So you need a good idea for a strong picture book story. Just how do you find an idea and, more importantly, test that it is a good one that children will love? Picture book ideas might come from everyday life, but they must be shaped into something unique, child-focused, and visual. Not every idea is book-worthy, but many can be developed into stronger stories. Freshness and surprise often come from combining the unexpected with emotional or funny truths. There are many places your story idea could come from. Real-life observations: funny conversations, interesting sights, children’s questions, or misunderstandings. Misheard words: “zebra crossing” becomes “zebra’s crossing.” Emotional memories: fear of the dark, wanting to be brave, losing a favourite toy. Asking What-if questions: "What if socks could talk?" "What if the moon got lost?" Daydreams, doodles, overheard children’s chatter—all are idea goldmines.

Start keeping an ideas notebook and jot down anything that sparks curiosity or delight, and any sudden ideas that come to you. Go to a local bookstore or library and take a look at some recently published picture books. What kind of characters are popular? How does the author develop the plot, and is the ending surprising or funny?

What is really important once you have your own idea is to ask yourself, “Is my idea strong enough?” This means asking yourself: Is it child-centered? (Would a child relate to or care about this?)  Is it visual? (Can you imagine an illustrator having fun with it?) Is there a clear emotional arc or journey for the main character to go on so that they change in some way? Does it have the potential for a strong ending? Has it been done before? (If yes, can you do it differently?)

 Strong ideas often combine a relatable emotional truth (e.g., wanting a friend) with a surprising or funny premise (e.g., trying to befriend your shadow or a cloud). You can strengthen an idea by adding surprise, humour, or heart. Think about contrast and contradiction: a scared warrior, a forgetful elephant, a pirate who’s afraid of water. Mixing emotional stakes with humour: laughter and tears are powerful partners. Use the Rule of Three: a set pattern in many picture book stories where a character may try to resolve a problem three times and then…the pattern breaks for a surprise or humorous climax. Add a visual twist: the story is about a lion, but the pictures reveal it’s a kitten pretending to be fierce.

Try this exercise: Think up five potential picture book ideas quickly – don’t overthink, just jot down anything that comes to you. Choose the three that feel most plausible and exciting. Then, for each idea, ask these questions: What is the emotional core? What is the visual hook? What is the child-focused angle? Now pick your favourite and try writing a one-sentence pitch.

Remember that good picture books will resonate with adults too, without losing their child focus.