Why do some children's authors make an actual physical representation of their book? A book dummy can help a writer to determine whether a particular children's story works in a picture book format.
Book dummies help authors to pinpoint potential weaknesses in their stories and make necessary corrections before submitting them for publication.
For example, an important consideration for picture books is that of page turns. A book dummy serves as a visual aid for the author. Looking at a book mock-up can help a writer to determine whether the words and verses work on each page.
Working by means of the dummy, the author arranges the words in key locations so that future readers would be eager to see what comes next and would turn the page.
Making a Book Dummy
A writer needs paper, sticky notes and an assortment of felt markers in different colors. A picture book dummy can be made from 16 pages stapled along the left side so that 32 pages are created.
- Each page should be numbered
- Page 2 falls on the back of page one.
- Page 3 falls on the right,
- Page 4 falls on the left-hand side.
- Page 32 ends on the left-hand side
Using Sticky Notes
The story should now be printed onto successive sticky notes. Removable notes allow the author to try out the words on each page.
An author has latitude with front matter, which can make the project easier if changes are necessary to make for better/natural page turns. Generally, front matter takes approximately 4 pages but there are no hard and fast rules. A good rule of thumb for working with a book dummy is to plan on the story starting on page 6, if possible.
Each sticky-note is affixed to a page and can be rearranged for better presentation of the story, as for example, when the words are broken up because a change of location in the story would make for a logical page turn and another illustration.
In Writing Picture Books, Writer's Digest Books, 2009, author Ann Whitford Paul recommends a minimum of 13 double spreads and 1 single spread for a picture book.
Using Felt Markers With a Book Dummy
Once the sticky notes have been arranged, Whitford suggests using different colored markers to highlight key areas, helping an author to check that story elements are arranged in a logical order.
Making a book dummy is an essential step in plotting the scenes and page turns in a picture book. Authors who take the time to create a mock-up of their children's book, gain an edge, one which may improve chances for publication.
Melody Rhodes - M. Rhodes is author of the Bedbug Books. She's been published in Canada, U.S. U.K. & NZ and has won awards for her poetry/prose.
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