The Potential of Picture Book Programming for Children and Youth in Libraries
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This week, I took on a new challenge: writing my first picture book!
I used the Canva program, customising a template using the click-and-drag method
to add shapes, images, and text elements. Professionally illustrating a picture
book is expensive and time-consuming (Australian Society of Authors, n.d.) but
Canva has many clipart options, so I used these to create illustrations.
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Scanned hand drawn illustrations can be uploaded and easily incorporated into a design. I recommend the paid Canva subscription for simple and effective picture book design in child and youth programming.
For picture book programming, participants could
use AI to identify starting points, suggest story outlines, and write text.
This raised interesting questions....
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I gained professional insights for approaching picture book creation programming for young people while playing with my concept and design from a place of experimentation and creativity unconcerned with marketability or professional authorship constraints. Similarly, Gray et al., (2022) describes library programming as one few remaining places children can playfully experiment free from parental supervision and academic pressure.
Storytelling is important in children’s communications as both
listeners and tellers, their stories add diversity to current narratives; my
own story drew upon personal values of learning and community and incorporated my
childhood and adult library experiences (Ifrah, 2024; Mehta, 2018). Providing instruction
in using digital technology for storytelling repositions young people from
digital consumers to creators, engages a maker mindset of exploration and play,
and facilitates a change of identity from reader to writer, all of which support
them in becoming lifelong learners (State Library Queensland, n.d.; Willett,
2018).
- Prepare templates in advance; preset the number of pages, continuous background, colour scheme, and print margins.
- Offer story-starters such a mix-and-match book, combining two unlikely things can spark imagination.
- Supply handouts on picture books elements, design tips, and narrative styles.
- Provide premade examples for inspiration.
I look forward to sharing my insights of on programming implementation and feedback from participants.
References
Albanese, A., & Milliot |, J. (n.d.). Self-Publishing’s
Output and Influence Continue to Grow. PublishersWeekly.Com. Retrieved 12
April 2025, from https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/96468-self-publishing-s-output-and-infuence-continue-to-grow.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Alliance of Independent Authors. (2024, October 9). AI for
Authors: Ethical & Practical Guidelines. The Self-Publishing Advice
Center. https://selfpublishingadvice.org/ai-for-authors-guidelines/
Gray, P., Solomon, A. E., & Tatgenhorst, L. (2022).
Public libraries as centers for play: A survey and case examples. American
Journal of Play, 14(2), 131–148.
Ifrah, S. (2024). Children’s writing: Facilitating one’s
internal and external communication through writing. Journal of Poetry
Therapy, 37(4), 321–332. https://doi.org/10.1080/08893675.2024.2306287
Mehta, S. (2018, August 1). The rewards and challenges of
self-publishing children’s books: Q&A with four authors. Jane Friedman. https://janefriedman.com/childrens-book-self-publishing/
Miller, R. (2024).
Running library creative writing workshops that bring out kids’ inner writers.
ALSC Blog. https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2024/11/running-library-creative-writing-workshops-that-bring-out-kids-inner-writers/
Moreton Bay Region Libraries. (n.d.). Meet a koala—North
Lakes. https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/libraries/Events/Meet-A-Koala/North-Lakes
State Library Queensland. (n.d.). Digital Inclusion. https://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/programs-and-resources/digital-inclusion
Willett, R. (2018). Learning through making in public
libraries: Theories, practices, and tensions. Learning, Media and Technology,
43(3), 250–262. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439884.2017.1369107
Appendix
Picture Book https://llamasinthelibrary.blogspot.com/2025/04/theres-llama-at-library.html
This is a great blog; the design looks so professional, and I love the idea of a program in which children could a picture book that includes thinking about the ethical implications of AI.
ReplyDeleteI love how accessible your activity was, it never occurred to me you could use free programs like Canva and other digital technologies in this manner. I personally fall on the side of the debate that involves using less AI due to ethical and environmental concerns, but I appreciate the way it could be employed within the library environment to support children growing their literacy skills. With the way the technological advancement of AI is occurring, incorporating it into library activities is a great way to enable children to experience emerging digital technologies, and gain 21st century skills. There is also a mountain of research detailing the benefits of children reading picture books, but your blog outlined to me a creative, underrepresented avenue of children creating their own picture books. It also occurred to me how helpful this could be in terms of diversity in perspectives as children get to read other children’s stories and experience how their peers view the world.
ReplyDeleteI love the design of your blog! It's very bright, fun and engaging, but not overwhelming and still looks professional. Your avatar is such a nice touch as well, it makes the blog feel more personalised, and it's also just very cute! We have similar avatars at my library when we do book reviews, that way children get an idea of what our librarians look like and can chat to us about it when they see us. I really love all the photos you have included in your post, they're bright and engaging without taking away from the blog. Using Canva to help create your picture book was a great idea, and it still looks amazing. I really enjoyed how you spoke about the use of AI and started a conversation in regards to the ethics of it. I appreciate how you had some useful tips at the end, your post made creating a picture feel much more accomplishable. I also just wanted to mention the title of your blog, it's so funny! And the llama photo is so cute too.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennis. Firstly, I love the name of your blog. Llamas and Libraries seem to go very well together. The concept of animals accompanying children as they discover different elements of the library is lovely and works very well. I enjoyed the rhyming (especially sleeper and keep her!) and all the different animals and spaces in the library. The ending was very satisfying and a perfect summation of what you were trying to achieve, that the library is not just books.
ReplyDeleteThe idea you had about the use of AI as a writing tool is interesting. I agree it could be used as a starting point, but I value the idea of children coming up with their own storylines, characters etc… but perhaps AI could have a place for reluctant writers, as a kind of scaffold. Your program intention that children will become digital creators, not consumers is one that I think is very important and essential for young people.
What a wonderfully creative and reflective exploration of picture book creation as a tool for library programming! Your approach thoughtfully highlights how storytelling empowers young people to express their identities and connect with library spaces in meaningful ways (Mehta, 2018). I haven’t used Canva before but it seems like an accessible tool for budding authors and illustrators. Your recognition of AI’s potential in storytelling, not just as a writing aid but as a discussion topic, is especially forward-thinking. Framing the ethical considerations of AI within youth programs introduces digital literacy in an engaging, age-appropriate way is really important. It’s also inspiring to see how your own values and experiences informed your narrative, modelling the kind of personal storytelling you're encouraging in others. The programming tips you provided are clear, actionable, and show a strong understanding of how to facilitate playful, purposeful learning. I’m excited to hear how your participants respond!
ReplyDeleteReferences
Mehta, S. (2018, August 1). The rewards and challenges of self-publishing children’s books: Q&A with four authors. Jane Friedman. https://janefriedman.com/childrens-book-self-publishing/
ReplyDeleteHow amazing is Canva at allowing us to be creative. Last year during Book Week my school library ran a program where students could use Canva’s eBook template to create their very own picture book.
We had many submissions which were then displayed digitally for other students to read. This worked really well at getting students excited about writing and reading which intern grew their literacy skills.