How to Make a Book (about My Dog)

  • Interest Level: Grade 1 - Grade 4
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

How do you make a picture book? Well, you need an author, an illustrator, and . . . a dog?!

Acclaimed author Chris Barton and his trusty pooch Ernie show readers how to make a nonfiction picture book . . . about Ernie! From coming up with ideas, researching, and writing a first draft to finding the perfect illustrator, deciding what goes on the cover, and getting every last wrod—er, word—just right, you’ll see how a book is made from beginning to end.

From acquisitions and editing to graphic design and dog treats, find out what’s required to bring a book to life. This title perfectly blends how-to and humor for an informative look at book publishing. And look, this is part of the marketing step!

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978-1-5415-8128-9
$14.99
978-1-7284-3620-3
$24.99
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Interest Level Grade 1 - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Picture Books
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction
Copyright 2021
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 40
Publication Date 2021-10-05
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF063000, JNF011000, JNF029010
Dewey 808.02
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Lexile 750
Guided Reading Level U
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Original artwork, and Reviewed

Author: Chris Barton

Chris Barton is the author of acclaimed nonfiction picture books including Dazzle Ships, Whoosh!, and What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?. His books have won several awards including a Sibert Honor for The Day-Glo Brothers and an Orbis Pictus Recommended for All of a Sudden and Forever. Chris lives in Austin, Texas, with his family.

Illustrator: Sarah Horne

Sarah Horne grew up in snowy Derbyshire, UK, with some goats and a brother. She then decided to be sensible and studied illustration at Falmouth College of Arts and earned a Masters degree at Kingston University. Sarah has written and/or illustrated numerous books for children and has also worked on commissions for The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Kew Gardens, Sesame Street, and for IKEA as their Children's Illustrator In Residence. She now draws, paints, writes, and giggles from underneath a pile of paper at her studio in London.

Awards

  • Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List, Winner, 2024
  • Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2022
  • Cybils Nominee, Nominated, 2021

Reviews

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“A gem of a book.” –Children’s Literature

Publishers Weekly

“[A]spiring authors will find the volume intriguing.”—Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

“A master class in how to make a picture book.”—Kirkus Reviews

Booklist

“[G]eneral readers and budding authors will still come away strongly impressed by the everyday miracle that is the book in their hands.”—Booklist