The Picture Book Project
ABOUT
The Picture Book Project is an annual collaboration between Richmond Young Writers and professional artists in the community. Students ages 11-17 write stories in a spring workshop, artists bring them to life visually over the summer, and the books are published each fall by Richmond Young Writers Press.
These limited edition, funny, heart-rending, mind-bending, beautiful works are available for purchase between September and December each year.
Your purchase also helps ensure that the project will happen again next year, and that students in need will be able to participate on full scholarship.
The 2022 Collection
The ordering period for Picture Book 2022 has ended. Thank you so much for your purchases and your support of young writers!
2021 Collection
2020 Collection
2019 COLLECTION
2018 COLLECTION
2017 COLLECTION
Melting Tears
Odessa Hott & Sarah Hand
This tender-hearted fairytale weaves together the fates of an imaginative rice paper girl and a morose king in need of a good story. If you're in need of a good story, too, this beauty will not disappoint.
Carnival
Yazlin Jimenez & Heide Trepanier
Jupiter isn't your average boy. He's on a quest: a quest for his happy place. It's difficult to find, but the journey turns up some very interesting interactions with those around him, as well as a mysterious and beautiful answer.
Clara Turned Blue
Georgia Leipold-Vitiello & Brooke Inman
No one seems to be able to see something that seems so clear to Clara: she's utterly and totally (and literally) blue. What does it mean? What does it feel like? This important book helps give voice to feelings of sadness when everything's supposed to feel okay.
Pastel Butterflies
Rylee Matthew & suzanne l. vinson
Opportunities to do the right thing present themselves in many ways, and we don't always seize them - usually because we're too busy or distracted to listen to that little voice that guides us. In this moving story, that voice is our very own shadow.
Home Sweet Home
J. M. Tuck & Karen Mullins
How many amazing picture books out there feature termites? This epic fable-style story addresses what happens when we overuse our resources. It's a great choice for your young environmentalist.
The Artist's Dream
Walden Hubbard & April L. Kelly
Have you ever struggled with being at the beginning of an endeavor and feeling like you'll never be as talented as the people you admire? So has Jamie. But some surprises come her way that change her mind.
Jerry's Jittery Journey
Ashwin Johri & Alex Fulton
Getting stuck anywhere is not a fun idea. Getting stuck in a small room is even worse. Getting stuck in the bathroom? Oh, no, Jerry! But, with a bit of creativity, he makes the best of it.
Trixie's Game
Liesel Lutz & Amelia Blair Langford
History buffs! History buff hopefuls! This one's for you. What can possibly tear Trixie away from her beloved tablet? It's got to be something powerful, something inspiring... something waiting for her at the history museum.
Into The Dark
M. Pickral & Virginia Samsel
This mind-bending, complex story of a girl and her imaginary friend is made even more piquing by abstract illustrations, trusting the reader to go 'into the dark' alongside the narrator and see what lies there.
Flea Man
Yasmeen Jaaber & Katie McBride
Sometimes heroes come in unexpected packages... and from unexpected inspiration. This book is about trusting our inner voice and being ourselves. It also contains a very memorable line about broccoli.
The Magic Painting
Roxie Kellner & Rachel Hume
Do you love 'things are not always what they seem' stories? This gutsy tale with its Silverstein-esque illustrations is a fantastic mix of illusion and reality, with a big dash of sibling love.
Bella the Beetle's Search for a Friend
Journey Mathews & Alicia Strum
Friendship. It's what gets us through each day, right? But what happens when you just can't seem to connect? Bella's story is about tapping into inner strengths and developing a sense of self.
Snake Legs
Garrett Schwan & Bri Bevan
The only rhyming story of our 2017 collection is also one of the funniest, following Blake the Snake's tenacious desire for speed. And legs. And possibly fame and fortune. Snake Legs is a joy to read, especially aloud.