How does OPB get books?
Most of the PBs that are reviewed here are sent directly to me from traditional commercial publishers. Occasionally, I also receive books from small, university, or select indie presses.
If you’d like your publisher or publicist to submit a title for consideration, they can mail a physical review copy or galley to:
Ryan G. Van Cleave
1673 Pinyon Pine Drive
Dept. OPB
Sarasota, FL 34240
(Digital copies or email attachments aren’t accepted unless specifically requested.)
What about self-published books?
OPB focuses on titles from established publishing houses. At this time, self-published books are not considered for review or feature.
If you’ve self-published a picture book, congratulations on getting it into the world—but OPB’s focus remains on traditionally published work.
How many books get reviewed?
Each year, I personally review between 25 and 45 picture books on Only Picture Books through full reviews and five-word reviews.
In addition, many other titles appear in reading activity posts, themed lists, or classroom resources, but those aren’t reviews. Even with those mentions, what shows up on OPB represents only a small fraction of the books that arrive on my desk each year.
What’s the criteria for being chosen?
Literary and visual merit.
“What does THAT mean?” you might be asking.
- Books that have heart.
- Books that resonate.
- Books that are skillfully done.
- Books that matter.
Does that mean a PB has to be perfect to be used at OPB? Not at all. But a book that doesn’t excite me—or my SCBWI PALS group, or my “Writing Picture Books” students, or my PB writing peers, or my own kids—is unlikely to be included here.
Do books have to be recent to appear in OPB?
Yes. When it comes to reviewing picture books, OPB is only interested in seeing forthcoming or VERY recently published titles (out for 3 months or less).
Occasionally, OPB runs special posts–like Picture Book Lists or Bonus Goodies or themed roundups–that might use contemporary and classic/older books.
Can I pay to have you review my book?
No. Books are chosen purely on merit and fit. OPB isn’t a pay-for-review site.
The only funds connected to OPB come from affiliate links, voluntary donations, or paid critique services unrelated to book selection—all of which help keep the site running and free for readers.
Will you ever totally trash a book in a review?
I don’t see the value in a purely negative review.
If it’s not going to be a generally positive review, I’ll choose something else to cover. There are other review sites and reviewers who’ll handle the mud slinging. Not at OPB, though.
My hope is that people come to OPB to find books, writers, and information worth sharing and talking about.
What do you do with copies of books you received that aren’t chosen to be used in OPB?
They’re often:
- donated to area schools, churches, and youth reading programs
- used in classes at Ringling College, such as “Writing Picture Books” or “Illustrating Children’s Literature”
- shared with/given to students
- shared with/given to early-career PB writers
- given to good homes where they’ll be appreciated and used