Monday 7 October 2019

That's a lot of blog posts on writing and illustrating children's picture books • Paeony Lewis


Wow, I've been blogging at the Picture Book Den since it began almost eight years ago, but now that I've started an MA in Fine Art it's time to take an extended break. So to say farewell, I thought I'd list my main blog posts (see further down) and do click on those that appeal. They're on writing, illustration and the world of children's picture books.




The statistics on the viewing figures for my different blog posts intrigued me. I discovered the blog post viewed the most was on the picture book differences between bookshop chains in the US and UK. This was written in 2016 and had several thousand more views than my least popular post (that's a secret!). I suspect the viewing figures increased because of the US reference (there's many more of you in the US than UK).


If you're new to writing picture books then perhaps begin with the 2018 Starting to write picture books and also What's at the heart of a picture book?,  which although written in 2013 includes vital advice that is often forgotten.

As for my personal favourite, well of course I'm going to say it's impossible to pick one but... My blog post on the convoluted journey of one particular story still makes me smile and I hope it encourages others to persevere with their writing. I also really enjoyed looking at illustration, such as investigating dioramas and 3D illustration in picture books.


List of Blog Posts (newest first)
I'm really going to miss being a regular part of the wonderful Picture Book Den. Thank you to all my brilliant fellow writers and illustrators, and all you lovely readers.
Bye for now, Paeony
PS I'm still writing, when not enmeshed in book arts and conceptual art.

For books: www.paeonylewis.com
For art: www.paeony-lewis.com

    11 comments:

    Moira Butterfield said...

    Good luck with your MA and thank you for sharing your vast knowledge of illustrated books. My favourite was the one with night pictures. I'd love to a book with different types of night/water illustration etc.

    Paeony Lewis said...

    Many thanks, Moira. I really enjoyed researching the night illustrations, and sea illustrations too. I look forwad to your book containing water and the night/moonlight (just remembered how much the sea glows under the moonlight in the classic 1994 The Big Big Sea,Waddell/Eachus).

    Moira Butterfield said...

    That's a book for you to write, Paeony! I want to see it! It would be great for illustrators.

    Lynne Benton said...

    Good luck with everything, Paeony!

    David McMullin said...

    Thanks for all the posts here on the blog. Good luck with the MA!

    Penny Dolan said...

    Good wishes, energy and strength for the MA. Hope you have a wonderful adventure with it all.

    Paeony Lewis said...

    Thanks, Lynne! x

    Paeony Lewis said...

    I need that luck, thanks, David.

    Paeony Lewis said...

    Right now I'm panicking, Penny, but I'm sure it will all turn out well. Thanks!

    Andrea Mack said...

    Best of luck on your MA work! Thanks for this list...I will definitely take a look!

    Paeony Lewis said...

    Thanks, Andrea. Hope you find something of interest - it's an eclectic mix!