Character design—what an important (and fun) part of the book writing process! Whether you’ve finished your first draft or you’re in the early stages of writing, it’s important to visualize how your characters will look—whether they’re humans, animals, or even inanimate objects.
If there’s one thing worth keeping in mind, it’s this: your characters need to be visually interesting to children.
Every part of a character's look—from the shape of their noses to the clothes they wear—can add to the story and appeal of a book. Let’s look at why character design is so important and tips for bringing your own characters to life.
Why Character Design Is So Important
Think about some of your favorite picture books. What did the characters look like and what made them stand out to you? Maybe it was the clothes they wore, their oversized glasses, or the fact that they had big, expressive eyes. For children—especially younger ones—visuals are everything. They often see and understand the world through pictures. Character design is where you can create the emotional connection between your story and its readers.
Thoughtful design transforms your characters into storytellers.
Here's why it matters:
It Builds Emotional Connections
When children see characters that look like them or share similar experiences, it begins to cultivate an emotional connection. Even small details, like messy hair or mismatched socks, could be what makes the story feel personal and relatable. When your character has depth, children naturally become captivated with who they are and the life they live. When they begin to see themselves in the story, it makes it that much more meaningful.
It Reflects the Diversity of Real Life
The characters in your book should look like the children your audience sees in their daily life. The more you can include characters from various backgrounds and experiences, the more impactful your story can be. This also allows children to learn about others who might be different from them or even help them develop sympathy for someone going through a different challenge that they haven’t faced.
It Creates Memorable Characters
When you think of memorable characters, what comes to mind? Maybe you think of Corduroy, the little stuffed bear in his green overalls, or the classic look of Winnie the Pooh and his red t-shirt. Just the smallest of details can be what makes your character stand out to an audience. A well-designed character—from their facial expressions down to their clothing—is what helps them become instantly recognizable and lovable for years to come.
It Drives the Narrative
Characters aren’t just part of the story; they are the story. It’s their actions and personalities that shape the plot. For children, it’s often the visuals that bring those traits to life. The way a character is designed can tell children so much before a single word is even read—and that’s what keeps them engaged from beginning to end.
Tips For Bringing Your Character to Life
Whether you’ve had a clear picture of your character in mind since day one or you’re still figuring it out with the help of an illustrator, these tips will help ensure your character looks exactly how you’ve always imagined from the very first moment you see them on the page.
Don’t Overthink It
While this might be easier said than done, it is still an important tip. If you find yourself getting caught up in the details, try starting with the basics. Is your main character a curious bear cub? Or maybe a spunky little girl with red pigtails? Let these initial details be your guide. After all, you don’t have to have every tiny detail figured out immediately—that’s where your illustrator comes in.
Give your illustrator just enough details to spark their creativity. You’ll find they often bring your character to life in ways you didn’t even imagine. And when you see the sketches of your characters for the first time, trust your gut. You’ll often know when your character feels just right.
Visualize While Writing
While you are writing, be in continuous thought about your character—this will be really helpful when you hire an illustrator. Make sure you know everything about your characters. I like to start by writing their name at the top of a page and then describe everything about them—what they look like, their age, what they do for fun, where they live, if they have siblings. Not only does this give them depth, but it helps you begin to imagine how they might look. Think about what makes your character stand out. Once you identify those traits, it will help make them more real to you.
Make Them Relatable
What is going to make your characters feel real to young readers? You’ll need to think about your target audience for this. If your character is 10 years old, step into the shoes of a 10-year-old. What challenges are they facing? What’s important to them right now? What kind of clothes, hairstyles, or interests might make them feel familiar to children their age? These are the details that help children feel a personal connection to the story.
Collaborate With Your Illustrator
Yes, working with your illustrator is a team effort. For my first book, I CAN Believe in Myself, my illustrator and I collaborated on every character. She started by asking me to describe each one (I said, brown hair, second grade, big brown eyes) and then she presented me with several versions to choose from. We refined the details together to create the final look of the character. After we completed each character's look, we then did the same process for their wardrobes. I wanted to make sure that each of their outfits reflected their personalities.
My advice for this step? Give your illustrator room to be creative. Remember, you hired them for a reason. Keep in mind that how much input you have may depend on your contract, which usually outlines how many illustrations you’ll receive. Make sure you look over your contract in depth and bring up anything you have questions about with your illustrator. They also want to make sure you love everything!
Test It Out With Children
Once you receive some sketches back from your illustrator, who better to ask for feedback than the ones who will be reading your story? Children are often (very) honest and might even surprise you with suggestions to make your character. Show them the sketches and ask what they think. What do they like about the character? Does anything stand out to them? Would they change or add anything? If they have a positive response, it means you’re on the right track!
Common Mistakes Authors Make With Character Design for Children's Books
Of course, there are some mistakes I’d like to point out that authors can make when working on character design for children's books. These can be easy to overlook, but I promise, avoiding them will make a big difference:
- Forgetting to think about the child who will be reading the story.
- Thinking like an adult instead of seeing the world through a child’s eyes.
- Giving characters voices that sound too grown-up for their age.
- Making characters look “perfect” instead of real—children do lose teeth and have messy hair, so it’s okay to show that!
Bringing your characters to life through design is truly an unforgettable milestone in your journey to becoming a children’s author. It’s the moment your words are transformed into a visual that young readers will see and bond with one day. Collaborating with your illustrator is such a special part of the process, so enjoy every moment. You’re just one step closer to seeing your book published!