Photo: Lynne Roberto, masterfully blending childhood wonder and heartfelt life lessons to create stories that inspire, comfort, and resonate across generations.
Lessons On Resilience, Love, And Self-Discovery
Lynne Roberto shares her journey of creative childhood, heartfelt motivations, and the timeless themes of resilience, individuality, and love that define her magical and meaningful children’s stories.
Few authors can capture the wonder and intricacies of childhood as deeply as Lynne Roberto. Known for her heartfelt children’s books, Roberto has created stories that bridge imagination and empathy, offering young readers lessons on resilience, love, and individuality. Whether through the joyful adventures of the Jack the Bear series or the poignant reflections in Grandma Forgets: But I Remember, her work resonates with audiences of all ages, blending life’s challenges with imaginative storytelling.
Raised in a creative household, Roberto’s journey as a writer began early—nurtured by her parents, who taught her to think outside the box. “Growing up, I was hardly ever told, ‘No, you can’t do that,’” she recalls. “Instead, it was, ‘Let’s figure out how to do that.’” This supportive environment fueled her first forays into storytelling, with a colorful cast of dolls and toys that came to life in her imagination. By middle school, her love for narrative had already produced a space-age novel, eagerly read and encouraged by her family.
This creative upbringing laid the foundation for her unique ability to connect with children through her books, where characters like Jack, Scarlet, George, and Oliver don’t just entertain but help young readers explore complex emotions. In Grandma Forgets: But I Remember, for instance, Roberto draws from her personal experiences with family members suffering from memory loss. The story is told from the perspective of a child named Mia and helps children understand that while memory may fade, love remains steadfast. “I wanted this story to ease the way for children to understand that memory loss doesn’t mean that love is lost,” Roberto says.
“Even when the worst happens, I wanted kids to understand that they can be happy again.” – Lynne Roberto
Her Jack the Bear series continues this tradition of empathy and depth, introducing toys that reflect real-world struggles like self-doubt, insecurity, and loss. Each character radiates their own personality, often inspired by Roberto’s experiences. She describes Jack as a comforting figure who took shape during her grieving process after her mother’s death. Scarlet, the shy one, embodies Roberto’s own childhood fears of being undervalued or misunderstood, while George portrays the journey of learning to embrace one’s differences. Oliver, the central figure in Saving Oliver: The Elephant Who Went to Sea, is a survivor, demonstrating the resilience it takes to overcome devastation and find happiness again.
Lynne Roberto crafts emotionally rich, imaginative stories with profound empathy, gently empowering children to navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
“Oliver is a real stuffy I found floating by my boat,” she reveals. “I wrote the story to help children deal with loss and devastation. Even when the worst happens, I wanted kids to understand that they can be happy again.” Through each of these characters, Roberto communicates a vital message: it’s okay to experience fear and sadness, but with the support of loved ones and friends, children can navigate through their challenges.
The visual elements of her books are also deeply personal. A devoted photographer and artist, Roberto draws inspiration from her collection of thousands of photos and paintings. “I might look at dolphin pics to think about how they work with Oliver,” she notes, layering rich, vivid imagery into her stories. These creative hobbies bring depth to her settings, adding a magical quality that engages young imaginations.
One of the hallmarks of Roberto’s work is her ability to balance life lessons with lightheartedness and magic. “Children need to learn there can be a solution to problems and not be afraid to look for them,” she explains. “Learning to find the fun in situations can ease the pain.” It’s an approach that makes her stories impactful without ever feeling heavy, offering hope and reassurance alongside adventure.
Reader feedback has validated Roberto’s heartfelt efforts. She treasures moments like hearing about a young child who disregarded birthday gifts to read Jack the Bear with her great-grandmother or learning how her books comforted kids in moments of vulnerability. “One the most touching experiences was when someone auditioning for the audible version of Jack the Bear read the first chapter to his granddaughter. She immediately asked him to buy the book to learn what happened next.”
Reflecting on her success, Roberto shares what makes her stand out in the crowded field of children’s literature. Her genuine understanding of both the struggles and joys of growing up is paired with a magical view of the world. Through her stories, children are not just entertained—they are guided, nurtured, and affirmed. Lynne Roberto’s books may begin on the pages of a children’s story but often find their way into the hearts of families, creating lasting memories that transcend generations.
Her latest release, Perfectly Purple: George’s Story, continues to celebrate these themes. It tells the tale of a purple teddy bear who learns to embrace his uniqueness, highlighting that self-love and friendship are part of every child’s journey toward finding joy in who they are.
As an author, artist, and champion of childhood imagination, Lynne Roberto proves that stories can be both magical and meaningful, reminding us that even in life’s hardest moments, love, laughter, and friendship endure.
