June Sobel is the author of several picture books for children, including B IS FOR BULLDOZER (Harcourt, 2003 ISBN-10: 0152022503), THE GOODNIGHT TRAIN (Harcourt, 2006 ISBN-10: 0152054367 ), and SHIVER ME LETTERS (Harcourt, 2006, ISBN-10: 0152167323).
Picture books are a specific genre in children's literature. These books are written for young children, but are often read aloud by adults. To keep child’s interest, the words and the illustrations must interact in an engaging manner. The words must flow so both the reader and the listener can be entertained. The creation of a picture book is a unique art form. An effective picture book is a perfect balance of text and illustration. Whether you are a parent learning more about books for children, or an aspiring author or illustrator, it is important to understand that picture books may be easy to read, but they are not easy to write or illustrate.
Read On as June Shares Her Creative Experiences as a Writer
How did you come up with the idea to write a Pirate ABC book?
June Sobel: After B IS FOR BULLDOZER was published, I decide to write an alphabet book about pirates. Lots of messy first drafts followed until I latched to working off a play on words. The pirate expression "Argh" sounds like the letter "R." From that concept, I built a story around a band of pirates who only have an R and seek to capture the rest of the alphabet.
Did you see any of the illustrations before the book was published?
June Sobel: I was fortunate to have a generous editor at Harcourt, Kate Harrison, who included me in the illustration process all the way to final publication. I admired Henry Cole's work long before he agreed to illustrate my manuscript. His interpretation of my text delighted and surprised me. I never imagined my band of pirates to be animals. Our collaboration led to a couple of rewrites along the way resulting in a seamless meshing of pictures and words.
What are the challenges of writing a picture book?
June Sobel: Writing a simple book is a difficult task. Picture books must please the parents and teachers as well as the children listening to the story. Every word counts. Every sentence must be a page turner and inspire the illustrator's vision. "Again" is the word a picture book author longs to hear. It is formidable challenge to create a book that begs to read again and again.
To learn more about June Sobel and her books, please visit her web site June Sobel's web site.
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