This Post Has 4 Comments

1. Wonderful guide for aspiring authors
   Brooke Van Sickle’s Picture Book Perfection is a must-read for anyone who wants to write and publish children’s books. She breaks down the process step by step, making it so easy to follow—from creating a great story to understanding why back matter matters. I was especially excited to see my book, Tag! You’re It, featured as an example! This guide is both inspiring and super helpful, whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for a while. If you’re ready to turn your ideas into real books, this is the perfect resource to help you get there.

   Reply

2. A Must Read!
   If you are an aspiring picture book author, this book is for you. Brooke breaks things down into manageable steps that will save you time and money. The writing is clear and concise. Her examples are plentiful and extremely helpful.

   Reply

3. Picture Perfect Book That Inspires and Instructs
   Picture Perfect Book That Inspires and Instructsby Dr. Patricia Harkins-Pierre (Dec. 7, 2025)Presently I am working with Brooke and her team to achieve my goal of completing and publishing a children’s picture book to be proud of by early 2025. During the past year I have become an ardent fan of BiblioKid Publishing and the team Brooke Van Sickle has assembled. Brooke herself is an experienced, accomplished and caring publisher, editor and writer. I have learned to value and trust her and her associates.That’s why, when I recently discovered Brooke was releasing a new book titled Picture Book Perfection: How to Write a Picture Book That Sells to Publishers (And Readers) I agreed to receive an advance copy to read and consider reviewing.I am delighted to report that this is a book I can honestly, and highly, recommend to aspiring authors interested in writing and publishing books for children from 2 to 8 years old. In my over 25 years of writing book reviews for academic presses, I have not always had such good news to share!You can be sure I will recommend it to students of creative writing at the University of the Virgin Islands in the U.S.V.I. where I have been teaching for over 30 years. Our program does not focus primarily on children’s literature. However, I have always had an interest in reading, studying the craft of, writing, and teaching others how to write, for children and those who love them. I am especially fond of picture books.Some of my students have become successful, published authors of children’s books and finally, now that I am approaching retirement, my interest in publishing some of the children’s picture books I have written myself is becoming more serious.Picture Book Perfection: How to Write a Picture Book That Sells to Publishers (And Readers) is a practical, “user friendly” book in the “how-to-genre” so popular today. It is eminently practical and guides you through every stage of the writing process, from the inception of your idea for a book through completion of your manuscript and preparing it for publicationIn addition, when you choose to purchase this invaluable resource, you will receive a bonus—a free self-study workbook, which includes additional exercises.

   Reply

4. Want to be publishing-ready? Well, you will want to start here!
   I received an advanced reader copy of the first version of Picture Book Perfection, and I found it to be a quite informative, engaging, and motivating book for anyone thinking about writing (or publishing) a book in the future. This book absolutely leads the way for anyone that has an inner dream of writing or publishing a book, but they do not know where to start, the entire process, or the steps they should take after they have finished writing their book. Picture Book Perfection takes you from looking at the three most popular markets for children’s book (commercial, educational, gift) to letting you know that you should “always” write with your intended market in mind.This book allows you to think about your story from what type of book you want write, to how to write based on a particular age group, developing the character, Point of view (POV) you want for your character or book, the necessary steps in helping you understand your character, and the breakdown of plot outlines for a picture book. It doesn’t stop there! Picture Book Perfection continues to support your writing journey by explaining what a picture book manuscript should look like, finding an illustrator and all the dos and don’ts of that process, and what to do when you are finished like choosing a publishing option that is “publishing-ready”.I would recommend Picture Book Perfection to anyone considering writing a picture book. This book gives insight into all of the steps that you need to be successful from the beginning of your writing journey all the way to the end (getting published)! If that is your ultimate goal, I would suggest that you get a copy of this book because it will save you a lot of back and forth. It will keep you from asking yourself: why didn’t I know that, why didn’t I think of that, and I wish I had known. Among other private conversations with yourself if you find that you are unsuccessful after several attempts in achieving your writing goals.

   Reply