It's a Small World After All

But Picture Books Talk Big

Last week I talked a bit about character in picture books, and in the next couple of weeks I’ll talk a bit more about antagonists and plot in picture books, but today I want to talk about theme.

I know this will date me - and I’m sorry to have planted the ear worm - but when I was little we took a family trip to the World’s Fair in New York in 1964. I only remember one thing about that trip: the Disney exhibit “It’s a Small World”. I remember that I insisted on going back on that ride at least three times, until my parents were completely crazed.

The child-sized scale of these animatronic figures, the changing scenes, the boat ride through a mystical magical place, the colors and music were mesmerizing. They spoke directly to me, a child. There was an underlying message in the display: all children, all over the world, alike and yet different, we all feel the same things.

This exhibit spoke to me just as picture books should speak directly to children, thematically.

What Lies Beneath

Picture books are small windows into a small child’s brain. They are often moments with perhaps hints of memories, or dreams, or events that taken out of context can feel slight.

Picture books should be anything but slight.

Let’s look at Andrea Wang’s WATERCRESS, illustrated beautifully by Jason Chin, as a mentor text. It’s a more complex and layered picture book than many, suitable for a slightly older reader (hence its many awards including the Newbery).

The child in the story is riding in a car with her family when suddenly parents stop and excitedly urge the girl and her brother to join them outside the car, in a ditch, harvesting wild watercress. The girl hates everything about this, but mostly she’s ashamed at harvesting something “free”. Then her mother relates that when she was a child, her family had almost nothing to eat, and the subtle implication is that her younger brother died of starvation. This shames the girl into trying the dish of watercress and she discovers how delicious it is. But more importantly she discovers that her shame is shameful. She’s changed (see that previous post) and now appreciates both her family and their outlook.

There’s such a powerful underlying theme in this simple story. When we feel ashamed of what we think we are missing, there are always others who have less. This is a message that children need to hear, and it’s delivered with delicacy and grace.

When You Wish To Write Any Book…

…not just a picture book, but any book, your first question must be “Why am I writing this?” Dig for your theme. Reach for something that is bigger than you first imagined. Because even a small book - a picture book - requires a big underlying theme. A reason why. A universal why.

• WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE: the theme is, know that you are loved even when you behave badly

• DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS: the theme is, you can’t always get what you want

• WINTERGARDEN: the theme is, be patient and you will be rewarded

What’s your story’s theme? Some questions to ask yourself:

• What do I want to say about the world?

• What is really important to me?

• What is the meaning behind my book - why am I writing this book, right now?

And If You Want More On Picture Book Craft

I’ve got a free short webinar for you, that’s packed with information. You can find it here:

And a free download for those of you writing anything for kids:

Happy writing, and please keep in touch!