May 6 - June 3
Online
$499Overview
An Online Course with Pre-recorded & Written Lectures, Writing Exercises, and Live Discussions with Q&A
Are you ready to do a deep, deep dive into picture book structure? This online course with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen features pre-recorded and/or written lectures, along with assignments for each letter of the “Picture Book Alphabet,” plus weekly LIVE Zoom sessions for all of your course related questions and discussion with Sudipta. In addition, Sudipta will offer consultations in small groups during the last two live sessions.
- Pre-recorded lectures released on Fridays before the next live class
- Live sessions via Zoom (with discussion and Q & A) on Tuesdays (May 6, 13, 20, 27 and June 3) from 7:30pm – 8:30pm Eastern
- You will have access to the materials (including recordings) until July 31, 2025
- An optional post-course consultation is available with Sudipta at an additional cost (details below)
- 25 participants max
Why This Workshop?
Are you ready to do a deep, deep dive into picture book structure? If A is for ARC, and Z is for ZILLIONS, just imagine all of the learning that happens in between!
Get ready to read, write, and WORK on all things Picture Book Plotting, from A to Z.
This online course with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen features pre-recorded and/or written lectures, plus assignments for each letter of the “Picture Book Alphabet,” with weekly LIVE Zoom sessions for all of your course-related questions. There will be check-ins and sharing of works-in-progress in the virtual classroom, along with assignments. In addition, Sudipta will offer consultations in small groups during the last two live sessions.
In this course, you will explore every aspect of picture book plotting, including:
- Narrative arc: beginnings, middles, endings
- Components: character, theme, setting, word play, humor, dialogue, description
- Illustration and page turns
- Repetition and word play
In addition, you will:
- Read lessons (Most written, with some pre-recorded video)
- Complete assignments
- Learn about writing query letters and pitching your picture book
- Analyze mentor text sets
- Participate in weekly LIVE Zoom Q & A sessions
This is primarily a self-paced program, with participant engagement happening through weekly Zoom sessions for questions and reflections related to the pre-recorded and written resources.
Feedback Expected
- Weekly Q & A at the LIVE sessions to discuss questions related to written and recorded lectures.
- Weekly sharing and discussions in the virtual classroom.
- In small groups, Sudipta will offer consultations on one project during the last two Live sessions. Students outside of the small groups will engage in peer-to-peer feedback.
- OPTIONAL feedback will be available at an additional cost post-course. After submitting your picture book manuscript, a private session will be scheduled via Zoom to review ideas, suggestions, and next steps. The cost for this optional feedback is $125, and sessions will be scheduled within 4-6 weeks of submission.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You want to write picture books. This in-depth course will ensure that you have a thorough understanding of how to plot a compelling picture book.
- You have written a picture book(s), but aren’t sure it’s ready to submit. Making time for this course means you will learn how to revise and strengthen your story.
- You’ve written a story for children but aren’t sure where it might fit on the shelf. This course will give you a deep understanding, including mentor texts of past and current picture books, and how they differ from other writing for children.
- You work well in a hybrid-learning model with expectations of engaging in all of the course content (including pre-recorded videos and written lectures), and attending the LIVE discussions to ask questions and share examples.
Do I need to have a picture book in progress to take this course? Not at all! If you are in the planning/idea stages, you will still gain valuable insight from this course. Please note that submissions and writing exercises can be adapted to fit your needs.
Tentative Agenda
All Times are Eastern Time. Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
This is primarily a self-paced program, with participant engagement happening through weekly Zoom sessions for questions and reflections related to the pre-recorded and written resources.
Pre-Workshop
- At registration: you will submit a brief survey of your goals, and a summary of where you are on your picture book journey.
- One week before class starts, you will be invited to join the virtual classroom where you will find the Highlights Foundation Community Standards, your course syllabus, and your first set of pre-recorded and written lectures.
Week 1
In the Virtual Classroom:
- Watch welcome video and read lectures on: narrative arc, beginnings & endings, urgency and tension, character
- Work on your first writing assignments
- Preview Highlights Foundation Community Standards
- Familiarize yourself with the discussion board
Tuesday, May 6 at 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Introductions
- Review assignments
- Open Q & A for Resources
Week 2
In the Virtual Classroom:
- Watch this week’s videos and read lectures: dialogue, description, foreshadowing, character problem-solving, hooking the reader, marketing and pitching, humor
- Work on this week’s writing assignments
- Content released on Friday, May 9 by 9am Eastern
Tuesday, May 13Â at 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Open Q & A for Resources
- Sharing from exercise
Week 3
In the Virtual Classroom:
- Watch this week’s videos and read lectures: action, pacing, layout, outlining, analyzing mentor texts, variations on plot constructions
- Work on this week’s writing assignments
- Content released on Friday, May 16 by 9am Eastern
Tuesday, May 20Â at 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Open Q & A for Resources
- Sharing from exercise
- Details on submitting your work for May 27 or June 3 workshopping (plus: how to sign up for your time.)
Week 4
In the Virtual Classroom
- Watch this week’s videos and read lectures: writing good query letters, theme, settings, illustration, using repetition
- Work on this week’s writing assignments
- Content released by Friday, May 23 at 9am Eastern.
Tuesday, May 27 at 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
-
Open Q&A for Resources
-
Small Group sessions with Sudipta
- Peer-to-peer informal feedback session
If you decide not to submit your story, that’s okay! We still encourage you to join the peer-to-peer discussion and work with this picture book community.
Week 5
In the Virtual Classroom
- Watch this week’s videos and read lectures: Visuals, flight check, and final thoughts
- Work on this week’s writing assignments
- Content released by Friday, May 30 at 9am Eastern.
Tuesday, June 3 at 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Open Q&A
- Small Group sessions with Sudipta
- Peer-to-peer informal feedback session
If you decide not to submit your story, that’s okay! We still encourage you to join the peer-to-peer discussion and work with this picture book community.
Post-Course Critique Opportunity (At an Additional Cost)
OPTIONAL feedback will be available at an additional cost post-course. After submitting your picture book manuscript, a private session will be scheduled via Zoom to review ideas, suggestions, and next steps. The cost for this optional feedback is $125, and sessions will be scheduled within 4-6 weeks of submission. We will discuss this opportunity the final week of the course.
Commitment Required for the Best Experience
To get the most out of this online course, you should review the weekly recorded lectures and read the written lectures, attend the LIVE sessions with your questions, and complete the writing exercises. You’ll have access to all of the resources, and the recordings from the LIVE Q & A sessions through July 31, 2025.
The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.
How It Impacts Kids
Picture books are the first entry point for getting children engaged in story, inviting kids to immerse themselves in the stories they hear–and later, the ones they read. This course will help you learn the components of a strong picture book.
Testimonials from Our Community
“Sudipta provided a wealth of information in the coursework and was very generous with her time during office hours. She knows her stuff!”
“Sudipta is a wonderful teacher in person but the online lessons were also great – so much material laid out in a very accessible way. It is clear she put a lot of work and thought into the class.”
“Being able to ask questions any time was great; the Thursday night sessions were very informative.”
“I felt the facilitator and Sudipta did a great job in making us feel we were a mini family where we could learn and share freely.”
Resources
- 3 Questions for Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen about Revising Your Picture Book
- 3 Questions for Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen about Using Humor to Elevate Your Picture Book, Early Reader, or Chapter Book
- A-Z: 26 Ways to Learn the Craft of Picture Books, but How You Apply Them is Up to You
- Picture Books: To Rhyme or Not To Rhyme
- Short and Easy, Right? How Hard Can it Be to Write a Picture Book?
A Welcome from Sudipta:
Looking for an In-Person Experience?
Check out All About Picture Books: A Retreat for Storytellers (hosted by Sudipta and Rob Sanders) at our Retreat Center on June 1-4.
