Environment, Theme, Contests

This week I'm continuing to spotlight themes in children's literature. The themes of The Munched-Up Flower Garden and Trouble in Troublesome Creek focus on the environment and ecology. Children's books need strong, universal themes. And what is a universal theme? It's an underlying message—subtle, not preachy—that children everywhere can respond to.

Many children's books deal with such universal themes as loneliness, new school, new pet, new baby, moving, and friendship. These themes can wor...