Here are some tips and tricks for crafting a voice so distinctive it leaps off the page—and into an editor’s heart.
Why Voice is Your Secret Picture Book Superpower
Plot hooks readers. Illustrations dazzle them. But voice? Voice is what makes an editor sit up and say, “I need this on my list!”
In picture books, voice isn’t just how your character talks. It’s how they see the world. It’s their heart, their humor, their quirks, and their wildly specific way of being alive on the page.
Let’s dig into four recent books that absolutely nailed unforgettable voice—and unpack how you can do it, too. Okay, yes, #2 is an early reader, but it’s a great example, so I’m including it.
1. Big by Vashti Harrison 
Why It Works: Voice as Power & Vulnerability
Big isn’t a loud-voiced character book—it’s quieter, deeper. The voice comes through emotional honesty.
The main character hears other people’s labels (“Too much! Too big!”) — but by the end, her voice reclaims those words as something powerful.
“I am BIG.”
Simple. Fierce. True.
By the way, Vashti Harrison is speaking at Picture Book Summit this year! Click here to learn more!
VOICE TRICK TO STEAL:
→ Play with the gap between how others see your character and how they see themselves.
→ Let their voice grow and shift over the story arc.
→ Sometimes the smallest sentences land the biggest punches.
2. Cornbread & Poppy by Matthew Cordell
What Makes This Voice Work: Contrast is Comedy Gold
Cornbread and Poppy are best friends, but total opposites.
Cornbread is cautious:
“I packed extra scarves! I made a list!”
Poppy is reckless:
“Who needs lists? Adventure is exciting!”
Their contrasting voices are the story. Their dialogue doesn’t just move the plot—it reveals who they are down to their (furry) little bones.
Steal This Strategy:
→ Opposite character dynamics create built-in voice energy.
→ Give each character verbal quirks: Are they a worrier? A dreamer? A drama queen?
→ Don’t just say it—let them show it in their own unforgettable way.
3. Norman Didn’t Do It! (Yes, He Did) by Ryan T. Higgins
What Makes This Voice Work: Funny Self-Talk = Instant Personality
Norman the porcupine talks directly to the reader. His voice is guilty, dramatic, and totally self-absorbed—in the best way.
“Norman was a perfectly normal porcupine. He liked to be alone. That’s just the way he was.”
(Except he’s totally NOT okay being alone.)
Steal This Strategy:
→ Let your character’s inner monologue run wild.
→ Play with unreliable narrators who say one thing but clearly mean another.
→ Humor often comes from a character trying (and failing) to sound calm or cool.
4. I Am Not A Dog Toy by Ethan T. Berlin, illustrated by Jared Chapman
What Makes This Voice Work: Strong Opinions Build Strong Voice
Plushie Bear is horrified to discover he’s become a DOG TOY. His voice drips with indignation:
“I am NOT a dog toy. I am a FRIEND.”
Bear has OPINIONS. And that makes readers love him.
Steal This Strategy:
→ Give your character big, dramatic reactions.
→ What’s their pet peeve? What’s unacceptable in their world? What line will they NEVER cross?
→ The stronger their opinion, the stronger their voice.
Voice Is More Than Dialogue
Voice lives in every part of your manuscript:
- Word choice
- Rhythm
- Point of view
- Repetition or catchphrases
- Sentence length
- Unexpected metaphors or similes
- Character reactions to everything
Quick Tricks to Boost Voice Instantly
→ Rewrite your story as a dramatic diary entry from your character.
→ Write a list of things your character loves and loathes.
→ Have them overreact to something tiny (spilled juice = end of the world).
→ Steal from real life! Eavesdrop on kids or quirky adults.
→ Give them a weird hobby, obsession, or secret wish.
Final Thought: Voice = Specificity
Generic voice sounds like anyone.
Great voice sounds like someone.
When you lean hard into who your character is—what they notice, love, fear, and refuse to accept—you’ll create a voice an editor can’t ignore.
