Your Life-Changing Children’s BooK
Course
Bring the worlds within you to life
Your Life-Changing Children’s Book: an 8-week creative course for anyone who has a story rattling around within them and wonders what might happen if they actually, finally, followed it.
This course is built around a simple but powerful idea: children’s books are one of the most accessible, magical, and enduring ways to share wisdom, imagination, and life lessons.
Whether you’re brand new to storytelling or an experienced writer drawn to the simplicity and soul of children’s books, this course gives you the structure, guidance, and momentum to finally bring your story to life.
March 3 - April 21, 2026
Every Tuesday, 7-8pm EST, 4-5pm PST
Over eight weeks, you will…
Discover why children’s books are such a powerful storytelling form
Identify the heart of your story and the life lesson you want to share
Create memorable characters and emotionally resonant arcs
Play with rhythm, cadence, and voice
Understand how words and images work together
Edit with intention so every page sings
Explore illustration and publishing options
Leave with a finished manuscript
This course is for you if…
You’ve been carrying a story, lesson, or idea that won’t leave you alone
You don’t necessarily see yourself as a “writer,” but you feel called to tell your story
You’re a parent, teacher, healer, or creative soul wanting to make something meaningful
You want to finish something and say, “I did it.”
Our Curriculum
Week 1 – The Heart of Your Story
Discover the soul of what you want to say. Whether it's a message, a metaphor or a moment of wonder; this is where we begin.
Week 2 – Write Here, Write Now
You have to start somewhere and this is where we do. We get the words flowing. We learn to play with rhythm, cadence, rhyme vs. prose and unlock your unique storytelling voice.
Week 3 – Creating Characters
Ever wonder what makes some characters unforgettable? Learn how to create beings that children (and adults) fall in love with - generation after generation.
Week 4 – Story (&) Structure
Here’s where we craft your idea into a story that works. We’ll cover beginnings, middles and ends. Emotional arcs, satisfying resolutions and the tension between imagination and clarity.
Week 5 – Illustration 101
Here we’ll explore the magic of how image and text dance together, what to expect when working with illustrators, how to illustrate yourself (even as a non-artist), using AI ethically and how to tell a story visually not just verbally.
Week 6 – The Art of Editing
They say all writing is re-writing. In this section we’ll make every word count. We’ll revise your draft with intention, refine the flow, get feedback and ensure each page sings.
Week 7 – Putting it All Together
Here’s where it all comes together. We’ll lay out your manuscript into what’s called a book dummy, marry the visual and verbal elements, and prepare it to be shared with friends, family and potential publishers.
Week 8 – Self Publishing & The Marketplace
We’ll explore potential pathways and go over the pros and cons of independent, traditional or hybrid publishing. We’ll look at what each pathway means for you and your creative freedom and what it really takes to bring your book into readers’ hands.
Hi, I’m Jon Marro
I am an award-winning artist, author, and filmmaker. I’ve written and illustrated three children’s books, and in my work I’m often described as a Vision Sower - someone who helps imagination take root and grow.
Whenever I’ve gone through major life transitions: grief, heartbreak, or change - I’ve returned again and again to storytelling as a way to heal, transform and reconnect to my joy.
I believe everyone has a world within them: a unique soul-scape filled with characters, lessons, and their special kind of magic. My role is to help you bring your worlds to life.
Testimonials
I’m not sure my book would have gotten done without the magic of Jon Marro. I had an idea and even a manuscript, but what I lacked was a truly compelling story arc to take the reader on a worthwhile journey and deliver them to a beautiful resolution.
Jon helped me build out the world, develop the characters, and flesh out a story worthy of the audience.
If you are hankering to water the seed of a children’s book idea that has been knocking on your heart, and end up as a published author, then I highly recommend Jon as THE guy to help.
— Dianna Bonny, Author of The Afterland
I signed up for Jon’s Children’s Book course on a whim. I didn’t know where to begin, how to hone my vision or how to take it from idea to fruition. To my surprise, Jon’s course gave me everything I needed to bring my ideas to reality, and in the course of 1 year I wrote and published my first children’s book! You will not regret it, and with dedication and his guidance, you too can make all of your book dreams come true.
— Lindsey Courcelle, Author of A Cup Of Dreams: Chamomile
What you’ll receive…
8 x 60-minute live virtual group calls and Q&As (all calls recorded & emailed)
Weekly homework assignments to tap into your imagination and storytelling
Access to a digital library of resources including: my favorite resources for writing, illustrating and publishing
1 x 90-minute “study hall.” A crowd-sourced think tank where you bring the places you’re stuck or have questions and get real time feedback, encouragement, ideas and inspiration from Jon and course members
Support, accountability, and creative momentum
Optional pathways to go deeper with 1-on-1 coaching
A supportive, playful, and focused container designed to help you finish, have fun and not overthink
Bring your story to life
$795
$695
$100 off before February 15
