CHILDREN’S PICTURE STORYBOOK ASSIGNMENT
November 1, 2014
You must include the following elements in your children’s book:
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A cover with a title and illustration
Clear, easy to read text with no spelling or grammatical errors
You can write an historical fiction book (A fully developed plot, including setting,
conflict, and theme) or an information book.
A glossary of at least 7 vocabulary word and their definitions
A minimum of 3 different sources must be used to gather the information.
Topics:
Looking at:
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Medieval Life (castles, knights, serfs)
The Medieval Church
Crusades
Publishing Tips
Keep these tips in mind as you prepare to write the final copy and publish your
children’s picture book.
Text tips:
• You should follow this order for creating your “bestseller”:
1. Write down all of the notes you want to put into story form.
2. Put the information into a logical order that flows well.
3. Write the story after you have organized the info in the desired order.
4. Proofread and edit the text.
5. Have another person edit it as well before placing it in the final copy of your
book. The short, compact nature of children’s picture books does not leave
room for error. Even one mistake in the text can ruin the entire work.
6. Find or create images that reinforce the text on each page.
7. Write good copy.
 Sources that were used to gather the information for the text must be included
in the works cited (Bibliography) page.
Illustration tips:
• If you are not using original works of art (ones you created) You MUST give
credit to the creator.
CHILDREN’S PICTURE STORYBOOK ASSIGNMENT
November 1, 2014
Grading Rubric for the Children’s Picture Storybook
6
Cover
4
2
Title and illustration on
cover clearly relate to
the story and entice
readers to pick up the
book.
There are no grammar
or spelling errors
anywhere in the work.
Title and illustration
clearly relate to the
story.
Title and illustration are
poorly done or do not
relate to the story.
Two-four grammar or
spelling errors occur in
the work.
Five or more grammar
or spelling errors occur
in the work.
Story
Development
The story flows very,
includes a great amount
of valuable factual
information on the topic
and is clearly developed.
The main idea of the
story is developed
throughout the book.
The story is not clearly
developed. It goes off
topic or has limited
information.
The Illustrations’
Support of the
story
The illustrations help
present the plot
throughout all areas in
the work.
The story flows well,
however there could be
more information on the
topic. The main idea of
the book is maintained
throughout the book.
There may be some
unnecessary
information.
The illustrations help
present the plot in a
majority of areas
throughout the work.
Length
The length is not fewer
than 10 pages including
cover page and works
cited.
At least 7 vocabulary
words are included from
the original story and
are defined in a
glossary.
Student used more than
the required number of
sources and all sources
are cited correctly on a
works cited page.
The length is not fewer
than 8 pages. Required
pages may have been
missing.
At least 5 vocabulary
words are included from
the original story and
are included in a
glossary.
Student cited sources
used, however they
were not cited correctly.
The length is fewer than
6 pages.
Conventions x2
(Grammar and Spelling)
Glossary
Citing
NOTES:
The illustrations help
present the plot in only
a minority of areas
throughout the work.
Fewer than 4 vocabulary
words are included and
defined in a glossary.
No works cited page was
included with the book.
/48
CHILDREN’S PICTURE STORYBOOK ASSIGNMENT
November 1, 2014
Tips for Writing a Children’s Picture Storybook
Definition
Children’s Picture Storybook—A work written for children that uses both text and illustrations to
present a simple plot.
Format
Picture storybooks are very visual with limited text (max. 30 words per page). The picture that is
on the page reinforces the text that is on the page.
Text
• The text of a children’s book should be organized into simple sentences and short
paragraphs.
• The use of active verbs will keep the story vivid in the reader’s mind.
• Children’s book authors employ literary tools to help make the story more vivid in the
reader’s mind. Rhythm, alliteration, repetition, refrains, onomatopoeia, simile,
personification, rhyme, and imagery are commonly used devices.
• Consider ending each page with a question or other method that sparks the reader’s
curiosity for what will happen next.
• Repeating a phrase throughout the story will help hold your reader’s attention.
• Use a question at the end of the page to help move your reader to the next page.
Illustrations
• Some picture books have an illustration on the front cover that presents the main conflict or
point of the story.
• The illustrations are usually created after the text has been written.
• Illustrations serve as a partner to the text.