The subtitle of Loreen Leedy’s 2004 picture book Look at my Book: How Kids Can Write and Illustrate Terrific Books makes it sound like it is only for kids, but honestly, this would work as a good introduction to writing fiction (especially illustrated fiction) for all ages. It is clear, organized, and engaging, and it provides good guidance on how to write and illustrate books–and illustrates those tips.
For example, in the two-page spread on ideas, readers get direct suggestions on how to come up with ideas, but it also shows different characters (mostly human, one dog) generating ideas. Not only are their ideas different–the dog and the humans don’t plan stories about the same sorts of things–each character uses a different technique to generate ideas, and/or shifts among different methods. We get to see them asking questions, making lists, drawing, mindmapping, and so on.
The book moves from initial invitation /opening on writing books, through ideas and genres, on to characters, plan, and so on. It guides readers through the stages of revision and editing. It then moves on the aspects of creation specific to illustrated books: format, layout, lettering & binding, and art (which gets four pages, rather than the two most other topics get).
This is better than many books for adults on creating picture books.
In fact, I really have only two concerns/caveats. First, plot gets only part of one page (as part of planning), and the discussion is a bit brief and simple. Second, writing and then illustrating in a strictly linear fashion leaves out the possibility (even likelihood) that there would be interplay–for example, realizing that a chunk of text can be cut because the illustrations communicate an idea.
But these are quibbles. Good stuff.
