Picture Book Magic with George Ella Lyon
In this two-part, six-hour workshop, we will look at what a picture book is and how it works. An expansive genre, picture books extend from lap-sitters and independent readers and include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and biography. They are also highly concentrated in feeling, sound, rhythm, and movement.
In our first session, the focus on how they do this and how you can explore your picture book material.
In our second gathering, we look at revision. You’ll take the draft you’ve written in our two-week break and make a dummy to share, fast-forwarding the creative process to let you experience different steps.
There will be plenty of time for questions, stories, laughter, & tears. Writing for children requires the same honesty and depth of emotion as writing for adults. As Newbery medalist Paula Fox tells us, “Children are not a race apart, but ourselves when new.”
Your Instructor: George Ella Lyon writes in multiple genres for readers of all ages. She has published five poetry collections, a novel and memoir for adults, novels and poetry for young people, and thirty-two picture books. Among her honors are the Golden Kite Award, ALAs Schneider Family Book Award, the Aesop Award, Cybils Award for Poetry, New York Times Best Books for Teens, Best Books for Babies, and she was a finalist for the Printz Award. Her most recent titles include VOICES OF JUSTICE: Poems About People Working for a Better World (Holt, 2020 and TIME TO FLY (Atheneum 2022). Her poem “Where I’m From” has gone around the world as a writing model. She has served as Kentucky Poet Laureate (2015-2016) and was recently inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame. Lyon is married to musician/ writer Steve Lyon. They have two sons, two grandchildren, two cats, and a very multicultural yard.”
*discounted fee for farmers
Current Offerings
This workshop may be returning Summer 2027. Join our mailing list to be notified of new dates.
*Reduced-rate scholarships are available for farmers and residents of Henry County.
In-person only
2 Saturdays, 1:00pm-4:00pm
$75*
Limit 12 participants
*includes a GEL children’s book
