How to Create A Children's Picturebook: Checklist for Preschool Teachers

I have some experience in creating children's picturebooks over the years as a preschool teacher. Here is a handy checklist if you want to create one yourself. It is an extremely rewarding process, and the true joys come from seeing the children feeling proud of their own work in printed format.

How to Create A Children's Picturebook: Checklist for Preschool Teachers 

Cover Page

Cover page.

This is what folks will see when they contemplate buying the book or picking it up from the library, so it has to stand out and be striking; people judge books by the covers literally. The cover page has to include the title of the book, author, and illustrator. Some books have the awards printed to further entice the reader. Book spines also include the book title.

Endpapers (2)

Endpaper 1.

Endpaper 2.

These are for pasting the pages to the hardcover on hardcover books, but do get creative for this. You can use patterns related to the illustrations in your book, and I have seen picturebooks where they show 1 or 2 different objects, unlike mine, which shows the same objects. I use these for paperback books too.

Copyright Page

Copyright Page.

The copyright page is essential in any book. I also use it for dedication whenever I plan a class project.

Cover Page

Second Cover Page.

This is the second cover page with the title and illustration. It has a different title from the main cover page because my book has 2 stories, and this is the first story.

Pages

Page 1.

Page 2.

Page 3.

Now we move on to the meat and potatoes of the book. These contain words and illustrations to tell the story page by page. Do ensure that your words do not cover the images, and they work together to tell the story. You can do it in multiple ways, but I know of 4 ways to do so.

1. Use text to elaborate more on the images
2. Use images to elaborate more on the text
3. Both text and images tell the same story
4. Text and images tell opposite stories

This is quite self-explanatory, but for point 4, I have seen a book where the text says nothing is going on, but the illustration shows magical beings under the bed. I should mention that I take pride in the work of children; never will I put my words or drawings above their work. I can draw and write better because I am an adult, but what will that do? I am a teacher, and I am here to support their growth and development, not to show off my skills. I play the role of a facilitator in this project.

Endpapers (2)

Endpaper 3.

Endpaper 4.

Back Page

Back Page.

The back page typically includes the ISBN number and barcode. In Singapore, if you are self-publishing your own book, you can get a free ISBN number from the National Library Board (NLB)! If your book has size variations, then you need different numbers.

Apply a new ISBN number

So all in all, make sure you have the following:

• Cover Page
• Endpapers
• Copyright Page
• Pages
• Endpapers
• Back Page

The last point to note is that the total number of pages should be a multiple of 8, so it can be printed without any issues. I have managed to create 56 pages for this book, and if you find yourself missing a few pages, you should brainstorm for ideas and add filler pages. I have tried putting a Word Search with the names of the children in my class. Think of it as bonus content.

It took me many years to learn about book formating so if you feel overwhelmed, it is perfectly normal. Your first book with your class, or your own, will be very difficult to make. But as you move on to your next couple, you will find the process much easier. I leave you one of my favourite quotes that relates to me as a creator.

For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. 

- Ira Glass

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