Page 66 - Novelist Post – J.D. Barker and more

Lynne Roberto Shares the Heart and
Imagination Behind Her Beloved Stories
for Children
Lynne Roberto dLiscusses how her imaginative childhood shaped her storytelling, the inspirations behind her beloved characters, and her heartfelt mission to help children navigate emotions through magical, meaningful stories.
By Carly Preston London
A Journey of Creativity, Resilience and Timeless Storytelling
66 II NOVELIST POST
ynne Roberto is a truly How did growing up distinct personality—how do
remarkable talent who surrounded by your parents' you develop these unique
has enchanted readers toymaking creativity influence traits for each character?
of all ages with her your approach to storytelling? Jack was a strong character to ability to weave heart-
felt stories, inspired by her vivid Growing up, I was taught to begin with and is apparent right imagination and life experienc- think creatively or “out of the off in the story when he chooses
es. From the magical influence of her toymaker parents to her ability to capture life's beauty through photography and art, Lynne brings a rare authenticity and warmth to her books. Her boundless creativity and passion for storytelling shine through each page, making her works a blend of joy, wonder, and deeply resonant life lessons.
box”. I was hardly ever told “No, his child. He is a real stuffed
Whether it’s the tender and poignant moments in Grandma Forgets: But I Remember, or the rich, emotionally-charged adven- tures in her Jack the Bear series, Lynne has a unique gift for connec- ting with her readers, particularly children. Her characters are alive and brimming with personality, teaching valuable lessons about resilience, friendship, and sel- f-acceptance while maintaining a magical charm that only Lynne can create. It’s little wonder her work has left indelible impressions on
so many, from young readers eager for the next adventure to parents and caregivers deeply moved by her heartfelt storytelling.
you can’t do that” and usually told “Let’s figure out how to do that”, or “How can you make that work?” It made it easy to see possibilities in everything I did
As far as storytelling, my folks encouraged all my wild tales. They were happy and engaged to hear what my dolls and animals were doing from the age of three on. At that age I had a doll that traveled to Europe and Cuba and had adventu- res. He was very much alive in my imagination. I just knew my toys had an active life when we weren’t looking, and I told everyone about it. I continued though the school years and wrote a space age novel when I was in 6-7th grade. My parents loved reading every new chapter and kept encouraging me to do more and more.
What inspired you to create the character of Mia in "Grandma Forgets: But I Remember"?
My sister asked me to create this story for children dealing with
an aging member of their family suffering with memory loss. Mia became part me, part my sister as we were the main caregivers of
our aged parents and grandparents. I wanted the story to be from a child’s view. Several of the stories in the book come from our real-life situations in dealing with early onset dementia and rapidly aging parents and grandparents. I wanted this story to ease the way for child- ren to understand that memory loss doesn’t mean that love is lost.
In the Jack the Bear series, each toy seems to have a
animal, purchased after my mom died as a comfort to the grown-up child. I did talk to him in my grief and from that comfort I started thinking about how special stuffed animals help us with emotions and imagination. It was easy to have Jack develop friendships with other animals as I had always known they have lives of their own. Scar- let is the shy one, based on some of my fears of not being liked, or not being valued for your personality. She finds one friend and builds
In this interview, you’ll glimpse the heart and mind of an artist whose creative roots run deep. Ly- nne Roberto is not just an author— she is a storyteller of profound sensitivity and imagination, who writes to touch hearts, encourage understanding, and remind us all of the wonder in the world. This con- versation unveils the inspirations, experiences, and joy that shape her extraordinary stories and gives us
is a way forward and you can be happy again. I used my childhood feelings as the basis for my charac- ters. I wanted to express that it’s ok to be afraid, to ask for help and to rely on those you trust.
a deeper appreciation for the magic she brings to life through her work. Enjoy this delightful glimpse
into the world of a truly inspiring creator.
How do your photography/art hobbies influence the scenes and imagery in your books?
In the past 30 years, I have taken thousands of photos. Most I use
as inspiration for my paintings. I also review them for my stories. I might look at dolphin pics to think about how they work with Oliver, or harbor scenes, to influence his journey to safety. In Jack the Bear, the dream sequences are right out of my mind, things I would have
her confidence and begin to shine with the other toys after which
she discovers they are all alike. George is the insecure bear- fear- ful of looking different. He turns
to his friends, and they help him appreciate his individuality. He discovers that friendship is even more important than appearances. Oliver is a survivor. I wanted to impress children that even with the loss of people important to you and devastating situations, that there