From Lyrical Poem to Nonfiction Debut Picture Book: One Writer’s Journey

By Judy Bryan

 

My debut picture book, ONE GRAIN OF SAND (Beach Lane Books 2027), started as a poem, a lyrical ode to everything one tiny grain of sand may have been. 

The idea for this story came to me on a sunny beach in Mexico. While sifting the warm sand through my fingers, I noticed many different colors, so unlike the sand I played in as a child on the sandbars of Lake Wisconsin. 

 

The first sentence formed immediately: 

 

Have you ever held a grain of sand, and wondered what was in your hand?

 

I’m curious by nature, so my brain began asking questions.

• Why are there so many colors?
• Why was it different from the sand where I’m from? 
• How did it all end up on this particular beach? 
• What was it made of? 

 

Those questions led me to research the different kinds of sand. I searched the internet, checked out books from the library, talked to geologists, and discovered every single grain used to be something else . . . rocks, bones, fossils, shells, glass, even a chip from the tip of a distant mountain. How they end up washed ashore on beaches around the world is a fascinating look into weathering, erosion, tides, and time.

 

Loaded with information, facts, and scientific terminology, I sat down to write. I knew the poem I’d started would be factual, but how could I make it engaging? I’d recently taken Renée LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab (highly recommend!) and began incorporating what I’d learned: rhythm, rhyme, lyrical language, and poetic devices. These all help create vivid images that enchant and enlighten, which in turn make reading nonfiction entertaining and fun! They also help educators bridge the topic they’re teaching with language arts, turning lessons into rich, language-filled explorations. 

 

There are many excellent lyrical nonfiction picture books on the market today. They are filled with drama, fascinating subjects, insightful sidebars, and extensive back matter. Here are a few recent titles that have caught my attention, all gorgeously written and illustrated:

 

In the World of Whales by Michelle Cusolito, illustrated by Jessica Lanan (Neal Porter Books, 2025).

 

Forests: An Adventure Through Nature by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Kalen Chock (Orchard Books, 2025).

Interested in writing your own lyrical nonfiction picture book? Here’s a short Brain-Storming Activity to get you started.

• First, you need a topic. Something that interests you. Find a spot you love. It could be your own backyard, curled up in your favorite chair, or anywhere that inspires you. 
• Look around. Take a long, deep breath. Let it out slowly. Do that again. Quiet your mind.
• What do you see? 
• Hear? It helps to close your eyes.
• Smell? 
• Feel? 
• What piques your curiosity? 
• Begin asking questions.
• Write it all down. I find word banks helpful at this point. 

Did anything spark an idea? Are you excited? Tingling? Fingers itching to get started? I hope so! The next step is researching to find answers. WARNING: This could take you down a long, but fascinating, rabbit hole of information. 

Enjoy the journey! I’m rooting for you and can’t wait to read your story.

 

Judy Bryan is a children’s author and poet. Her books inspire, entertain, and foster a natural curiosity about the world. An active member of SCBWI and past Assistant Regional Advisor for Wisconsin, Judy also belongs to the Courage To Create Community and the 12X12 Picture Book Challenge. She’s a mom to three wonderful humans and two cuddly cats. When not reading or writing, she enjoys boating, kayaking and hiking Wisconsin’s Ice Age trails with her husband. For more information, please visit https://judybryanauthor.com.