PB Author Day—LIVE! In Lancaster 2025

Everyone has a favorite ride. Some love fast roller coasters while others prefer gentler ones. But what do all of these rides have in common? They have moments of building tension with climbs or unexpected turns, and moments of releasing that tension with dips or more turns. And we, the riders, get to experience all these thrilling ups and downs and turnarounds from the safety of our seats. The same experience can be recreated in picture books, too. Building and releasing tension in stories allows young readers to go on a fun ride within the pages of a book, all from the safety of their schools, libraries, and homes. In this interactive breakout session, we’ll look at how writers can use refrains, page turns, humor, and emotional touchstones as tools for building and dispelling tension in picture books and ultimately creating a satisfying reading experience. Whether you are new to writing picture books or a veteran, I invite you: let’s go for a ride—and explore these craft tools together!