Emotional Themes in Marie Lee Book and How to Use Them in Your Own Writing

Emotions are at the heart of every great story, especially in children’s book writing. When young readers connect with characters emotionally, they become more engaged and walk away with valuable lessons. One author who expertly weaves emotional themes into her stories is Marie Lee. Her books explore relatable feelings like joy, sadness, frustration, and belonging, making her stories resonate deeply with young readers.

In this post, we’ll take a close look at the emotional themes Marie Lee uses in her writing and explore how you can apply them to your own children's books to create meaningful, memorable stories.

Why Emotional Themes Matter in Children’s Book Writing
Children’s books aren't just about entertaining young readers—they also help kids understand their feelings and navigate emotions. Through relatable characters and situations, children learn to express what they’re going through and develop empathy for others. Emotional themes create a bridge between the reader and the story, making the experience both engaging and meaningful.

Marie Lee’s books are excellent examples of how emotional themes can enrich a story. Her characters face challenges that mirror real-life situations children experience, from feeling left out to overcoming fears. Let’s dive into the emotional themes she uses and how you can incorporate them into your writing.

1. Belonging and Identity
In Marie Lee’s books, a recurring theme is the need to belong and find a sense of identity. Her characters often feel caught between two worlds—whether it’s navigating cultural differences or adjusting to new environments. This theme resonates with young readers, who may also struggle to fit in or figure out who they are.

How to Apply This:
Write stories where your characters try to find their place—whether it’s in a new school, a sports team, or a family situation.
Explore cultural identity or personal interests as a part of the character’s journey.
Show the character learning to embrace what makes them unique and finding acceptance.
Example: Your protagonist could be a child who just moved to a new city and feels out of place. As the story unfolds, they make new friends by sharing something special about their culture or interests.

2. Fear and Courage
Marie Lee’s stories often show characters feeling afraid but learning to face their fears. Whether it’s standing up for themselves or trying something new, her characters grow by pushing through their anxieties. This theme encourages readers to acknowledge their fears and realize that courage doesn’t mean being fearless—it means acting even when you’re scared.

How to Apply This:
Introduce a situation that makes your character nervous, such as performing in front of others or trying a new activity.
Show the character building confidence step-by-step rather than succeeding instantly.
Use small victories to demonstrate personal growth, even if the challenge isn’t fully resolved.
Example: A character afraid of swimming could take lessons throughout the story, eventually finding the courage to jump into the pool by the end—even if they still feel nervous.

3. Friendship and Conflict
Friendship is a core theme in many children’s books, and Marie Lee captures both the joys and challenges of relationships. Her stories don’t shy away from the reality that friendships can involve disagreements, jealousy, and hurt feelings. These emotional ups and downs help young readers understand that it’s okay to struggle in relationships and that learning how to resolve conflicts is part of growing up.

How to Apply This:
Create characters who experience both the good and bad sides of friendship—like having fun together but also feeling left out at times.
Include a conflict between friends and show how they work through it with understanding and communication.
Use dialogue to reveal how characters feel and how they learn to express those feelings to each other.
Example: Two friends could argue over a misunderstanding, like one feeling abandoned when the other joins a new group. The resolution could involve them discussing their feelings and realizing they can have other friends without losing each other.

4. Loss and Acceptance
Marie Lee’s books explore themes of loss in gentle, thoughtful ways. Whether it’s the loss of a pet, a loved one, or even a friendship, her characters go through the stages of grief and eventually find acceptance. This helps children understand that loss is a part of life and that it’s okay to feel sad for a while before finding ways to heal.

How to Apply This:
Write about different kinds of loss—not just death, but also the loss of routines, friendships, or familiar places.
Show the character experiencing a range of emotions, from sadness to anger to acceptance.
End the story on a hopeful note, showing that healing takes time but is possible.
Example: A child who moves away from their old neighborhood might feel sad about leaving their friends behind. Over time, they adjust to their new surroundings and find ways to keep in touch with their old friends.

5. Empathy and Kindness
Marie Lee’s characters often grow by learning to understand the feelings of others. Her stories emphasize the importance of being kind, even when it’s hard, and show how empathy can strengthen relationships. These themes teach young readers that kindness isn’t just about grand gestures—it’s about listening, helping, and making others feel seen.

How to Apply This:
Include scenes where characters learn to notice and respond to others’ emotions.
Show how small acts of kindness, like sharing or offering a listening ear, make a difference.
Create situations where your character initially struggles to be kind but grows over time.
Example: A character might feel frustrated with a classmate who is always quiet, only to realize later that the classmate is shy and appreciates small gestures like a friendly smile or a kind word.

6. Overcoming Jealousy and Insecurity
Another emotional theme Marie Lee explores is jealousy. Her stories show that it’s natural to feel envious sometimes, especially when comparing oneself to others. However, they also demonstrate that jealousy can be overcome through self-acceptance and personal growth. These lessons help children understand their own insecurities and find healthy ways to manage them.

How to Apply This:
Introduce a situation where your character feels jealous, like a sibling getting more attention or a friend achieving something first.
Show how jealousy can affect relationships and create challenges.
Write about the character’s journey to overcome insecurity by focusing on their own strengths and accomplishments.
Example: A child might feel jealous when their friend wins a contest, but over time, they realize they have their own unique talents to celebrate.

Final Thoughts: Using Emotional Themes in Your Children’s Book Writing
Marie Lee’s books show us that emotional themes are essential for creating meaningful stories. Whether it’s learning to belong, facing fears, or building empathy, these themes help children connect with characters and reflect on their own emotions. When writing your own children’s books, consider weaving in these emotional elements to make your stories more relatable and impactful.

Remember, children’s book writing isn’t just about telling a story—it’s about creating experiences that help young readers grow emotionally. By exploring themes like belonging, friendship, loss, and kindness, you can write stories that not only entertain but also shape how children understand themselves and the world around them.

With these emotional themes as part of your storytelling toolkit, you’ll be able to craft narratives that leave a lasting impression on young readers. Happy writing!


https://marieleebook.com/