gh-jamesrochabrun-skills/skills/kids-book-writer/references/values_themes.md

Values and Themes for Children's Books

Teaching positive values and important life lessons through engaging storytelling—showing, not telling.

Core Principle: Show, Don't Preach

❌ Preachy (Telling)

"Remember, children, you should always be kind to others.
Being kind is very important. You must be kind every day.
The end."

Why This Fails:

• Lectures the reader
• No story
• No character to relate to
• No emotional connection
• Boring and forgettable

✅ Story-Driven (Showing)

Maya saw the new kid sitting alone at lunch.
His lunch tray was empty—just a small apple.

Maya looked at her own lunch. Sandwich, chips, cookies, juice.
She had so much.

Maya took a deep breath and walked over.
"Hi, I'm Maya. Want to share my cookies?"

The boy's face lit up. "Really? I'm Alex. Thanks!"

As they ate together, Maya realized something:
Sharing didn't make her cookies less special.
It made them taste even better.

Why This Works:

• Shows kindness in action
• Character makes a choice
• Natural consequence (friendship, good feeling)
• Reader experiences the lesson through character
• Memorable and emotionally resonant

Universal Values for Children's Books

1. Kindness & Empathy

What It Teaches:

• Considering others' feelings
• Helping those in need
• Being inclusive
• Treating others well

Story Framework:

Character sees someone struggling/sad/alone
↓
Character has choice: ignore or help
↓
Character chooses kindness (maybe overcomes own discomfort)
↓
Positive outcome for both
↓
Character feels good, learns empathy

Example Scenarios:

• Inviting lonely kid to play
• Helping elderly neighbor
• Being kind to someone different
• Standing up for someone being teased
• Sharing with someone who has less
• Comforting a friend who's sad

Books That Do This Well:

• "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud
• "The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig
• "Each Kindness" by Jacqueline Woodson

Sample Opening:

Title: "Leo's Invisible Friend"

Every day at recess, Leo played alone.
He built sandcastles in the corner of the playground,
far from the other kids.

One day, Mia noticed him.
Not just saw him—really noticed.

She noticed how carefully he built each tower.
She noticed how he smiled at his creation.
She noticed he was all by himself.

"Can I help?" Mia asked.

Leo looked up, surprised. "You want to?"

"Your castle needs a moat," Mia said, grabbing a shovel.

By the end of recess, they'd built the best sandcastle ever.
And Leo wasn't invisible anymore.

2. Courage & Bravery

What It Teaches:

• Trying despite fear
• Standing up for yourself/others
• Facing new challenges
• Overcoming anxiety

Types of Courage:

• Physical (trying scary playground equipment)
• Social (making first friend, public speaking)
• Emotional (trying after failure)
• Moral (standing up for what's right)

Story Framework:

Character faces something scary/new
↓
Character feels fear (validating emotion)
↓
Character gets support/finds inner strength
↓
Character tries despite fear
↓
Outcome (success OR valuable lesson in trying)

Example Scenarios:

• First day of school
• Learning to swim/ride bike
• Performing in front of others
• Standing up to bully
• Trying something after failing
• Speaking up when something is wrong

Books That Do This Well:

• "Brave Irene" by William Steig
• "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn
• "Jabari Jumps" by Gaia Cornwall

Sample Story:

Title: "Mira's Big Voice"

Mira had ideas. So many ideas!
In her head, they were brilliant.
But whenever she tried to share them in class...

Nothing came out.

Her voice got stuck somewhere between her brain and her mouth.

"What if they laugh?" her worry whispered.
"What if it's a bad idea?" her fear muttered.

One day, her class was stuck on a problem.
Nobody could figure out how to build a tall tower that wouldn't fall.

Mira had the answer. She knew she did.

Her hand shook as she raised it.
Her voice wobbled as she spoke.

"What if we... put the wide blocks on the bottom?"

The room went quiet.

Then her teacher smiled. "Mira, that's brilliant! Let's try it."

It worked.

Mira's voice was small, but her idea was BIG.
And that's what mattered.

3. Honesty & Integrity

What It Teaches:

• Telling the truth even when hard
• Admitting mistakes
• Keeping promises
• Doing the right thing

Story Framework:

Character makes mistake or is tempted to lie
↓
Character faces choice: lie or tell truth
↓
Character sees consequences of dishonesty (if applicable)
↓
Character chooses honesty (or learns lesson)
↓
Natural consequences (usually relief, respect, trust)

Example Scenarios:

• Breaking something and admitting it
• Cheating temptation
• Keeping a promise despite inconvenience
• Returning found money/item
• Admitting you don't know something
• Taking responsibility for actions

Books That Do This Well:

• "The Empty Pot" by Demi
• "A Big Fat Enormous Lie" by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Sample Story:

Title: "The Cookie Jar Mystery"

The cookie jar was empty.
Completely, totally empty.

"Who ate all the cookies?" Dad asked.

Jake's little sister pointed at him. "Jake did it!"

Jake opened his mouth to say "No, I didn't!"

But that would be a lie.

He HAD eaten the cookies. All six of them.
His stomach still hurt, actually.

"I... I did," Jake said quietly. "I'm sorry."

He waited for Dad to be mad.

Instead, Dad sighed. "Thank you for being honest.
That took courage. But you know you were supposed to ask first."

"I know," Jake said. "I'll help you bake more?"

"Deal," Dad said. "Honesty makes everything better.
Even when it's hard."

Jake learned that day: Telling the truth might feel scary,
but lying feels worse.

4. Perseverance & Growth Mindset

What It Teaches:

• Trying again after failure
• Practice makes progress
• Mistakes are learning opportunities
• Effort matters more than immediate success

Story Framework:

Character wants to achieve something
↓
First attempt fails
↓
Character feels frustrated/wants to quit
↓
Support/encouragement or self-reflection
↓
Character tries different approach
↓
Progress (not necessarily perfection)
↓
Character learns value of persistence

Example Scenarios:

• Learning new skill (sport, instrument, art)
• Difficult homework/school project
• Making something (building, cooking, crafting)
• Achieving personal goal
• Overcoming obstacle

Books That Do This Well:

• "Rosie Revere, Engineer" by Andrea Beaty
• "The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires
• "Ish" by Peter H. Reynolds
• "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds

Sample Story:

Title: "Zara's Wobbliest Bike Ride"

Zara wanted to ride her bike without training wheels.

Attempt #1: She fell before she even started. THUD.
Attempt #2: She made it three feet. Then CRASH.
Attempt #3: Five feet! Then BOOM.

"I can't do this!" Zara yelled, throwing her helmet.

Her big brother picked it up. "You're getting better.
You went from zero feet to five feet. That's progress!"

"But I keep falling," Zara said.

"Yep. That's how you learn," he smiled.

Attempt #4: Seven feet before falling.
Attempt #5: Ten feet!
Attempt #10: Zara made it to the end of the driveway.

She fell. But she rode.

"I did it!" she shouted.

"You did," her brother said. "Because you kept trying."

Falling wasn't failing, Zara learned.
Giving up was.

5. Self-Acceptance & Confidence

What It Teaches:

• Being yourself is enough
• Everyone is unique and special
• Differences are valuable
• Self-worth doesn't depend on others' opinions

Story Framework:

Character feels different/inadequate
↓
Character tries to change to fit in OR feels bad
↓
Situation arises where their uniqueness is valuable
↓
Character realizes their difference is their strength
↓
Self-acceptance and confidence

Example Scenarios:

• Being different from peers (appearance, interests, abilities)
• Having unique talent
• Not fitting in
• Feeling "not good enough"
• Comparing self to others

Books That Do This Well:

• "The Pout-Pout Fish" by Deborah Diesen
• "Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae
• "Elmer" by David McKee
• "The Sneetches" by Dr. Seuss

Sample Story:

Title: "Penny's Polka Dots"

Penny the penguin was born with polka dots.
Not black and white like other penguins.
Black and white AND pink polka dots.

The other penguins whispered.
They pointed.
They laughed.

Penny tried to wash off the dots. They wouldn't budge.
She tried to cover them with snow. It melted.
She tried to hide. But you can't hide polka dots.

One day, Penny's little brother got lost in a snowstorm.
All the penguins looked the same in the white snow.

But Penny?
Her pink dots shone through the storm like beacons.

Her brother saw the dots and found his way home.

"Your dots saved him!" the penguins cheered.

Penny looked at her polka dots differently that day.
They weren't weird.
They were wonderful.

Being different wasn't a problem.
It was her superpower.

6. Friendship & Loyalty

What It Teaches:

• Being a good friend
• Forgiveness
• Resolving conflicts
• Supporting friends
• Sharing and cooperation

Story Framework:

Character has friend OR makes new friend
↓
Conflict or challenge arises
↓
Friendship tested
↓
Character makes choice (selfishness vs. friendship)
↓
Character chooses friendship
↓
Relationship strengthened

Example Scenarios:

• Friends having disagreement
• New friend vs. old friend
• Being there when friend needs you
• Forgiving a friend
• Sharing something important
• Standing by friend in difficulty

Books That Do This Well:

• "Frog and Toad" series by Arnold Lobel
• "Stick and Stone" by Beth Ferry
• "Enemy Pie" by Derek Munson

Sample Story:

Title: "The Best Worst Birthday"

It was Emma's birthday, and she'd planned the perfect party.
Games: check.
Cake: check.
Best friend Sophia: check.

Then the new girl, Ava, moved in next door.

"You should invite her," Mom said.

"But then it would be uneven for games!" Emma protested.

"Emma..." Mom gave her The Look.

Fine. Emma invited Ava.

On party day, Sophia got sick. She couldn't come.

Emma's perfect party was ruined.

Or... was it?

Ava showed up with homemade friendship bracelets for everyone.
She taught them a game from her old school.
She even brought her dog, Biscuit, who did tricks!

It wasn't the party Emma planned.
It was better.

Later, Emma called Sophia. "I miss you! But Ava is really nice.
I think you'd like her too."

"More friends are always better than fewer," Sophia said.

Emma agreed. Perfect parties didn't need perfect plans.
They just needed good friends.

7. Sharing & Generosity

What It Teaches:

• Giving to others
• Joy in sharing
• Thinking of others
• Generosity feels good

Story Framework:

Character has something they treasure
↓
Someone else needs/wants it OR could benefit
↓
Character struggles with wanting to keep it
↓
Character chooses to share/give
↓
Unexpected joy/reward (not material—emotional)

Example Scenarios:

• Sharing toys
• Giving to those with less
• Sharing time/attention
• Donating belongings
• Helping others

Books That Do This Well:

• "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein
• "Those Shoes" by Maribeth Boelts
• "Maddi's Fridge" by Lois Brandt

8. Gratitude & Appreciation

What It Teaches:

• Being thankful
• Appreciating what you have
• Noticing small joys
• Expressing thanks

Story Framework:

Character wants more/different things
↓
Character overlooks what they have
↓
Situation shows what they'd lose
↓
Character gains new perspective
↓
Appreciation for what they have

Example Scenarios:

• Wanting toys others have
• Appreciating family
• Being thankful for home
• Noticing nature/simple pleasures
• Thanking helpers (teachers, parents, etc.)

9. Respect & Inclusion

What It Teaches:

• Respecting differences
• Including everyone
• Treating all people with dignity
• Celebrating diversity

Story Framework:

Character encounters someone different
↓
Initial misunderstanding or exclusion
↓
Character learns about the person
↓
Discovers commonalities and values differences
↓
Friendship and understanding

Example Scenarios:

• Cultural differences
• Physical differences
• Different abilities
• Different family structures
• Different interests

Books That Do This Well:

• "All Are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold
• "The Colors of Us" by Karen Katz
• "Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña

10. Responsibility & Helping

What It Teaches:

• Taking care of belongings
• Helping family
• Following through on commitments
• Contributing to community

Story Framework:

Character given responsibility OR asks for privilege
↓
Character neglects responsibility
↓
Natural consequences occur
↓
Character learns and steps up
↓
Pride in being responsible

Example Scenarios:

• Getting a pet (responsibility)
• Chores and helping
• Being trusted with task
• Taking care of belongings

Theme Complexity by Age

Ages 2-4: Simple, Clear

Appropriate Themes:

• Sharing toys
• Being kind to friends
• Trying new foods
• Bedtime routines
• Basic emotions (happy, sad)

Keep It:

• Concrete
• Immediate
• Positive
• Simple cause-effect

Ages 5-7: Expanding

Appropriate Themes:

• Making friends
• First day experiences
• Small fears
• Being helpful
• Learning new skills
• Simple fairness

Can Include:

• Mild conflict (resolved)
• More complex emotions
• Character growth
• Simple moral choices

Ages 8-9: Nuanced

Appropriate Themes:

• Complex friendships
• Identity and belonging
• Social issues (simplified)
• Loss and change (appropriate)
• Standing up for beliefs
• Ethical dilemmas

Can Handle:

• Moral complexity
• Multiple perspectives
• Internal conflict
• Longer character arcs
• Realistic problems

Multi-Layered Themes

Best books teach multiple values:

Example: "The Dandelion Wish"

Primary theme: Self-acceptance
Secondary themes:
- Handling bullying (respect)
- Finding your purpose (identity)
- Kindness (the little girl)
- Looking beneath surface (beauty in unexpected places)

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

❌ Too Preachy

"And so Timmy learned that sharing is good.
Everyone should share.
Always share.
The end."

Fix: Let character discover through experience, not lecture.

❌ Unrealistic Consequences

"Billy shared his toy, so he immediately got a new bike!"

Fix: Realistic, internal rewards (good feeling, friendship, pride)

❌ Villain-izing

"The mean, horrible, terrible bully was sent away forever."

Fix: Show everyone can grow, change, and make better choices.

❌ Adult Problems

Story about divorce, death, serious illness without age-appropriate handling

Fix: Match complexity to age, focus on child's experience and resilience

❌ No Stakes

"Everything was perfect. Everyone was happy. The end."

Fix: Include realistic challenge that character must overcome

Diverse & Inclusive Themes

Representation Matters

Include:

• Different family structures
• Various cultural backgrounds
• Different abilities
• Range of body types
• Gender diversity
• Economic diversity

Authenticity:

• Research lived experiences
• Avoid stereotypes
• Consult sensitivity readers
• Normalize diversity (not always "the lesson")

Universal Themes, Specific Characters

Good approach:

Universal theme: Belonging
Specific character: Child of immigrant parents navigating two cultures
Result: Specific, authentic story that resonates universally

Values Worksheet

Before writing, identify:

1. Primary Value: What's the main lesson?
2. Character Flaw: What does character need to learn?
3. Story Problem: How does problem relate to value?
4. Character Choice: Where does character choose lesson?
5. Natural Consequence: What happens because of choice?
6. Emotional Payoff: How does character (and reader) feel?

Summary

Effective value-teaching in children's books:

• Shows values through action, not lectures
• Creates relatable characters facing real challenges
• Allows characters to make choices
• Includes natural consequences
• Provides emotional payoff
• Age-appropriate complexity
• Respects young readers' intelligence
• Leaves readers thinking and feeling

"The best children's books don't teach lessons—they offer experiences that help children discover lessons for themselves."