Registration // Expert Guests // Co-Teachers // Perks & Bonuses // Contributors // Curriculum // FAQs // Testimonials
by popular request, we've created a SELF PACED VERSION of OUR
PHENOMENAL ILLUSTRATION (and Writing) COURSE
COMPLETE WITH AMAZING BONUSES!
We'd love for you to join us!
PHENOMENAL ILLUSTRATION (and Writing) COURSE
COMPLETE WITH AMAZING BONUSES!
We'd love for you to join us!
Hooray, Hooray!!!
Calling All Children's Book Writers and Illustrators!
- Are you a writer wanting to illustrate your own books or would you like to become a better writer by fully understanding how the illustration process works and learning new writing techniques?
- Maybe you're an illustrator or artist who wants to learn to both write and illustrate their own books?
- Or maybe you are a beginning illustrator who can only draw stick figures or a professional illustrator wanting to update your skills to move into new markets?
Then this lively, fun, game-changing e-course is for you! And it's all starting ANY TIME YOU LIKE from the comfort of your own home!
WORK AT YOUR LEVEL AND PACE!
Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned writer or illustrator, JOIN US AND find out why our students say our courses are..."like attending twenty conferences or a prestigious MFA program in one course." And why so many of them either become published or reinvigorate their careers!
Also writers, if you thought you could never illustrate a picture book, take this course and let us prove you wrong so you can possibly enter that most desired niche of author-illustrator!
If you already know about this course and the Academy’s fantastic track record of former students publishing over 700 books and winning EVERY major North American award, REGISTER right now and take advantage of our start today bonuses.
Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned writer or illustrator, JOIN US AND find out why our students say our courses are..."like attending twenty conferences or a prestigious MFA program in one course." And why so many of them either become published or reinvigorate their careers!
Also writers, if you thought you could never illustrate a picture book, take this course and let us prove you wrong so you can possibly enter that most desired niche of author-illustrator!
If you already know about this course and the Academy’s fantastic track record of former students publishing over 700 books and winning EVERY major North American award, REGISTER right now and take advantage of our start today bonuses.
This amazing 5 week course is only $325... and comes with access to our children's book community as well as mini courses!
"Don’t think you can draw? Lack confidence? Feel like giving up? That was me. Taking the Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books course has given me all the tools I need to take myself towards my dream of publication… [The instructors] are industry professionals with priceless knowledge that is shared openly and enthusiastically with all participants. The broad course curriculum is well-structured with plenty of participant interaction to encourage and support one another. I highly recommend this course to anyone, at any artistic level, who wants the best chance of developing their skills in the picture book industry. Big thanks!"
- Kris Sheather (Now Published)
- Kris Sheather (Now Published)
MEET YOUR LOVING CO-TEACHERS
Our Self-Paced CBICB course includes webinars recorded during our 2021 live course co-taught by highly successful illustrators Chantelle & Burgen Thorne, Red Fox Literary Agent Kaitlyn Sanchez, and Clearfork/Spork Editor and Art Director, Dr. Mira Reisberg. All of them have MANY years of experience in the field.
Our Self-Paced CBICB course includes webinars recorded during our 2021 live course co-taught by highly successful illustrators Chantelle & Burgen Thorne, Red Fox Literary Agent Kaitlyn Sanchez, and Clearfork/Spork Editor and Art Director, Dr. Mira Reisberg. All of them have MANY years of experience in the field.
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Dr. Mira Reisberg is a multi-published award-winning children's book illustrator and author whose books have sold over 600,000 copies. Besides running the Children's Book Academy, she is also an acquiring Editor and Art Director at Clear Fork Publishing's children's book imprint Spork. Mira is also a former children's literary agent, and a university professor who taught kid lit writing and illustrating courses as well as teacher ed. She has a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies with a focus on children's literature and has helped MANY writers and illustrators get published. Her job at Spork allows her to help even more people (although of course she can't guarantee that everyone will get published, many of her former students have). While critiques by the "Picture Book Fiary Godmother" aren't included in this course, you may be able to schedule with her personally!
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Kaitlyn Sanchez loves working with both author-only, and author-illustrators, as well. She particularly enjoys character-driven, concept, and creative new format ideas for fiction. Kaitlyn connects with poignant, lyrical writing (rhyme and non-rhyme) as much as laugh out loud humor, and of course, the best are those magical books that mix humor and heart. She also enjoys nonfiction STEAM books and super interesting picture book biographies, especially ones about underrepresented people. Kaitlyn is an editorial agent who works with her clients to optimize their chances for a long, strong and happy career. In her free time, she plays soccer, binge-watches shows on Hulu, and, of course, reads. Kaitlyn LOVES picture books! Especially when she and her husband and daughter all cozy up and read together. Her blog on this website consists of her original pieces, reviews, contests, and author interviews!
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Chantelle and Burgen Thorne are internationally published illustrators with over 25 years experience in publishing. Avid bookworms, they take great delight in the visual storytelling of picture books, art and text working together, every word and every image adding to the reader’s experience. Both have fond memories of being read to as children and this inspires them to make their illustrations as engaging, honest and relevant to young readers as they possibly can! Chantelle and Burgen took this course 3 years ago to help move from Work for Hire Educational publishing to Trade publishing, which pays better and allows more creative freedom. Since then they have illustrated and published seven trade books and their careers are zooming! Including all their education work, Chantelle and Burgen have published OVER ONE THOUSAND CHILDREN'S BOOKS and have tons of experience, wisdom, skills, techniques and heart to share.
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These amazing co-teachers help guide and inspire you on this journey illustrating (and writing if you like) picture books, board books, chapter books, middle grade or graphic novels or creating portfolio pieces (although the primary focus is on picture books – you will also learn about these other areas)!
Here are some of Chantelle & Burgen's published works:
And here are some of the student books Mira has either edited and/or art directed at Spork (including two from Chantelle and Burgen).
THE BONUSES
CBA IS A BUSINESS ON A MISSION DEDICATED TO HELPING OUR STUDENTS CREATE AND PUBLISH FANTASTIC CHILDREN’S BOOKS! For this reason, we also provide a whole bunch of unbeatable START TODAY bonuses (many of which were co-created with former students) to help you succeed and start your creative juices flowing.
CBA IS A BUSINESS ON A MISSION DEDICATED TO HELPING OUR STUDENTS CREATE AND PUBLISH FANTASTIC CHILDREN’S BOOKS! For this reason, we also provide a whole bunch of unbeatable START TODAY bonuses (many of which were co-created with former students) to help you succeed and start your creative juices flowing.
- FREE Fun with Photoshop Course Parts 1 & 2
- FREE Procreate Course
- FREE Fun with Social Media Course
- FREE WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING BOARD BOOKS COURSE
- BONUS CONTENT The Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Picture Books e-Book
- BONUS CONTENT The Little BIG Book of Children's Book Illustration Techniques & Definitions
- FREE Lesson Plans for teachers and homeschooling parents
- BONUS CONTENT for Creating Your Own Graphic Novels
- FREE Awesome Website Building with Weebly Course
- FREE 5 Ways of Making Dummies!!!
- FREE Hand Lettering & Calligraphy Course
- PLUS An EXCLUSIVE Insider Video Tour Led by Brilliant Chronicle Books Editor Melissa Manlove Who Shows and Tells What Really Goes on in a Major Children's Book Publishing House!
OTHER BONUSES INCLUDE:
- Lots of Worksheets, Handouts, Instructions, and Videos for Learning How to Draw and Make Art Traditionally (Beginners) Develop New Moves for More Experienced Artists, and Save Time and Frustration by Using New Technologies Like Procreate and Photoshop
- Wonderful Technique Demonstrations and Studio Visits From Artists Such as Julie Downing, Yuyi Morales, and Lisa Brown
Caldecott Medalist Yuyi Morales
Caldecott Winner Bryan Collier
Julie Downing
Maya Gonzalez
Jim Averbeck
Maria Van Lieshout
Phyllis Harris
Chantelle and Burgen Thorne
Eliza Wheeler |
Caldecott Winner Lane Smith
Caldecott Winner Paul O Zelinsky
Gianna Marino
Bob Staake
Lea Lyon
Sandie Sonke
Lisa Brown
Sandy Bartholomew
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Caldecott Medalist Antoinette Portis
Salina Yoon
Roxie Munro
Jannie Ho
Jorge Lacera
Vincent X Kirsch
John Hendrix
John Seckman |
The following editors, agents, and art directors were generous enough to give their precious time for interviews tailored for Children's Book Academy students.
SO WHAT IS CBICB?
The Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books is a multi-disciplinary course with
- 24/7 access anytime day or night
- Daily in-depth lessons in a variety of formats to suit different learning styles
- One-of-a-kind videos and written interviews with award-winning illustrators, author/illustrators, agents, and art directors
- Weekly inspiring and craft-building homework
- Weekly recorded webinars with past student critiques by our outstanding group of art directors, editors, and agents
- Clear step-by-step instructions and personal guidance including easy-peasy, made-for-you templates, worksheets, video demonstrations, and opportunities to connect with peers through our Mighty Networks classsrooms .
- Plus instructions, insights, publisher submission lists, templates, and worksheets for the business of selling your work and building a lasting career.
Here's Just Some of What You'll Learn Each Week
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Week One: Book Structures, Portfolio Samples and Dummies; Illustration Prompts and Easy Peasy Drawing with Shapes, Thumbnails; Interviews with Awesome Experts!
Week Two: The Hero image, Getting in Character, Transfer Techniques, Watercolors, Figure Drawing, Body Language, Facial Expressions; Setting up Your Studio, Composition, Easy Peasy light and Shade; Incongruence, Critiques, More Interviews!
Week Three: Urban and Nature Settings, World Building Perspective, Tricks for Consistency; Acrylics, Collage, Stamp Making, and Mixed Media; Color Theory, Agents, Reps, Editors, and Art Directors - which one is for me? Writing Your Cover or Query Letter, Critiques, Interviews with Awesome Experts!
Week Four: Drawing and Loving Animals; Glorious Black/White Illustration for Chapter and Middle Grade, Anthropomorphism Pros and Cons; 2nd Visual Stories; Beyond Animals - Unusual Protagonists, Great Animal Characters, The Importance of Showing Emotions and Relationships; Interviews with Awesome Experts!
Week Five: The Art of Submission, Samples, Tear Sheets and Postcards; Publishing, Contracts, Digital Illustration, Easy Peasy Photoshop, Making Connections; The mechanics of printing - 4 Color Process Printing and Bleeds, What makes a bestseller? Social Media for Illustrators, Interviews with Awesome Experts!
Week Six: An extraordinary bonus week of s instant access conference with top illustrators, agents, art directors, and editors.
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WHERE?
Here’s the beauty of it. Even though the Craft and Business of Writing Children’s Picture Books has been described as the equivalent of 20 conferences or a prestigious MFA program, you get to do it in the comfort of your own home in your pajamas, or a café (hopefully not in your pajamas) on vacation or anywhere on your computer, laptop, or tablet where there’s internet! No expensive planes, trains, or automobiles.
HOW?
After you register, you'll receive an email to access your Start Today Courses in Mighty Networks to get you primed and well-set for success.
Unfortunately, because participants receive materials upon registration and our course size is limited, we can’t afford to give refunds. Thank you for understanding.
WHY?
EIGHT REASONS TO JOIN CBA ON THIS CREATIVE JOURNEY
- The best reason to join our Children’s Book Academy community with this course is because of our phenomenal track record of award-winning multi-published students who have studied with us.
- No-one else gives the amount of time, resources, bonuses, personal help, instruction or resources that we do including introductions to editors, art directors, and agents
- Our courses are tremendous fun
- Our courses are incredibly productive and when you are done, you will have:
- Learned new traditional and contemporary art making techniques
- Learned fantastic time-saving and non-mess making digital art techniques
- Created, Revised and/or Polished your Picture Book Dummy or Portfolio pieces
- Spruced up your Bio and Query
- Amped up your Marketing Skills
- And become part of a wonderful lifelong community
FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: What kinds of formats will there be?
A: We will have helpful weekly subject-specific show and tell videos, daily lessons, video interviews with expert course contributors, written lessons, written interviews, step-by-step worksheets, handouts, a secret Community group, and Q&As that are recorded as videos that remain indefinitely available along with the Community group, 2 e-books.
Q: Who will benefit from this class?
A: Anyone who has a passion or interest in writing or illustrating children's picture books.
Q: When does the class start?
A: Self-paced starts whenever you like! For notices on live classes sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/joinCBA
Q: How much will I be investing in this course and how do I pay?
A: $325... a bargain for the massive amount of learning! You can pay through our secure server right here.
Q: When does registration end?
A: It doesn't! You can sign up any time.
Q: I’m primarily a writer, will this course be relevant for me?
A: While the primary focus of the course is illustrating children's picture books, you will learn a ton of helpful information about both writing and illustrating, which may increase your chances of publication as a much desired author/illustrator, a solo illustrator, or a solo author.
Q: What will I need?
A: Computer and Internet access, a great attitude and open mind, and a willingness to play with art, language and ideas. You'll need a way to make art, too! That could be a digital tablet with an art program, collage media, paints, or simply a nice pencil and pad of paper.
Q: What do I do if I have further questions?
A: You can call Mira directly CALIFORNIA time at 503.256.0152 or email mira@childrensbookacademy.com with "Children's Picture Book Course Question" in the subject head
Q: Do you offer refunds?
A: Sorry, there are no refunds. Because we give bonus passwords at the time of purchase, it is impossible to offer refunds.
And if you are still nervous about taking this course, please read the testimonials in the slideshow below. If you need more time to read them, simply hover over the slideshow below the videos to bring up the pause button or advance or return buttons at any time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: What kinds of formats will there be?
A: We will have helpful weekly subject-specific show and tell videos, daily lessons, video interviews with expert course contributors, written lessons, written interviews, step-by-step worksheets, handouts, a secret Community group, and Q&As that are recorded as videos that remain indefinitely available along with the Community group, 2 e-books.
Q: Who will benefit from this class?
A: Anyone who has a passion or interest in writing or illustrating children's picture books.
Q: When does the class start?
A: Self-paced starts whenever you like! For notices on live classes sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/joinCBA
Q: How much will I be investing in this course and how do I pay?
A: $325... a bargain for the massive amount of learning! You can pay through our secure server right here.
Q: When does registration end?
A: It doesn't! You can sign up any time.
Q: I’m primarily a writer, will this course be relevant for me?
A: While the primary focus of the course is illustrating children's picture books, you will learn a ton of helpful information about both writing and illustrating, which may increase your chances of publication as a much desired author/illustrator, a solo illustrator, or a solo author.
Q: What will I need?
A: Computer and Internet access, a great attitude and open mind, and a willingness to play with art, language and ideas. You'll need a way to make art, too! That could be a digital tablet with an art program, collage media, paints, or simply a nice pencil and pad of paper.
Q: What do I do if I have further questions?
A: You can call Mira directly CALIFORNIA time at 503.256.0152 or email mira@childrensbookacademy.com with "Children's Picture Book Course Question" in the subject head
Q: Do you offer refunds?
A: Sorry, there are no refunds. Because we give bonus passwords at the time of purchase, it is impossible to offer refunds.
And if you are still nervous about taking this course, please read the testimonials in the slideshow below. If you need more time to read them, simply hover over the slideshow below the videos to bring up the pause button or advance or return buttons at any time.
But don’t just believe us. Here are some of our lovely testimonials...
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"I wholeheartedly recommend the Craft and Business of Illustrating Children’s Picture Books to beginning illustrators as well as those more advanced. I’d already taken a few online courses for illustrating children’s books (through other schools) before this one, and what stands out for me about this one…is the sheer volume of information you receive, in many different, understandable and helpful formats. Through video, text, live critiques, community, worksheets, homework and more you’ll certainly learn everything you need to know about how to make it as an illustrator in this field. The golden ticket opportunity…at the end of the course, where you get to submit work to industry professionals…is the icing on the cake and is so very valuable. It is absolutely evident what a wonderful teacher and person Mira is, pouring her heart and soul into her courses. She goes above and beyond to ensure the success of her students." Anika A. Wolf (Now Published)
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If you need more reassurance, just click through the slideshow below.
