Lynne Roberto Shares How Her Childhood Imagination and Compassion Shape Stories That Comfort and Inspire Young Readers
PHOTO: Author Lynne Roberto brings imagination, love, and emotional wisdom to every story, crafting books that resonate with young readers and families.
Heartfelt Tales, Magical Adventures, And Timeless Lessons For Children
Lynne Roberto draws from childhood wonder and personal experiences to create stories that help children navigate emotions, grief, and friendship with warmth, creativity, and a touch of magic.
Lynne Roberto brings the boundless creativity of childhood and the wisdom of lived experience to every story she tells. Known for emotionally resonant books like Grandma Forgets: But I Remember and the widely cherished Jack the Bear series, Roberto writes with a rare mix of tenderness, imagination, and insight that continues to capture the hearts of children and parents alike.
Her stories often begin with empathy and evolve into tools for healing. With characters that face everything from self-doubt to loss, Roberto gently guides her readers through life’s big feelings. Jack, Scarlet, George, and Oliver are more than just toys—they are companions on the emotional journeys children take as they grow and learn. “Friendship, courage, and joy endure,” she says, “even in the face of loss and uncertainty.”
Lynne Roberto is a compassionate storyteller whose imaginative, emotional books empower children to understand life’s challenges with empathy and gentle strength.
This compassionate outlook stems from a childhood surrounded by creativity. Raised by toymakers, Roberto was encouraged to dream freely and solve problems imaginatively. “I was hardly ever told ‘No, you can’t do that,’” she recalls. “I was usually told, ‘Let’s figure out how to do that.’” Her parents welcomed her early storytelling—whether it was about dolls with passports or plush toys on secret missions. That supportive environment helped her internalize one of her strongest beliefs: imagination is a powerful source of resilience.
In Grandma Forgets: But I Remember, Roberto introduces Mia, a young girl learning to love through the difficult realities of memory loss. Inspired by Roberto’s own caregiving experiences with her sister, the book is deeply personal. “I wanted this story to ease the way for children to understand that memory loss doesn’t mean that love is lost,” she shares.
“Memory loss doesn’t mean that love is lost.” — Lynne Roberto
That same heart-centered approach is evident in the Jack the Bear series. Each stuffed animal character reflects emotional truths drawn from Roberto’s own childhood. Scarlet’s shyness, George’s fear of being different, and Oliver’s journey through grief are all rooted in experiences and emotions she remembers vividly. “I wanted to express that it’s okay to be afraid, to ask for help, and to rely on those you trust,” Roberto explains.
Art and photography have also become integral parts of her process. Over the past three decades, she’s collected thousands of photographs that inform her writing and painting. “I might look at dolphin pics to think about how they work with Oliver, or harbor scenes to influence his journey to safety,” she notes. This visual storytelling allows her to imagine vibrant scenes where toys come to life, dreams feel real, and children see themselves in every page.
One particularly moving story emerged from a real-life moment: Roberto found a stuffed elephant floating near her boat. That elephant became Oliver, the star of Saving Oliver: The Elephant Who Went to Sea, a tale about surviving loss and finding hope. “Even when the worst happens,” she says, “I wanted kids to understand that they can be happy again.”
“Learning to find the fun in situations can ease the pain.” — Lynne Roberto
Balancing deep emotional themes with the levity of childhood wonder is a delicate act, but Roberto embraces it with grace. “Children need to learn there can be a solution to problems and not be afraid to look for them,” she says. Humor, imagination, and compassion help her communicate difficult ideas in ways young readers can absorb without fear.
Unlike standalone stories such as A Gremlin Lives Here—inspired by her own mischievous children—the Jack the Bear series grew from the enthusiasm of readers who wanted more. Characters like Scarlet and George were based on real-life objects and experiences, giving the books an authenticity that resonates.
The most rewarding part of her journey, Roberto says, is the impact her stories have on young readers. One parent shared that despite a pile of birthday presents, their child simply wanted to curl up with their great-grandmother and read Jack the Bear. Another reader, a grandfather auditioning for the audiobook, read the first chapter to his granddaughter—who immediately asked him to buy the book so she could finish it.
Through it all, Lynne Roberto remains a storyteller with a mission: to help children face the world with open hearts, fearless creativity, and a deep understanding that they are not alone.
Source: Reader’s House Interview with Lynne Roberto
