How to Make a Book (about My Dog)

I absolutely loved this book for making picture books. Such a fun and informative read!

My youngest son is very artistic and has been making his own stories for some time. This book would be a wonderful additional to his knowledge bank on illustrating and making picture books.

I highly recommend this for any kid (or adult!) interested in the process behind making picture books. Very well done!

This was such a cool book!! I really like the way the author explains the writing and research process through illustrations, and it's written in a way that makes it understandable for younger readers but also very readable for adults as well. Anything with dogs makes me happy, and this book was especially fun in the way it was essentially a how-to on making a book about a dog, so readers who have a pet can make one themselves!

Overall this is super fun read that highlights the importance of research!

This is the storybook for me. It doesn't matter if it's been written for kids. It's for doglovers all around the world.

Adopting a dog, raising a dog and taking care of a dog isn't just the responsibility of one person. And I am so glad the author mentions everyone involved with the wellbeing of his dog, Ernie. And thank you for mentioning the various people involved in bringing out a storybook!

I had little idea regarding what's behind in publishing a storybook.

This one doesn't read like a storybook. It's like a graphic novel. I love it!

And those multiple coffee mugs on the desk? That's quite relatable.

Thanks for all the information provided in this little book. It just made my day!

Thank you, author and the publishing team, for the advance reading copy.

Looking forward to the physical copy when it comes out!

This is a really cute book. The illustrations are delightful. The storyline follows the author and his dog, as well as the creation of a book about the dog (meta!?). I think it’s a funny, clever, and engaging book for a young reader.

Kids do enjoy their picture books and board books. But for those curious minds who want to know more about how their beloved book came into being, this book is what they need. The fact that the book has a dog also helps tremendously.

In just a few pages, this book covers the entire process of book development, from ideation to research to writing to editing to illustrating to printing and beyond. Some of the titbits were new even to me. For instance, I never knew that an author doesn’t decide the illustrator on his/her own. I also loved the author’s note at the end where he provides tips to little aspiring writers.

A few of the words are a little difficult for early readers but nothing that can’t be easily explained by a parent/guardian.

The illustrations are quirkily cute. I loved them!

Heartily recommended to all little readers who want to know more about what brings them their beloved books. This will be a great resource for schools and libraries too.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group, for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book provides an informative and amusing explanation of how a picture book is made. Most children are unaware of this process and that many people are involved. Knowing that it can take years may be a big surprise. Chris Barton has the perfect friendly enthusiastic style, and Sarah Horne the perfect matching illustrations.

I enjoyed this new picture book from Chris Barton. At first, I thought it was going to be more about the research and writing process. It's about how a book gets published which is great too to share with readers. Hopefully, it will inspire readers to write their own books to be published.

This picture book would be great to use at the beginning of a new writing unit and then have the students' work published in an actual book. There used to be a few places online where you could send in students' work and have a book made and parents could purchase the class book.

Great addition to any library especially elementary and even middle school too. As I was reading, I was trying to see if this would work for high school students too. I believe you are never too old to be read to.

Chris Barton’s How to Make a Book (about My Dog) is probably one of our new favorite picture books. I can guarantee we will be giving this as a gift.

Barton walks us through the process of how to make a book, from the brainstorming process all the way to the reader’s hands. He explains all of the people involved in writing and publishing a book and the work involved. Better yet, he does all of this in a fun, quirky, and interesting way. Explaining how to make a book while making that book about his dog Ernie just ads to the charm. Sarah Horne’s full color illustrations perfectly add to the story. This is perfect for elementary age kids.

Teachers will appreciate reading How to Make a Book (about My Dog) to their students in writing workshop. We LOVE Chris Barton books, and now Chris has teamed with his dog (yes, the DOG tells the story!) to show "how to" make a book about dogs.

So much fun!
Perfect for upper elementary and even middle school research and writing workshop.

Such a creative book! A very informative story not only about how a book is created but all about the author's dog and his life. I loved this book and the illustrations are bright and colorful. I definitely recommend it to kids of all ages. A really fun read! Thanks #netgalley for the advanced reader copy. Awesome book!

Loved this book so much!

My son is very into drawing and art so I thought this book would be a great resource for him, and I was right!

The book is the story of how the author plans and executes a book that will have his dog as the main character.

Every stage of the publishing process is explained step by step, so kids can get a better understanding of how a book is created from the starting point to the end.

I truly loved learning every aspect of publishing a book, and I found it highly informative. It's also easy to understand even for smaller children so my son was able to explain the process back to me after we finished reading it.

Truly loved it!

I love this book! It is technically out of my grade range, but I believe I have use for it in my classroom. One of my favorite assignments during the year is to have students take a topic and write a "book" for younger audiences. It can be difficult for students to understand/remember how elementary age reading looks. My plan is to use this book as a supporting resource for the activity. The illustrations and language can give them an idea of how to address younger students and the descriptions of roles of each participant can be used to guide them if they are having issues understanding their place in the group process.