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Storytelling • Creativity • Reader Engagement

Dillybean Books

October is that special time of year when storytelling comes alive in ways no other month can match. Ghoulish monsters, sneaky ghosts, and dark, moody atmospheres begin to ooze from every corner, making the strange and wonderfully weird just feel right. Writers feel freer to experiment, and illustrators lean more into the dramatic and unusual. This is the month when storytelling takes on a creepy edge of mystery.

For young readers, activities such as school events, pumpkin patch visits, and fall festivals deepen their engagement with stories set during this time of year. Costumes and spooky tales, falling leaves, cooler air, and shorter days create a sensory world that pulls them into books, helping them visualize settings more easily. This is why children’s literature thrives this time of year. Artists have everything they need: atmosphere, emotion, and a sense of play. October is a natural gateway to fantasy, folklore, and creative storytelling.

For indie publishers, seasonal engagement is a must. Spooky atmospheres and eerie madness draw readers toward ghouls and ghosts, offering us a unique opportunity to highlight stories and artwork that resonate with the season’s excitement. Did you know that the United States recognizes October as National Book Month? This recognition offers indie publishers a great opportunity to connect with readers, even without seasonal releases.

During National Book Month, indie authors can share what’s happening behind the scenes, spotlight favorite titles, encourage readers to explore new genres, or invite them into conversations about what they’re reading as the days grow moodier. October’s atmosphere makes even our smallest updates feel cozy and intentional, turning everyday routines into shareable, seasonal experiences. This is a month for us to step back, reconnect with our mission, and celebrate the stories we’ve already brought to the world.

If you’d like to receive more indie-inspired updates and behind-the-scenes insights–or just love a good picture book–join our monthly Reading List.

Picture Book Creation

Dillybean Books

Journey into Picture Book Creation •

Upon deciding to become a children’s book author, I had no idea just how much goes into creating a picture book. As a “newbie” in the publishing world, I quickly realized that hiring a professional illustrator was out of the question. So, I rolled up my sleeves, purchased a Canva license, and designed my very first picture book using their pre‑made elements.

And honestly? It was a lot of fun.

I learned so much — not just about illustration, but about writing, formatting, barcodes, copyright, marketing, publishing, uploading, downloading, EPUBs, PDFs… the list goes on and on. There is truly a LOT involved in self‑publishing a book. But I stuck with it, step by step, and seeing my first book come to life made every challenge worth it.

Now I’m deep into my second book. This time, I wanted to push myself further and create the illustrations digitally from scratch. After some research, I decided to try Affinity — a free, easy‑to‑use program that works similarly to Canva. So far, I’m loving it. The entire book is formatted, the text is locked in, and I’m currently illustrating pages 22–23. Things are moving right along!

It’s been a wild, wonderful learning experience so far, and I can’t wait to share more of this journey with you as I grow into the world of children’s books.

Happy Reading!

Picture Book Thumbnails

Dillybean Books

Where the Story Begins •

Before picture books ever become fully illustrated, text-filled, polished pages, they start as thumbnails. Thumbnails are tiny, rough sketches that help me plan the whole story, page by page. With these little drawings, one can map out where the text will go, shape the illustrations to better tell the story, and build the rhythm of the book, including those exciting page turns that keep little ones reading.

Thumbnails get erased and redrawn so much that the paper is wears thin, but that’s okay. It means the story is getting clearer, stronger, and coming together in a way that feels right.

Here’s a thumbnail from a first picture book. It’s a great example of how tiny and rough these sketches are, and how much they help plan the story long before the illustrations begin.

It’s exciting to watch a picture book start small, like a thumbnail, and then grow into something big and wonderful for children. All the erasing and redrawing is just a natural part of that growth. The story will find its shape, one tiny sketch at a time.

Happy Reading!

Why I Write for Children

Dillybean Books

Once upon a time I worked as a Head Start teacher. My favorite part of the day was Storytime. Not because it was quiet — it rarely was — but because something amazing happened when I opened a book. Those wiggly little humans, who couldn’t sit still for anything else, would suddenly lean in. After a page or two, the room softened. They listened. They watched. Sometimes they even tried to read ahead of me, and that was perfectly fine. They were reading.

And then came my favorite part — the blurting. No hand-raising, no waiting their turn, just pure, honest connection:

“Hey, I do that!” “I don’t like that either!” “That’s like my brother!”

They weren’t just hearing the story. They were entering it. They were finding themselves in the characters, the problems, the silliness, the feelings. That was the revolution for me — the moment picture books stopped being just words on a page and became bridges.

I started reading differently. I stopped performing the text and started telling the story. I asked open-ended questions. I let them question me, question the characters, question the choices. We planned activities together. We followed threads from the story into our day. They discovered joy because the stories weren’t separate from them, and I discovered joy because I wasn’t only teaching literacy —I was teaching self-awareness and connection.

And that is why I write for children.

First Day of Preschool

Dillybean Books

Building Children’s Confidence •

Leaving young children on the first day of preschool can be challenging, not only for the children but for adults as well. By teaching children three simple rules, adults can feel confident that they are helping to keep children safe and healthy, and children can have the confidence needed for a successful first day of school.

Simple Rule No. 1
Young children must understand the importance of lining up and staying in line. They often need to form a line when moving from one preschool activity to another, like going from the classroom to the cafeteria. Lining up and staying there helps prevent children from getting lost and ensures their safety.

Simple Rule No. 2
Understanding the importance of hand washing is crucial for preschool children! It reduces the spread of germs to others and helps children stay well by lowering the risk of contracting common illnesses. Children should be encouraged to wash their hands multiple times throughout the day: upon arriving at school, after using the restroom, after playing outside, after touching their nose, and before and after meals. By following this practice, preschool children will be healthier.

Simple Rule No. 3
Children should also learn the importance of quiet time. Even if they don’t feel tired, someone else will. A rested child will appreciate the transition from school to home much more than a tired one. And we all know that is a good thing.

These three preschool rules are simple yet powerful enough to build confidence in the youngest children. By teaching these simple rules, we alleviate feelings of uncertainty for both children and adults. I have included a short list of storybooks of that touch on the concepts mentioned and introduce many more that young children will encounter at preschool. I know you will enjoy them. Here’s to a successful first day of preschool!

Maisy Goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins
Our Classroom Rules! by Kallie George
Wash Your Hands, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony.
Be Quiet! by Ryan T. Higgins.