Photo: Lynne Roberto, author and storyteller, blending childhood wonder and heartfelt life lessons into stories that comfort and inspire generations of young readers.
Heartfelt Stories That Help Children Understand Love, Loss, and Resilience
Lynne Roberto reflects on how her imaginative childhood, creative family, and emotional experiences inspire her children’s books, which offer comfort, understanding, and hope through magical characters and meaningful storytelling.
Lynne Roberto brings to life the kind of stories that speak not only to children but to the hearts of those reading beside them. With books such as Grandma Forgets: But I Remember and the Jack the Bear series, Roberto blends emotional depth, whimsy, and universal life lessons with a unique warmth and understanding. Her ability to inhabit a child’s perspective while navigating themes of loss, friendship, courage, and resilience is what makes her work so beloved across generations.
Raised in a home steeped in creativity—her parents were toymakers—Roberto learned from an early age to think imaginatively and problem-solve with open-mindedness. “I was hardly ever told ‘No, you can’t do that’,” she recalls. “Usually I heard, ‘Let’s figure out how to do that.’” Her storytelling began as a young child, narrating the adventures of her dolls and animals. A space-age novel followed in middle school, encouraged all the while by parents who delighted in each chapter.
This nurturing of imagination laid the groundwork for characters like Mia in Grandma Forgets: But I Remember, a story born from Roberto’s and her sister’s real-life experience caring for loved ones with memory loss. Mia represents the voice of the child navigating such complex changes. “I wanted this story to ease the way for children to understand that memory loss doesn’t mean that love is lost,” Roberto says.
Lynne Roberto’s writing beautifully balances emotional depth with gentle magic, offering young readers comfort, empathy, and unforgettable lessons in resilience.
The Jack the Bear series grew out of a similarly intimate space. Jack himself was purchased following the loss of Roberto’s mother—a comforting presence during a time of grief. What began as an adult’s silent companion became the heart of stories about stuffed animals learning, healing, and growing together. Scarlet, shy and uncertain, finds her courage in friendship. George, who fears being different, comes to understand his value beyond appearances. Oliver, the elephant who loses everything but finds hope at sea, symbolises the healing power of resilience.
Each character draws upon fragments of Roberto’s own childhood emotions and experiences, with their stories gently addressing themes of anxiety, self-worth, grief, and love. “I wanted to express that it’s okay to be afraid, to ask for help and to rely on those you trust,” she explains.
Roberto’s visual creativity extends beyond writing. A keen photographer and artist, she often uses her own images to shape scenes and settings in her books. “I might look at dolphin pics to think about how they work with Oliver, or harbour scenes to influence his journey to safety.” These visual references support the vivid dream sequences and imaginative settings that bring her stories to life.
“Memory loss doesn’t mean that love is lost.” — Lynne Roberto
Despite tackling difficult themes, Roberto is committed to preserving lightness and joy within her narratives. “I think it’s important to balance the explanations for life lessons with easy-to-understand situations and some magic and comedy,” she says. “Learning to find the fun in situations can ease the pain.”
Even stand-alone titles like A Gremlin Lives Here stem from personal memories—this time, of her own children’s antics. The transition from private storytelling to published series came naturally, as her children clamoured for more tales about Jack and his companions.
Among the many responses from readers, one memory stands out for Roberto. “Peanut’s 5th birthday was last night and she got a ton of gifts,” she recalls. “But all she wanted to do was crawl into her great grandma’s lap and read the Jack books. Oliver is her favourite story.” Another child, upon hearing an auditioned voice actor read from Jack the Bear, insisted her grandfather buy the book so she could find out what happened next.
“I wanted to express that it’s okay to be afraid, to ask for help and to rely on those you trust.” — Lynne Roberto
These moments reaffirm what Roberto has always known: stories have the power to soothe, uplift, and connect across generations. Her work reminds readers, young and old alike, that love remains, imagination heals, and even in uncertain times, joy can be found—often in the arms of a well-loved toy.
Source: Novelist Post Interview with Lynne Roberto
EDITOR’S CHOICE
A heartwarming, beautifully told tale that celebrates self-love, friendship, and embracing uniqueness—perfect for nurturing confidence in young readers.
