Picture books

Being eaten by animals in picture books

https://i0.wp.com/www.writerandthewolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Painting-the-town-green-1-6.png?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024 683 Siobhan O'Brien Holmes Siobhan O'Brien Holmes https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e13fe604611de8ab95f8fa1e5862d0115e805367dd2bb462c28ba4013cebfee7?s=96&d=mm&r=g 12/05/2025 22/05/2025

By: Siobhan O'Brien Holmes

I was reading Klassen and Barnett’s ‘Looking at Picture Books’ newsletter again and really loved their thoughts on why Klassen’s book, I Want My Hat Back, isn’t too dark for…

Double standards for picture books

https://i0.wp.com/www.writerandthewolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Painting-the-town-green-1-10.png?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024 683 Siobhan O'Brien Holmes Siobhan O'Brien Holmes https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e13fe604611de8ab95f8fa1e5862d0115e805367dd2bb462c28ba4013cebfee7?s=96&d=mm&r=g 06/05/2025 23/05/2025

By: Siobhan O'Brien Holmes

This morning I was reading through the archives of Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett’s awesome Substack newsletter, Looking at Picture Books, and came across a really interesting question they were…

Hello and welcome to The Cubhouse, a blog about writing, reading, finding, researching and analysing children's and young adult books 📚

I'm Siobhán, a developmental editor working with authors of middle grade and YA fiction. I'm also a mum, a volunteer school librarian and a Children's Literature MA grad, so my interest in kidlit is personal and academic as well as professional!

I passionately believe that children and teenagers need and deserve access to great stories, not only because reading for pleasure develops empathy, boosts comprehension levels and contributes to overall happiness and success in life, but also because it's fun.

That's why I spend my days helping brilliant writers create wonderful books fo children and teenagers.

Joelle Wisler
Siobhán's advice shaped my manuscript and query into a project that got a full manuscript request from an agent in the first week of querying.

Jennifer Grolemund
I am completely BLOWN AWAY! Your feedback is SO helpful and SO thoughtful. You are a truly talented editor!

Hazel Compton
One of the best things I’ve ever done for my writing. I’ve been writing for years, but this manuscript critique has developed and delved into a much stronger, deeper and focused version of my novel.

Angela Kecojevic
You’ve nailed everything and picked up on the things only an editorial expert can spot! You really have been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better editor to help with this!