At The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we champion children’s literature and the incredible creators who bring stories to life. We also strive to demystify publishing and provide insight into the creative process. Since April is our month of magical worlds, we’re diving deep into world-building for picture books—an essential skill that helps transport young readers into captivating settings full of wonder and imagination.
To help you build engaging and immersive worlds in your picture books, we spoke with Cynthia Di Filippo Elomaa, an indie picture book author and experienced editor. She shared valuable insights into how to craft vibrant settings that enhance storytelling and spark a child’s imagination.
What are the key elements of world-building in picture books, and how do they differ from novels?
C: Language, theme, character, and imagery!
Language: There are many types of picture books. Some picture books are great for children to read by themselves while learning to read, others are great for children to read to. It really all depends on what type of picture book you want to create. While writing my Nicky’s Very Messy Room, it was important to me that the children understand all the words in the story. There is nothing worse than reading a story to a child and having to stop the story in order to explain a word to a child. So, language to me was very important. You want the child to enjoy and get lost in the story, not ask questions about words that are too hard for them to understand. If a child understands all the words in the story, when they are starting to learn to read, they are more likely to pick up that picture book and try reading it themselves.
Theme: There are countless themes a story can concentrate on. In today’s society, the need for themes that were never discussed before with children now have to be addressed. When creating a picture book, there is a fine line between knowledge and needing to know, and this should not be addressed. There are many issues going on in today’s world that young children should not have to be exposed to, yet they are. I had one father ask me at a craft fair if, at the end of my picture book, he was going to find out that the mother or someone in the story was gay, or on drugs, or some other issue he did not want his child exposed to. These are real concerns and should be addressed, but not in picture books.
Picture book themes should cover social & emotional development in a safe, fun way. Learning about kindness, caring for animals, sharing, learning not to give up, and being brave are the types of themes we want our children to learn in books. Themes need to be child-friendly, at their level.
Character(s): There are so many fun lovable characters in picture books. Not every character needs to be the nice guy, you can and should have some villains. Even the Smurfs had villains, but even the villains need to be harmless, and can not be scary. All characters need to develop in a story. Flat characters are not realistic, we don’t learn from them. Children need to see a character they can relate to. When a child sees a character they can relate to, that is when true learning takes place. They start to be like that character, wearing clothes that have the character’s image or name on it. This is a special time. When a child identifies with that character and wants to be like them, it gives the parent, caregiver, and author the chance to teach a child. For example, if the child is scared of the monsters under the bed, wouldn’t it be great if their favorite character were going through the same thing? How did their favorite character deal with it?
Imagery: The illustrations of a picture book really depend on the storyline and the text. There are no wrong answers here, but in my eyes, it should be fun and colorful, and the child should be entranced by the images.
How can authors and illustrators work together to create an immersive world within the limited space of a picture book?
C: Creating a picture book is not a solo endeavor. It is a collaboration between the author and the illustrator. Unless of course, you are the author and the illustrator. As an author, I find it important to let my illustrator be creative. As we go over the text and make decisions on what the illustrations might look like, I know there are times when I don’t know what I want a scene to look like, but my illustrator might have an idea. You picked that illustrator for a reason, trust their instinct.
What techniques can picture book creators use to establish a strong sense of place and atmosphere in just a few words and illustrations?
C: The use of vocabulary goes a long way. I’m big on the author showing me details instead of telling me details. I want to see it with my imagination as I read. When it comes to picture books, strong words and strong imagery. For example, there is a page in my picture book, Nicky’s Very Messy Room, when he is starting to feel overwhelmed and defeated. The text states: “ It’s not fair. It’s a million to one. I thought I was already done.” The image on the corresponding page shows Nicky with a dark backdrop looking like the night sky with a white flag in his hand. Powerful words, with one simple powerful image. Many times less is more, especially in picture books.
How does world-building enhance storytelling and character development in picture books for young readers?
C: Since most of the story is in pictures, it is so important that the words and the illustrations complement each other. In Nicky’s Very Messy Room, it was important to me that the illustrations show the opposite of what the text was saying, simply because I want the children to think. Why doesn’t the picture match the story? What is going on? What is really going on is that the world of Nicky is about what the text isn’t saying, but the pictures are. In picture books, the true story is coming from the illustrations, the text just enhances the world and helps explain what is going on, or should be going on in Nicky’s case.
What common mistakes should picture book creators avoid when developing a fictional world, and how can they make their settings more engaging?
C: There are many common mistakes, one of them is a story that is too old for the age group you are trying to target. Another is sending the wrong message. Authors need to do their research. Talk to professionals. Talk to teachers, parents, and specialists in their field. Use them as resources. Picture books are hard, there is a lot of information that has to go into a small page count, and the information the author puts in there has to be correct, age-appropriate, and parent/teacher-approved.
What are three practical steps picture book creators can take to make their world feel more vivid and engaging for young readers?
C: Do your research. Talk to professionals in the industry. Talk to teachers, parents, and specialists. Talk to kids. Kids are great Beta Readers. They will tell you the truth whether you want to hear it or not. Organize your thoughts. What message do you want to send through your picture book? Edit, edit, edit. There is no rush. Take your time and do it right, because once it’s out in the world, you can’t take it back.
And that’s a wrap from an expert! World-building isn’t just for fantasy and sci-fi—it’s a crucial storytelling tool in all picture books, from cozy contemporary settings to whimsical make-believe worlds. Whether you’re an author, illustrator, teacher, publisher, librarian, or parent, understanding how to craft rich, immersive environments helps bring stories to life for young readers. We hope this conversation sparks new ideas and inspires you to build magical worlds that captivate children’s imaginations!
Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on social media, and don’t forget to tune in to The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast for more insights into children’s literature.
Keep up with Cynthia by visiting her on:
- www.cynthiadifilippoelomaa.com.
- Twitter: @CynthiaElomaa
- Instagram: @authorcynthiaelomaa
