So you want to be a picture book author,
You want a shiny book
With your name on the cover
For everyone to -----
read.

(If you thought I should put "to look" there
To rhyme with "shiny book" there
You're making that big mistake that
Many others make.
You should never wrestle syntax
Or jam it into line
The text for such a title
Must NEVER be forced to rhyme.)

First, you pick your subject,
And then you choose a theme
Can't have one without t' other
You need a proper team.

Don't write "a little story"
Where nothing really matters
Make sure the tale's important
And that plenty happens.

Never use "cute" language
And never waffle on
If you reach your 700th word
Your brevity is gone.

Remember 32 pages
Is what you're aiming for
The story starts on 2 or 3
Never on Page 4.
A single page begins it,
Then follow 14 spreads
A single page will cap it off
When all that's needbe's said.

So write your picture book text now
You have advice. Access it!
Send the ms to me then
And I'll formally assess it!