Breaking Up ...
Crafting Page Turners & Picture-Perfect Moments
Well, here we are—another update from the chaotic world of Clara and Claude and my latest brain-melting journey into picture book territory. The stage is set, the words are in place (mostly), and I’ve hit that beautiful, slightly terrifying point in the process where I’m sketching out the page layouts.
I’ve officially bought myself a little sketchbook (which I like to pretend is my actual book, obviously), and now I’m working through the big puzzle: How do I break up the text? How do I make sure that each page is an exciting, mini adventure of its own, while still feeling part of the larger story? And more importantly, how do I make sure each page turn is a moment?
There’s so much more to think about than I initially imagined! It’s a little like trying to design the world’s most whimsical and intricate jigsaw puzzle, but with the added stress of figuring out if the pieces are even the right shape in the first place.
Page Turns—The Drama of Anticipation
One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot is how to create that moment—that feeling when the reader flips the page and is instantly hooked into what’s coming next. It’s not just about making things look pretty (though that’s fun too, of course), it’s about pacing. How can you have enough of a visual and narrative cliffhanger to make kids desperate to see what happens next? How do you make sure that your illustration and the text pair up in such a way that turning the page feels like the best kind of suspense?
The stakes are high—Clara might be off on some grand adventure, but let’s be honest, it’s the snacks that are keeping this whole thing together.
Breaking Up the Text: No One Wants a Wall of Words
One of the hardest things I’m figuring out is how to break up the text in a way that doesn’t overwhelm the reader. How much text is too much? When do I give the words a little breather and let the illustration take over? I know my readers (aka little humans) are not going to want to sit through a novel on every page, so how do I keep it punchy, concise, and compelling without leaving too much out? Do I let the pictures do the talking, or does every page need a narrative to keep things moving?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! How do you think about the balance between text and illustration in a picture book? Do you find yourself drawn to books with more text or more illustrations? Or do you like a perfect blend of both?
Creating the Perfect Page Turn (No Pressure, Right?)
With Clara and Claude, I can already picture the big moments—the page turns that will make you gasp, giggle, or at the very least, want to eat a snack (let’s face it, snacks are key). But there are so many little moments too. How do you make sure the quieter, slower moments of the story are just as impactful? When it’s not a cliffhanger or action-packed scene, how do you keep the energy flowing and the reader engaged?
For example, maybe Clara is having an argument with Claude about something ridiculous (like whether or not waffles are a suitable breakfast for a dragon). It’s funny, but it’s not an explosive scene. So, how do I still make it work on the page? Do I focus more on the details in the illustrations, like Claude’s side-eye as he refuses to share his waffles? Or do I break the text into bite-sized chunks, so it feels lighter and more fun?
Let’s Get Interactive! Questions for You, My Brilliant Readers
I’m clearly knee-deep in this world-building, sketching madness, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on all of this:
When it comes to picture books, what’s your personal sweet spot for the balance between text and illustration? Do you love seeing the pictures speak for themselves or prefer to have a little more context through text?
How do you feel about page turns? Do you enjoy the anticipation of something exciting happening, or do you love the quieter, more reflective moments? How do you keep those interesting?
Do you think the illustrations should sometimes tell their own mini story, separate from the text? How do you decide when to let the pictures do the talking versus when to lean on the text?
And of course, which page turn would you be dying to see if you were reading Clara and Claude? (Is it a dragon-related cliffhanger? A snack-related dilemma? The suspense is killing me!)
I’m deep into figuring this all out, so I’d love to hear your thoughts as I move forward. Your feedback always keeps me grounded in reality (or in this case, the wonderfully chaotic world of Clara and Claude).
Next time, I’ll be giving you a sneak peek of my first sketch page! Yes, really—get ready for some sketchy goodness (pun intended).
Until next time—keep sketching, keep imagining, and remember... even dragon adventurers need a nap.
Kim
P.S. Don’t forget to let me know your answers to these questions! I’m getting a little stuck on figuring this all out, so your input would mean the world.