This year, the Rhyme Doctors celebrate our fifth year of providing comprehensive rhyming picture book check-ups. At the outset, we expected our clients would struggle with poetic foot and metrical structure. But, five years in, we know that the manuscripts we receive are just as likely to experience story issues. 
As part of the revision process, we frequently suggest that our clients make a "dummy" of their story. A dummy is a tool that can help a writer imagine the layout of their text as a 32-page book (the most common layout of a picture book). Why is it important to do this? I will explain why in a moment. But first, I'd like to introduce you to two different versions of dummies that can serve two different purposes.

Brr! Baby, it's cold outside. Time to cuddle up with a cozy winter-themed picture book. Better yet, time to write one! "But wait," you say. "Hasn't this topic been covered . . . a lot?" True, snow and winter are enduringly popular topics for picture books. For good reason. There's perennial magic in that fluffy white stuff that falls from the sky. The key is to capture that magic in a fresh way.