The Long Life Of Picture Books

Last night, both children's book organisations I belong to were holding events at the same time in London. The SCBWI Professional Series had a Picture Book Intensive with Associate publisher at Little Tiger Press. Fellow member, Candy Gourlay says she will be filling us in on this event on her blog sometime soon! Notes From The Slushpile.

The Children's Book Circle held an event discussing the Death Of The Picture Book - My Arse! with Wayne Winstone, Bookseller and champion of picture books presenting facts and figures to prove that this genre has a long life. This is a list of Waterstones' top 10 bestsellers from a long list of new and established authors who provide a rich backlist of titles.


1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Picture Puffin)by Eric Carle was number 1 in Waterstones' bestselling picture books in the last year. It was first published in 1970 by Hamish Hamilton. Each title in the top four sold over 20,000 copies. I noted down the top 15 but I started to wonder what Amazon's UK bestselling list looked like so I have just listed the top 10.
2.The Gruffaloby Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler (first published in 1999).
3. We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury (1989 Smarties Prize winner).
4. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. First published in 1963.
5. Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort (2007) - Richard and Judy Book Club winner.
6. The Gruffalo Child by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler (2004)
7. Charlie Cook's Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler(2005)
8. Say Hello To The Baby Animals by Ian Whybrow and Edward Eaves(2006)
9. Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister (1992)
10. Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown llustrations by Tomi Ungerer (1964)

Aliens love Underpants is currently Amazon's no.1. The most popular author/illustrator team is Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler with 4 titles in their top 15 picture books (not including TV tie-in titles). There is an exciting looking new title in their list that I haven't read yet - The Night Pirates by Peter Harris(author) & Deborah allwright(Illustrator).




So what is it that makes these picture books so successful? These are the strengths Wayne Winstone sees in the Waterstones' top titles.

1. Good to read aloud (and the text works on its own when read out loud).
2. Good relationship between the text and illustrations.
3. Repetition in the language.
4. Strong themes and characters.
5. Striking Cover and illustrations.
6. Plenty of detail throughout.
7. Good Story.

These are elements that author/illustrators strive for to make the perfect picture book but it seems that these alone will not ensure a bestseller.

We must think beyond being published!

As author/illustrators we can promote our books in the high street book store by taking part in book events and offering workshops with our prospective readers. 70% of sales are from promoted titles, so getting picture books in the media is a bonus.
Richard and Judy's Children's Book Club has increased sales of featured picture books, Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort and Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae.



Children's Laureate, Michael Rosen is one of the many authors behind The Big Picture the national campaign to enhance the status of picture books in the UK.

There will always be children learning to read and with a new reader every 5 years, the picture book looks set for a long life ahead.