November isn’t just the time when everyone gears up for the holidays. It’s also the month when children’s book writers and illustrators are the most creative and busy. Why is that? It’s because November is dedicated to picture books and picture book ideas.
PiBoIdMo Ice Skating Illustration by Katya
This year, KidLit TV has been invited to guest blog for two major picture book month challenges: PiBoIdMo and Picture Book Month. You can find our features in the StoryMakers section of KidLit TV, on Tara Lazar’s blog and on the Picture Book Month website, as well. So get your pens, pencils, computers and notepads ready, because this month will be filled with creative inspiration and nonstop excitement!
PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month)
*Look for Julie and Katya’s posts on the 14th & 17th!
What is PiBoIdMo? As Tara Lazar had said in our interview with her at the RUCCL conference this year, there are many ways to say PiBoIdMo. But however you pronounce it, PiBoIdMo means the same thing. PiBoIdMo stands for Picture Book Idea Month. It’s a challenge that’s similar to 30-day NaNoWriMo, but is dedicated exclusively to picture books.
Tara established PiBoIdMo in 2008. She hosted it on her amazing blog for the first time in 2009. After that, PiBoIdMo took off like a rocket. To date, there have been more than 1,300 registered participants, with 800 writers completing the 30-ideas-in-30-days challenge by 2014.
During this challenge, participants generate 30 picture book concepts in 30 days. You can come up with any idea. They can be as silly or serious as you’d like them to be. The objective of this challenge is to “heighten your picture-book-idea-generating senses.”
Throughout the month, Tara’s site features daily blog posts from picture book authors, illustrators, editors and other kidlit professionals. Every post is designed to inspire PiBoIdMo challenge participants.
Registration begins every year in late October and continues into the first week of November. After the event is finished in early December, participants who completed the challenge are asked to “take the PiBoIdMo Winner’s Pledge” and declare that they ended the month with 30 or more ideas.
“It’s on the honor system. Participants do not have to post their ideas. In fact, I urge them not to!” —Tara Lazar
Another awesome part about this challenge is that writers who register and complete it will be eligible for prizes. And the prizes are the sort that picture book writers dream of!
- Feedback from literary agents
- Original art by picture book illustrators
- Picture book critiques from published authors and editors
- Signed picture books
- Bookish jewelry
- Other cool writerly stuff
Tara Lazar has promised that PiBoIdMo will be free and will continue to remain free for all who participate. She only asks that in return they support her books in any way they can. Who wouldn’t? Tara Lazar is one fantastic author who you can spot in a crowd a mile away! It’s no surprise that her picture books are top notch.
Picture Book Month
*Look for Julie’s post on the 15th!
Founded by author and storyteller Dianne de Las Casas, Picture Book Month is an “international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November.” It was co-founded by Katie Davis, Elizabeth O. Dulemba, Tara Lazar and Wendy Martin.
Throughout the month of November, there will be new posts from a picture book champions explaining why they believe picture books are important. Be sure to support Picture Book Month and its cool mission to:
Read * Share * Celebrate!
Two great events that taste great together!
(Oh wait, that’s chocolate and peanut butter…)
I tried to register for this but I don’t think I’m registered.
Lovin’ that KidLit TV is a direct component to these two great events! :D