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Belonging and Significance by Maria Oka

3/19/2015

11 Comments

 
According to Adlerian Psychology, once a child’s most basic physical needs of food and shelter are met, he then craves two essential emotional needs: belonging and significance. It should come as no surprise, then, that many (most?) children’s books heavily feature those themes. 

Picture
Take Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato for example. Little Elliot is a small pink and blue polka-dotted elephant (off the charts in cuteness). But Little Elliot has a big problem. He lives in a big city and is rarely noticed. It isn’t until someone comes along who needs Elliot’s help (significance) and becomes his friend (belonging), that Elliot finds his happy ending. Couple that with the author’s dedication at the front, “For anyone who feels unnoticed,” and you have a pretty astounding tale for any child who has ever felt misunderstood or lonely.

Another is the 2014 Caldecott winner by Dan Santat The Adventures of Beekle, The Unimaginary Friend. Beekle is an imaginary friend who is seeking for his human companion. Beekle’s entire journey is literally to find significance by belonging to someone. Without giving too much away, he accomplishes that purpose. It is a story that resonated with my daughters as soon as they heard it, and I believe it is not the just breathtaking art, or the adorable marshmallowy character, but the themes behind the story that continue to draw them back.

Picture
Picture
One of my favorite picture books is The Sea Serpent and Me by Dashka Slater (art by Catia Chien). It is the story of a little girl who finds a tiny sea serpent in her tub and cares for him, watching him grow, before having to return him to the ocean. It is one of those rare picture books that can make you both laugh and cry in the span of a few pages. They find belonging and significance in each other's friendship, and the girl also finds significance in helping her Sea Serpent return to where he truly belongs.

If I were a betting gal, I’d wager that the first book you pull from your shelf would feature some element of those themes. It’s instinctual to write about the things we desire most. So, what are you writing? How will your characters achieve that sense of belonging that every child craves, and that sense of significance that comes by taking action for themselves? If you look at your manuscript in that light, how might it change your problem, your solution, or even your characters? Happy Writing!

11 Comments
Ronna Mandel link
3/20/2015 06:37:52 am

Enjoyed and really appreciate this themed post today.

Reply
Maria Oka
3/20/2015 06:52:33 am

Thank you Ronna! I hope your writing is going phenomenally.

Reply
danielle @ this picture book life link
3/20/2015 07:55:31 am

I love this observation and these examples. THE SEA SERPENT AND ME is an all-time favorite of mine! (The other two are new faves.) It has the added element of belonging and significance and, thus, the ability to let go but hold onto those things. Powerful stuff!

Reply
Maria Oka
3/20/2015 10:28:36 am

Thank you Danielle! I love your blog and I must admit that I had to snag Little Elliot Big City immediately after reading your review of it.

Reply
danielle @ this picture book life link
3/22/2015 02:35:27 am

Maria, that's so kind of you!!

Mary McClellan
3/20/2015 12:35:03 pm

Maria, I really enjoyed your post. I just picked up Beekle and plan to read it over the weekend. Now I've got two more books to reserve. Love the themes of belonging and significance -emotional needs that start in childhood but continue through life!

Reply
Maria Oka
3/20/2015 01:33:33 pm

Yay Mary! Yes, these are some of my current favorites, and those needs definitely continue our whole lives! I think if everyone deeply felt those two things in positive ways, this world wohld be a different place. I love how books can bring those messages home without being "preachy".

Reply
Amanda link
3/20/2015 03:08:49 pm

We just checked out Beekle at the library today. Fun coincidence! Now I'm excited to read it. Thanks for the reviews and thoughts!

Reply
Maria Oka
3/26/2015 01:59:04 pm

Yay! It is such a fun one. :)

Reply
Kirsti Call link
4/3/2015 09:54:28 am

I can't wait to read THE SEA SERPENT AND ME! Thanks for the fabulous post, Maria!

Reply
Annie Bailey
4/4/2015 01:36:35 pm

Great post Maria! Can't wait to read these books!

Reply



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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Mastering Great Graphic Novels >
      • 2023 Mastering Graphic Novels Registration
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
    • The Chapter Book Alchemist
    • New!! Middle Grade Mastery Instant Access
    • 2022 Kidlit Palooza >
      • 2022 Palooza Program
      • 2022 Palooza Faculty
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    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
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    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
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