By BookBaby author Lauren Davish

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Growing up can be tough. Thankfully, we have stories to guide us along the way — and the best book themes are universal, whether they’re in adult literature, children’s literature, or anything in between. Are you embarking on your own quest to write and publish a children’s book? Here are some of the most common themes in children’s literature, with examples from current and classic stories — some of which might even have inspired you!

Friendship

Friendship is one of the most common themes you’ll find in children’s books. Think of some of the most well-known children’s stories, or your favorites as a kid. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White is a classic example of a very uncommon friendship forming between the main characters: Charlotte, a spider, and Wilbur, a pig.

In Charlotte’s Web, Charlotte is dedicated to saving Wilbur’s life by writing messages about him on her web. The story shows young readers the importance of friendship and how friends can be made in the most uncommon circumstances. It also includes adult themes, like death, which can be a tricky concept to explain to young kids.

It helps that the characters are anthropomorphized animals, which adds a level of interest that might not resonate had White chosen all human characters.

Self-discovery

We all learn through stories. As adults, perhaps we take to more motivational, real-life accounts, but children learn about themselves through characters. One great example of a theme of self-discovery is in The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, which, I might add, is also incredibly enlightening for adults.

The story follows a prince who leaves his planet for the first time and travels to other planets, where he meets eccentric characters who teach him life lessons along the way. Like all great stories, The Little Prince weaves in other universal themes, including friendship, love, and loss.

Self-expression

Characters in books with themes that center around self-expression let young kids know that being confident in expressing their authentic selves is an important part of growing up and being happy.

I Am Me: A Book of Authenticity, by Susan Verde, is a great example of this theme. Throughout the story, we learn what it really means to be yourself: having your own style; being proud of your body, skin, and hair; and most importantly, how loving our authentic selves brings us more joy.

Self-acceptance

Like self-expression, self-acceptance is a popular theme in children’s books. Children, particularly around elementary school age, can start to compare themselves to their peers. They might pick out what they find different about themselves and see it negatively. Books about self-acceptance can help kids to understand that their differences are what make them unique, and that if we were all the same, life would be boring!

The main character in Elmer, by David McKee, walks us through this idea. Elmer is an elephant who doesn’t look like the rest of the elephants in his herd. He is made up of bright colors that make him stand out, and we follow as he struggles with these differences. By the end of the story, though, Elmer realizes that he likes being different, and as he accepts himself, he is accepted and welcomed by his peers.

Overcoming challenges

Life is full of obstacles and challenges, and children can learn that overcoming such obstacles is possible through stories. A great example of a book that incorporates this theme is After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) by Dan Santat. This story retells the classic story of Humpty Dumpty through the eyes of Humpty himself. We see how he overcomes his fear of heights through courage and resilience, showing young readers how they can do the same.

Growing up

Generally speaking, growing up presents a variety of challenges. Stories can help kids of all ages learn how to cope with each life stage, friendships, and learning to love themselves for who they are.

Little Juniper Makes it BIG by Aiden Cassie uses the theme of growing up to tell the story of Juniper, a raccoon who is ready to grow up and grow taller. We follow as Juniper learns to appreciate her size and see the world in a new light — which is what growing up is all about.

Life at school

School is a huge part of a child’s life, so learning how to navigate the challenges that come along with it is important. Once again, stories can help! In Look How Much I’ve Grown in Kindergarten, by Vera Ahiyya, we follow the main character, Mason, as she sets goals for growth with the guidance of her teacher. Readers can follow along with Mason in setting their own goals for their individual growth, too.

How to find your children’s book theme

Finding your children’s book theme isn’t just about seeing what’s popular or what might sell on the bookshelves. It’s about using your own experiences and reflecting on your personal values to tell a story that’s unique while touching on a universal theme. It’s about embracing diversity and inclusivity in a way that welcomes young readers of all backgrounds.

Additionally, you can draw inspiration from your favorite stories that helped you along the way. Think about what books you couldn’t put down as a kid. Then, think about why you couldn’t put them down. What were the underlying themes of the book? What were the characters like? What did you relate to?

Ultimately, finding the theme of your story comes down to you, the author, speaking from the heart. Use your imagination to create a relatable story that will help kids as they grow.

Tips for writing a children’s book that resonates with kids

So, what makes a good children’s book? There are various elements to consider when writing and designing your book. Here’s some tips to get you started:

1. Create characters that kids will love. Personified animals or a child main character are common — though you still need to add dimension to create a character kids will relate to.
2. Have bright, colorful illustrations. Pictures help to tell a story — especially for kids.
3. Design an attractive book cover. The story starts at the cover, and children will be drawn to one that stands out on the bookshelf. BookBaby offers cover design services by experienced, talented designers who will tell your story before the reader even opens your book.
4. Define your age range. There are very distinct age ranges when it comes to children’s books. For example, a kindergartener most likely wouldn’t be able to read something written even for a first grader. Make sure you are writing for a specific age group, using language and themes that your reader can understand.

When you’ve got your theme determined and your manuscript ready for publication, BookBaby’s Children’s Book Self-Publishing Package has everything you need to turn your amazing adventure into a book every child would love to read.

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