Helen stephens stood in her art studio eating a cracker and cheese, her favourite studio snack.

Hello Picture Book Makers,

This is where you will find all the goodies to get you feeling creative!

Favourite deadline snack: crackers and cheese.

All these goodies come free when you sign up for my newsletter: Pencil Pals.

Books For Picture Book Makers

A photo of a book open on a table with childrens book illustrations by Brian Wildsmith.

For people who would like to make picture books, or for those who already do, I’ve made a list of books packed with advice on everything from finding your own voice, to getting published.

Reading List for 7-10 Year Olds

A photo of a stick of paper back books to read with children.

These books have become firm favourites in our house. We read them again and again, and buy them for friends and family.

Picture Book Layout

A phot of a print out of a picture book layout, with a dip pen and ink beside it.

Are you planning to write and illustrate a picture book? One of the best ways to plan your book is to make a storyboard. This is a downloadable template which you can print out and scribble your story into shape.

You could even print it out large and make a dummy book. Show me on Instagram, I’m nosy!

Picture Book Reading List

A photo of a pile of picture books for children.

These are just a few of our family favourites from when Pie was small.

Sketchbooking Tips

A photo of a sketchbook with a piece of paper sticking out that says Sketchbooking Tips. There are three drawing pens beside the sketchbook.

Here’s a sneaky peak at some of my top tips: get uncomfortable, bring the wrong stuff, stop before you’re finished.

‘Oh Helen is sooo wise.’

(a made up testimonial from a happy sketcher).

Print it out and stick it in the back of your sketchbook, then you’ll always know, ‘Oh, I have Helen with me, I’d better think on and look sharp.’ Share your sketchbook, with the tips stuck in the back, at #walktosee

The Good Ship Illustration
Picture Book Course

I made you a picture book course!

  • Want to create books that small people and their grown-ups absolutely love?

  • Curious to see if there’s a your-picture-book-shaped hole in the world?

Good news… there IS!

The world *needs* your picture book.

Salty is ready to set sail with you on an 8-week adventure…