Do you feel called to write a children’s story that covers a serious topic or explores deep emotions? Stories have a unique way of shaping who we are. The ideas and lessons from the books we read at an early age can have a lasting impact on our character, knowledge, and values.
For this reason, children’s books are an incredible resource adults can use to address serious topics or emotions in a gentle, yet engaging way to children. The most effective way to do this in your story is through non-human characters.
Getting Started: Choose Your Theme Before Your Characters
The heart of your story lies in your theme. Before you can dream up your characters and setting, you need to clearly define the message you want to convey. When choosing the theme, make sure you consider the age of your reader. Once you do this, you will also have an easier time deciding characters that are age-appropriate.
Common serious topics explored in children’s books include:
- Grief
- Illness
- Divorce
- Anxiety
- Friendship
- Diversity
- Learning Differences
The Power of Non-Human Characters
It is important that complex topics are presented to children in a simplified and age-appropriate manner. When you incorporate elements like animals or make-believe, it offers comfort and familiarity, allowing children to understand the story without feeling overwhelmed.
When writing on a serious topic for children, it should be appealing and engaging to them. By incorporating non-human characters, you can write a story that not only teaches a lesson but is one they want to read over and over.
I often think about The Berenstain Bears and how nearly 400 different books in this series have been published since 1962. The series focuses on a family of bears (Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Brother Bear, and Sister Bear) living in a treehouse. The stories follow the experiences of this family that are common for so many children, such as eating too much junk food, learning obedience, and introducing a new family member. These aren’t revolutionary lessons, but generations of children have fallen in love with this collection because of the relatable characters, humorous stories, and visually engaging illustrations.
Choosing Human vs Non-Human Characters
The decision of your characters will depend on the theme of your story. If your theme is sensitive, it is best to use non-human characters like animals or fairytale creatures. There are five options you can choose for characters:
- Real Children
- Cartoon Children
- Animals
- Fairytale Creatures.
- Inanimate Objects
Real Children
Real children are often used in books when the problem is simple and not threatening. Because real children often identify with other real children, you should be extra careful if you are considering the idea of using human children when exploring a sensitive topic.
Cartoon Children
Cartoon children are different from real children because they can be exaggerated and silly. This makes them humorous and engaging for young readers. However, because of their unrealistic qualities, children don’t associate them with being “real.” This makes it safe to discuss serious topics.
Animals
It can be challenging for parents and teachers to address real children’s misbehavior directly. Using animal characters makes these situations more approachable, allowing adults to teach valuable life lessons in a gentle and relatable manner (think The Berenstain Bears or Franklin books). When a dog is being "bad" or a cat is being "sassy," it often feels more manageable for both adults and children.
Fairytale Characters
“Once upon a time in a far away land” starts a story that can get away with practically anything. Dragons, castles, and princes are familiar and engaging concepts that invite children to use their imagination. Though these characters are imaginary, they can still embody human experiences that children can resonate with.
Inanimate Objects
By giving inanimate objects human-like qualities, you can create captivating stories that children will love to learn from. For example, Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree uses a tree to explore themes of love, sacrifice, and the cycle of life.
Human Character vs Non-Human Character Examples
The following titles are examples of engaging children’s books with both human and non-human characters.
Human Characters
The Bye Bye Pie by Sharon Jennings
- Theme: Importance of family
- Character: Real boys who live with their parents in a real world (not cartoon-looking)
- Significance: This story explores the importance of sibling bonds and cooperation
Non-Human Characters
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Theme: Managing strong emotions (specifically anger)
- Character: Non-human monsters representing strong emotions
- Significance: Max learns to regulate his emotions by “defeating” the monsters and returns home
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
- Theme: Death and loss
- Character: Non-human toy (rabbit)
- Significance: The story explores complex themes through the lens of a child’s toys
Hansel and Gretel by The Grimm Brothers
- Theme: Cooperation, resourcefulness, and overcoming adversity
- Character: Non-human witch who represents danger and evil
- Significance: Hansel and Gretel learn the importance of working together in difficult situations
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
- Theme: Obedience and consequences
- Character: Non-human monkeys who represent misbehavior
- Significance: The story is humorous while teaching a lesson about how jumping on the bed is unacceptable
The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room by Stan and Jan Berenstain
- Theme: The value of maintaining a clean and organized space
- Character: Non-human bears (Brother Bear, Sister Bear, Mama Bear, Papa Bear)
- Significance: The story teaches children the importance of developing good habits
Conclusion
When writing about sensitive topics, you should always approach the subject matter with empathy and care. If the theme of your story is sensitive or serious, it is best to discuss complex themes by incorporating non-human characters, such as animals, fairy tale characters, or cartoon characters.
Books are such a fantastic way to open up meaningful conversations with young children. Using non-human characters can create a safe space for children to explore serious emotions and experiences without feeling overwhelmed.
FAQs
How to write children's books step by step?
To write a children’s book, you must first have a clear understanding of your target audience, plot, and theme. You’ll then need to create memorable characters and write an engaging story. From there, you’ll create a visual representation of your story to consider the balance between text and illustrations before heading to print. You can learn how to write, publish, and launch your children’s book with my 10-week Children’s Book Masterclass.
How to include a moral lesson in a story?
Children can grasp complex ideas when they are presented in engaging ways. To weave a moral lesson into the story, focus on making it implicit rather than explicit. Let the character's actions and consequences speak for themselves.