must write one this month as a school assignment. They are deceptively simple....

that's interesting. I suppose you start with a story idea and then choose pictures?

nope. No pictures. Only words. Which is way harder, but mimics the professional process. Very rarely do people write AND illustrate picture books, and the words always come first.

the publisher chooses the illustrator. It's a strange but effective process.

it seems very odd.

agrees.

What your general theme and/or age range is.

I have chosen to write a book for slightly older kids...6-8. I was allowed to choose any theme/topic. I came up with a draft yesterday that I'm quite happy with.

if it is easier or harder to write for kids who can actually read?

also if there is a database somewhere for writers to figure out whether/which vocabulary words are age appropriate?

never seen such a database. YOU SHOULD MAKE IT.