Is "32 Pages" a Myth?

Sit in any picture book writing 101 webinar and they will tell you one thing about picture books - they are 32 pages.

But are they? I pulled some picture books off my shelf.

Itty- Bitty Kitty-Corn: 48 pages; copyright page in the front; pub 2021

Dragons Love Tacos: 40 pages; copyright page in the front; pub 2012

If you had a Jetpack: 32 pages; ends with title page and dedications on the end paper; pub 2018

Anywhere Farm: 32 pages; ends with a final illustration; copyright at the front; 2017.

The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn: 48 pages (this is a Caldecott illustrator though); copyright at the back; pub 2024

This is a good time to pause to remember page 1 is often pasted down and that an author doesn't ACTUALLY have 32 pages in a 32 page picture book. They have 12 spreads or 24 pages. Books with 40 pages have about 14 spreads depending on copyright/dedication and title pages. For more on this, check out this post from Tara Lazar!

How to Catch a bookworm: 32 pages; copyright in the back; pub 2023

Llama Rocks the Cradle of Chaos: 48 pages; copyright at the front; pub 2022.

Blobfish Throws a Party: 32 pages; copyright at the front; pub 2017

Dandy: 40 pages: copyright at the end; pub 2019

The Little Witch Who Lost Her Broom; 40 pages; copyright at the front; pub 2024

Keep Up Little Duck: 40 pages; copyright at the front; pub 2024

Tomorrow Most Likely: 40 pages; copyright in the page; pub 2024

Conclusion: I'd say most picture books aren't strict to the 32 pages. Instead they make it work either by adding end papers, moving around the copyright page, title page, dedications or by having a colorful blank page at the end, etc. However 32 pages or 12-14 spreads is a good guideline if you are new to writing picture books.

Instead of worrying so hard about getting your words into 32 pages, just write the best story possible. Make sure there are fun, engaging page turns that build humor, suspense, or serve the emotional arc of the character.