Instructor Stories: Baptiste Paul

I'm excited to introduce Baptiste Paul on our blog today and give away one of his picture books. Baptiste will be teaching our upcoming Rhyming Picture Books course with Miranda Paul. These two will be bringing each of their own writing and teaching styles together for this course, and it's going to be an incredible learning experience.

Baptiste and Miranda have co-authored three books together, and those are wonderful. But I still remember how the voice and poetry in The Field (Baptiste's debut picture book) blew me away. I read it multiple times, and it just got better with each reading. Jacqueline Alcántara‘s illustration style went so well with Baptiste's writing style, which really elevated the whole reading experience. The Field received starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and The Horn Book

In addition to writing picture books, Baptiste has written poetry for several anthologies and an essay  that moved me to tears in Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep, edited by Melissa Stewart

Baptiste's Books

As I mentioned before, Baptiste Paul has co-authored three books with Miranda Paul, some (if not all) of which have won awards. He has also written three picture books of his own. CLIMB ON! will release in February, and as you can see below, he's been paired with Jacqueline again. 

I'm just going to drop the covers here for you to admire. If you want more learn more and/or buy any of these books, you can go to Baptiste Paul's website.

Rhyming Picture Books Course

Those of you who know me know that I'm a children's poet, and you might know that I've been looking for the right instructor to teach this particular course for almost three years now. There have been some disappointments along the way, but this course Miranda and Baptiste are creating makes up for all of that. 

So, let me tell you why I'm excited about this course. Among other things, it's going to include:

  • how to evaluate (on line-by-line and stanza-by-stanza levels) a rhythmic or rhyming text
  • different processes that writers and artists use to turn a poem or song into an actual book with 32 pages, illustrations, and page turns
  • several tips, tricks, and revision techniques to swap out bad rhymes and strengthen stories
  • techniques of good pitches and queries for rhyming books

We're still in the process of making this Rhyming Picture Books course, so it isn't available to purchase on our website. We hope to have it available by the end of January. If you'd like a free preview of the course, Miranda and Baptiste Paul will be teaching a free live workshop on January 10, which you can register for here. If you're in our Makers Pro membership, you'll automatically have access to the new course with live workshops in mid-January.

Book Giveaway

I'm giving away a copy of one of the books featured above. The winner can choose. Just comment on this blog post to enter. 

For additional entries, you can share the post on social media and post a link to where you’ve shared in the comments (preferably as a comment to your original comment so that all of your entries are grouped together). If you attend or watch the replay of the free live workshop on January 10, let me know one thing you learned in the comments, and I will add another entry. 

I’ll close the contest at midnight, Pacific Time, on January 12. Thanks for reading and sharing!

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Myrna Foster
Myrna Foster

Myrna Foster writes and edits content for Storyteller Academy and the WriteRiders Newsletter for SCBWI Nevada. She has spent a lot of time teaching and coaching children, including five years as a preschool teacher. She's also worked as a journalist, and Highlights High Five has published six of her poems.

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73 thoughts on “Instructor Stories: Baptiste Paul”

  1. I'm familiar with most of these books, but somehow have not seen Peace before, and I definitely want to see peace in the world in all its forms and fashions, so I'm eager to see this book. I'm also more than curious to learn how these two authors got together and decided to collaborate, and hoping they're going to share the process they use for this.

  2. Baptiste,
    I am looking forward to this rhyming course. I’m thinking my latest work-in-progress might take off with poetic style.
    Joyce

  3. I love I Am Farmer and used it as a mentor text. I’ve never seriously tried rhyme but maybe 2022 is the time to be brave and try something new..
    Elyse

  4. I’ve only read a few of Baptiste Paul’s books but I loved The Field. I really need to check out several more. Thanks for the upcoming event.

  5. Martha Hollenhorst

    I am new to the field of writing children's books. You have gathered together a talented group of authors and illustrators to teach the upcoming workshop. I've noticed that rhyming helps our brains retain memories. I would enjoy learning to write rhyming lines. I would love to win a copy of one of these books. Thank you for the opportunity.

  6. I have read, “I am Farmer,” and have used it as a mentor text. It is a fabulous story. These two authors are fabulous also. I have been following them since I started seriously writing and I can't wait for there class! Look forward to there new book as well. Feel so fortunate to be soon learning from them.

  7. I am considering becoming a Storyteller Academy member and these blogs are really pushing me over the line. 🙂 It sounds like you've hit a home run with this course.
    –Melisa Wrex (@mowrex on Twitter)

  8. I can’t wait to hear Baptiste and Miranda again. I enjoyed the first time I heard them very much. It made me want to try a rhyming book myself, so I am excited to hear them a second time.

  9. Hi!
    I believe I have seen Baptiste online before, but it has been a while. Sometimes words for a book come to me in rhyme, but I'm not sure I should, with all the negatives you hear about editors not wanting books written in rhyme. I also need instruction on the different rhyming patterns. I only am familiar with one or two.

  10. Lynnette Mitchell

    I am so excited for this course. I dabble in silly rhymes and poetic Christmas and birthday letters for my family, but my currnet WIP wants to rhyme and I'm not sure I can pull it off. I am looking forward to learning from both of you!

  11. All of these books look fun and “active”. I’ve never tried rhyme so I am looking forward to his class on January 10.

  12. I look forward to Baptiste's class on rhyming. It is a craft I long to understand better and one day perfect.

  13. I’m really excited about taking this course. I’ve written many songs for children (and adults) and have been rewriting one of the songs to work as a picture book. It’s a fascinating process and this class sounds like the perfect way to bring this story home. Can’t wait!

  14. Congratulations on all the published books, Baptiste, Miranda, and Jacqueline! It's good to ‘meet' you. Unfortunately, I've not seen any of them in my local bookstore in Brisbane, Australia.
    I look forward to your session and advice.
    I've been writing picure books since 2000, with only one traditionally published, in 2015, with words to the rhythm of our national song, Waltzing Matilda. I'm a slow learner.

  15. Dr. Kim D Harris

    Wow!! This is amazing. I'm excited and look forward to manifesting my children's books. Yes I would love to receive a free copy giveaway from Brother Baptiste.

    Happy New Year

    Dr. Kim D. Harris

  16. I have not yet read any of these books, but will look for them now that I've seen their titles. They look like great reads!

  17. Looking forward to the class on January 10th. I never write a book but I have so many ideas, that I think I am ready to learn how to do it.

  18. I have used several of these books with kids and they were very well received! Very interested in this class!

  19. I’m excited about this next week with children’s authors and illustrators! I am new to this so look forward to hearing all about writing children’s books. I also am a school librarian and would love to have one of these books for our library!

  20. I can't wait to learn from this workshop. Something I have had in the works for many years and hope I can finally get that finishing touch to send off my own children's rhyming book! Thank you!

  21. Looking forward to reading these amazing books! Also looking forward to January 10th to listen and learn from Miranda and Baptiste Paul via Children's Book Challenge Week. 🙂

  22. Hi Baptiste,
    Thank you and Miranda for presenting such a captivating presentation today. Having just begun my journey as a children's book author, I walked away all the more inspired. Looking forward to attending the next .

  23. at the workshop today, I learned alot about how your rhyming book can be translated to different languages. Some times the rhyming takes priority on one verse, sometimes the meaning of the text takes priority. very helpful. thank you!

  24. Great to hear from you Batiste and Miranda today on rhyming books! Excellent first glimpse into Storytelling Academy and the world of writing children's books. Thank you

  25. Rhyming seems so intimidating, however, w Baptiste & Miranda's honesty with revisions etc it doesn't seem so scary. Thank you both for sharing your stories/experiences.

  26. I have finished watching the replay. Today was a workday. This was an amazing workshop. Thank you for speaking about rhyming. It has brought a new avenue of thought to my process. It also reminded me of writing poetry when I was younger. I have missed my poetry days.

  27. I have a number of books for children I've written over the years, all still in rough form. Some have been appreciated by a friend's children, some by family members and friends and some, just by me. I've promised myself this is the year to take the next step with them. After watching the presentations during the Children's Book Challenge Week, I think that next step on this path is with Storyteller Academy. Thank you all.

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