to download a printable, A4, activity sheet.

Step 4: Story

It’s time to start writing your story! It can be tricky to decide what you want to happen in your picture book but Elys will show you how to become a story builder. First, read the instructions below and then do the activity sheet to build your own story tower.

Story activity sheet

Click on the sheets below. It will open a new window. Then you can click the download button or right click the image and go to ‘save as’ to download a printable, A4, activity sheet.