I’ve been expanding my interests as an agent from MG and YA to include books for the littler crowd. I’ve found some incredible author-illustrators whose work is so amazing I can’t even describe, and I want more.* Especially since editors who’ve seen the quality picture books I rep keep asking for them.
My tastes vary and are somewhat random and all over the place. This list will likely evolve as I think of other things that pique my interest. It’s not a catchall—I’ve fallen in love with art and styles I never would have imagined until they showed up in my inbox, so don’t be afraid to query if you’re not sure. I also love getting picture book texts, so use this as a guide to see what kinds of stories I like, even if you can’t illustrate.*
A visual collections of illustration styles and picture books I’d love to see:
Funny/Clever
Mélanie Watt
Rob Scotton
Subversive
Jon Klassen
John Scieska/Lane Smith
Sparse/Minimalist
Chris Appelhans
Nilah Magruder
(one of my author-illustrators; Fox Hunt forthcoming from Feiwel & Friends in 2016)
Lively/Fun
(often with bright colors)
Dan Santat
Chris Barton
Adorable
Ashley Evanson (yes, she is another of my author-illustrators)
Keith Baker
Innovative/Interactive
Hervé Tullet
Jon Stone/Mike Smollin
Whimsical
David Wiesner
Shaun Tan
Dark/Morbid
Edward Gorey
Neil Gaiman/Dave McKean
Pop Surrealism (Lowbrow)
Nicoletta Ceccoli
Rébecca Dautremer
Gothic
[See also: Edward Gorey, above]
Emily the Strange (Rob Reger)
Ruby Gloom series
Art Nouveau/Art Deco
Alphonse Mucha
Erté
Not so much:
Perhaps I should note some of the kinds of picture books I’m NOT interested in.
- holiday stories (if it’s spooky but not tied directly to Halloween, I’ll allow it)
- religious
- preachy
- trying to teach a moral or lesson
- sappy or overly cheesy (clever, yes; cheesy, no)
- rhyming (very rarely do I like rhyming picture books)
- imitating Dr Seuss (no one will ever do it as well as him, so don’t try)
*We won’t discuss my jealousy that some people can both write and illustrate. I’ll stick to my coloring books for now. (No, seriously. Johanna Basford’s Enchanted Forest is my current obsession.)
NOTE: The comment section of this post is NOT the place to pitch me your picture book. Instead, refer to my query guidelines.
ALSO NOTE: I don’t rep most of the books listed here; they’re simply used as examples of what I’d like to see.
This last year I’ve been obsessing over picture books as well, and like you, it only makes me wish more and more I could execute this form of storytelling. I love this list! John Klassen’s, I Want My Hat Back, is brilliant, and there are so many other good ones on here. I think picture books can be just as beneficial for adults as they are for children, and it is unfortunate that so many people take this form of storytelling for granted. If they’d only spend a few moments submerged in the pages of words and illustrations, I think they’d discover a new fondness for life and art and the simplicity of it all. Picture books are a form of storytelling that can be experienced on so many levels, and I think its awesome you’re delving into this world.
These are all wonderful books – such a wide range of awesomeness. Thanks for sharing your wish list.
Hi Michelle. Thank you for this list. What’s your interest level on lyrical non-fiction by author/illustrators?
@katesnowbird
I’m not terribly interested in nonfic picture books, specifically picture book biographies, but I’m always willing to take a look to see if it’s a good fit for me.
(Lyrical/narrative NF PBs)
What are your thoughts on an LGBT children’s book?
I’m not quite sure what you mean by “thoughts,” but if you’re asking whether I’m interested in seeing them, it would depend on if it’s a book that is trying to teach children something. I just want to see good stories that don’t try to shove a moral or lesson down kids’ throats.
Thank you for the inspiration and sharing your list. You have included many of my favorites and others to add to my list.
Now off to sharpen my pencil.
I found you through a friend who said my book may be a match or at least close bc she saw my collection of kids books and they were very similar to your library. I am an Emmy award winning kids film writer director for sesame workshop and just finished a photo book with illustrations composited behind a nine year old girl trying to decide what to be today? So photograph with girl in front and 2-3 sentences of wondering what her day will be? Hard to explain better to see? Is that possible to send? Thank you for your consideration.
You can find my submission guidelines here: https://michellewittebooks.com/agent/query-guidelines/
Are only author-illustrators allowed to query? What if I’m a writer, who works together with an illustrator to come up with a PB? Would I still be allowed to query?
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Anyone can query me—authors, illustrators, author-illustrators. You just need a polished manuscript (and for illustrators, a dummy book with sample illustrations is most helpful).
Hi,
I was wondering where you would put *magical* on the list? Something that is ethereal (but relatable) & comforting. Similar to GOODNIGHT MOON but maybe a bit older… similar to Leo Lionni, maybe, or maybe *enchanted* is a better word — one that captures myth & mystery… okay, unicorns, but in a good way! :) Basically what my 4-8 year old girl loves reading about… I like books that are almost hush, whisper, mystical, magical, but also fun and relatable and I don’t think there’s many in the marketplace that gives kids a sense of… wonder. I love cute/quirky/funny for sure but I’d like something that captures imagination more…
This is just a basic list of the kinds of things I like in picture books. It’s not comprehensive and is simply to act as a guide for picture book writers and illustrators who are interested in querying me.
Oh my goodness — I love it all!!! Funny, I was lured to this post by the cover photo because I actually own the original Golden Book version of There’s a Monster at the End of This Book which afforded me hours of entertainment, anticipation, and laughs as a child. ;) Fun post, great art, great books — all of the yums.