Author and Illustrator: Two Jobs

Learn the difference between the person who writes and the person who draws.

A picture book often has two makers. The author writes the words. The illustrator makes the pictures. Sometimes one person does both jobs.

You can find their names on the cover: 'written by' names the author, and 'illustrated by' names the illustrator. Both have a purpose. If the words tell a silly story, the illustrator often draws funny, colorful pictures to match.

If the words teach facts, the pictures might be careful drawings or photos. The words and pictures work together to reach the same purpose.

• 1The author writes the words.
• 2The illustrator makes the pictures.
• 3Words and pictures work toward the same purpose.