Thinking About Theme

We love storytelling for so many reasons, but its ability to teach readers about the world is top of the list!

Research has found that reading to children helps to shape their understanding of the world. It’s no surprise that many parents seek out stories that deliver helpful lessons through theme.

Let’s look at what theme is, how you can harness it and a particular form of short storytelling that puts theme centre stage.

What is theme?

Simply put, theme is what your story is really about. It’s not the characters, plot or even what happens in the story, but the universal idea that runs throughout.

A writer could have a story about an apple, banana and an orange who bully and then befriend the exotic new pomegranate in the fruit bowl. But when they’re asked, they might actually say that it’s about accepting people for who they are.

Themes can be as broad as nature or love, or as specific as standing up for those who can’t speak up for themselves. It’s also possible for the same theme to appear in lots of different stories. On the other hand, a story might not have a theme at all!

The theme is an undercurrent that runs through your story. It gives the reader something to reflect on and take with them once the story is over; it’s what makes your story meaningful.

Finding your Theme

Theme is linked to whatever your main character values most, forming the emotional core of the story.

Sometimes, the theme will come first; sometimes an idea can inspire a theme. No matter how you get there, let it come naturally. Because a theme is referenced by suggestion and hints, the reader must be able to identify it on their own. For example, a story about a gang of pirates returning buried treasure to its owners could have a theme of appearances can be deceiving or honesty.

Here are some wonderful examples with a range of different themes:

The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett (illustrated by author): A little girl works hard all year to raise funds to buy a new bicycle only to discover someone else has bought it first, introducing themes of the value of hard work and generosity. 

 

Hey Little Ant by Philip and Hannah Hoose: What would you do if the ant you were about to step on looked up and started talking? Would you stop and listen? This story is centered around its theme of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. 

The Dark by Lemony Snicket (illustrated by Jon Klassen): The dark lives in Lazlo’s house, sits in his basement, but it stays out of his room… until the lightbulb breaks and Lazlo has to face his fears. 

As a much-needed layer that gives depth, theme should sit underneath everything else that happens in the story.

Some children’s writers feel the urge to make their theme stand out because they’re worried a reader will miss it. Resist that urge! First and foremost, readers want fiction to be entertaining, but a theme handled awkwardly puts a stop to this. It’s also important to remember every reader will have their own way of looking at the world. Every reader will interpret a story differently but spelling out a theme means they can’t do this.