The Function of Storyboarding in Picture Book Creation

Creativity and Inspiration, Editing and Writing, Industry Advice

A storyboard for a picture book is a page-by-page visual blueprint of the entire book. It functions as a master plan, combining rough sketches or illustration prompts with the corresponding story text to show how the narrative will unfold across the 32 (or more) pages. The storyboard is filled in by the author, illustrator, or both with the following key elements:

  • Thumbnail sketches or art notes: Instead of detailed illustrations, a storyboard uses small, rough drawings (thumbnails) for each page or two-page spread. The goal is to establish the core composition, character placement, and action of the scene, rather than fine art. Alternatively, in the early stages, the author can include illustration prompts to describe the desired final illustration.
  • Text placement: Below or alongside each sketch or illustration prompt, the exact portion of the manuscript that will appear on that page is written out. This ensures a clear relationship between the words and the images.

The Benefits of Storyboarding

A storyboard helps the author plan the pacing of the book, what happens on each page, and what is revealed with each page turn. In picture books, the images often tell parts of the story that the words do not, and storyboarding is where this interplay is developed.

A storyboard also provides a low-stakes way to identify problems early. If the storyboard indicates that a scene is visually boring, a sequence of events is confusing, or there is too much text on one page, it’s much easier to redraw a small sketch than to rework a finished illustration.

Unless the author is also the illustrator, the storyboard is the primary tool for communication. It ensures both creators share a unified vision for the final book.

In essence, storyboarding is a valuable tool in picture book creation, providing clarity, flexibility, and collaboration throughout the process. By thoughtfully mapping out both text and imagery, creators can craft more engaging, visually dynamic stories that resonate with young readers. If you’d like to start your own storyboard, just get in touch with us and we’ll send you a free worksheet to help you out.