Creating Kids' Illustrated Books: Is the Character Morally Ambiguous or Evil? (Continuation Part 5)
In the world of children's picture books, consistency, relatability, and emotional engagement are key elements that make a story resonate with young readers. One author who masterfully achieves this is Yvonne Blackwood, an award-winning author, world traveler, and retired banker.
Blackwood's books, such as "Nosey Charlie Comes To Town", "Nosey Charlie Goes To Court", and "Nosey Charlie Chokes On A Wiener!", are renowned for their unique characters with distinct expressions and catchphrases. One such character is Charlie, a recurring character in the series, who is not just a name but a character with a memorable catchphrase.
The unique expression created by Blackwood for Charlie is "What have I done, what have I done? I only wanted to have some fun!". This catchy phrase is Charlie's go-to expression throughout the series, adding a touch of humour and relatability to the character.
But what is the secret behind creating such engaging characters? Blackwood, like many successful children's book authors, uses a tool known as a Character Bible. This reference guide defines each character's personality, goals, traits, emotions, and background, ensuring characters stay consistent throughout the story and helping the author flesh out their motivations and development in a way that children can understand and connect with emotionally.
For instance, the main character in Blackwood's books, Ronnie Rabbit, is more than just his name. By detailing Ronnie's emotions, goals, and struggles, children can see themselves in the story and internalize its messages more deeply.
Similarly, supporting characters should also have details recorded, especially if they reappear. This helps maintain coherence and meaning across the narrative and illustrations, making the story more engaging for young readers.
In "Nosey Charlie Comes To Town", Blackwood not only created a memorable character but also a memorable catchphrase. This catchy expression, which Charlie often uses when he gets into trouble, adds a layer of anticipation and fun to the series, making it a favourite among young readers.
In summary, a Character Bible is crucial for maintaining consistency in character behaviour and traits, making characters relatable and memorable for children, supporting the clear communication of themes and morals appropriate for children’s understanding, and helping the author keep track of characters and their development throughout the story creation process. For authors writing children's picture books, creating a character bible for the main character and secondary characters is an essential step in crafting engaging, relatable, and memorable stories.
In the realm of children's picture books, authors often lean on a Character Bible to make their characters relatable and memorable, such as Yvonne Blackwood who uses this tool for her acclaimed series, "Nosey Charlie". This references guide includes each character's personality, traits, emotions, background, and more, ensuring characters like Charlie, with his distinctive catchphrase, remain consistent throughout the story and resonate with young readers.
Moreover, in Blackwood's home-and-garden of characters, Ronnie Rabbit stands out as more than just a name due to his detailed emotions, goals, and struggles, which mirrors the lifestyle of young readers, enabling them to connect with the story on a deeper level.
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