We've collected some of our favorite and most helpful websites. Do you have a favorite writer/illustrator's website? Let us know.

INFORMATIONAL WEBSITES

Embracing the Child
An extensive children's literature resource

Write4Kids
Helpful publications for sale, and a great message board run by Jon Bard

The Purple Crayon
Children’s editor Harold Underdown maintains an informative site for writers and illustrators including up-to-date information about editorial and other changes at publishing houses

Children's Books Council
Current addresses of publishers in the “members” section

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
The largest international association of children’s writers and illustrators; contests, awards, grants, links, extremely helpful publications available free to members

freelancers.com
Specific information about fees and pricing guidelines

childrenslit.com
Useful list of publishers

Society of Illustrators
A well-known professional organization for all types of illustration

Preditors and Editors
A useful site to check out whether an unfamiliar publisher or agent is legit

ILLUSTRATING TIPS
Drawing Board
This site hasn’t been updated for a while, but it has a good pricing guide and portfolio section

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Information about this wonderful place to visit, a museum of picture book art set in the midst of an old apple orchard in Amherst, Massachusetts.

WRITING TIPS

http://www.verlakay.com/
Author Verla Kay maintains a lively site filled with interesting information and nightly writing chats; updated constantly

http://www.janfields.com/
Helpful advice and tips for children’s writers

http://www.smartwriters.com/
Markets, interviews with writers, book reviews, resources for writers and teachers

http://www.margotfinke.com/
Margot Finke's World: "Imagination Rules!" Critiques, two monthly columns, plus Books, Chat, Writing Tips and Self-Editing.

ONLINE COMMUNITIES

Write4Kids message board
The famous Yellaboard; a vibrant community of experienced and beginning writers and a few illustrators

Verla Kay's Children's Writer and Illustrators Chat Board
A small, close community that welcomes new members; a great place to get questions answered

Yahoo groups: Children's Writers
Children's writers and illustrators of all levels and genres

Yahoo Groups: Picture-Books
Discussion group for the creation, publication, and uses of illustrated books

Yahoo Groups: Illustrators 4Kids
Discussion group for illustrators who create art for any and all kids' markets

TheChildrensBookWritersCafe
A friendly bunch of children's writers