Foundations to Create Relatable Characters (How to Create Relatable Characters for Children’s Books, Part 1)
The KidLit Creator’s Chronicle – Issue #35
Read any beloved children’s book, from The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Matilda, and you’ll notice that before the plot or theme captures a child, they fall in love with the character. At the heart of every great book is a character who makes us feel something. It might be laughter, curiosity, sympathy, or delight, but it’s always something. That character pulls the child in, holds their attention, and leaves an echo behind once the story ends. Without that emotional connection, the story doesn’t stick.
If a child doesn’t connect to at least one character, the rest of the story doesn’t really matter. Kids may enjoy a fun twist or a silly rhyme, but it’s the character that makes a book unforgettable.
This isn’t just a storytelling preference. It’s actually how the mind works.
Children naturally seek connection and belonging. They are wired to notice emotional cues like body language, tone, behaviour, and to seek safety. When they meet a character who feels real, that sparks recognition and connection. Children engage deeply with characters because a story gives them a safe space to “practice” life. A relatable character becomes a stand-in for the reader, helping them explore challenges, feelings, relationships, and problem-solving without ever leaving their chair.
Characters don’t just entertain children, they help to form how they understand themselves and others.
That is why creating a strong, relatable character is one of the most important things you can do as a children’s book author. The emotional connection between your character and your reader is what makes your story have impact and stay with the reader.
In this first edition of a two-part series, we’ll explore the foundations of creating relatable characters for picture books:
- what makes a character relatable,
- why flaws matter,
- the different types of characters you can use, and
- how to build multi-layered characters that feel real on the page.
If you’ve ever wondered how to create characters children truly connect with, this is where to start.
What Makes a Character Relatable for Young Readers?
When we talk about “relatable characters,” we’re really talking about something very human: connection. Children (and adults!) naturally look for themselves in the stories they read. They want to feel understood. They want someone to root for. Stories give them the opportunity to experience emotions safely through someone else. Sometimes before they face those moments themselves, sometimes to make sense of something they’ve already been through, and sometimes just to imagine, empathise, or understand others’ lives different from their own.
The reason for this goes deeper than enjoying a good story. It comes down to the way kids, and really people in general, are wired.
How Kids Are Wired to Connect With Characters
We pay attention to things that feel emotionally relevant. When children read about a character who is curious, worried, hopeful, frustrated, excited, lonely, proud, or scared, their minds recognise those emotions because they’ve felt them too.
Kids instinctively gravitate toward characters who help them “practice life” in a safe, imaginary space.
Through characters, children prepare to:
- make friends,
- deal with disappointment,
- solve problems,
- navigate fears,
- understand other perspectives,
- and grow into the people they’re becoming.
When someone relates to a character emotionally, the reader does more than observe. They experience the story with the character.
Imperfection Is What Makes a Character Feel Real
Imperfect characters are relatable. Perfect characters are not.
Readers don’t connect with perfect characters. It’s the flaws, the doubts, and the growth that make a character feel real and memorable.
We connect with characters who:
- try hard but still sometimes mess up,
- want something deeply,
- feel afraid or unsure,
- grow through challenges.
Flaws make a character human. A character who never struggles doesn’t give children anyone to relate to or root for. But a character who tries, fails, tries again, and finds their way is someone a child can love.
Think about how readers respond to characters like:
- Baby Llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama) who is anxious, and a bit impatient and dramatic,
- Peter Rabbit, who can’t resist mischief (no matter how hard he tries),
David (from No, David! by David Shannon) who just can’t seem to follow the rules, even when he’s trying to be good.
Kids see pieces of themselves in these characters. Their curiosity, temptations, trip-ups, courage, desire to grow, and their imperfections.
And that matters, because once kids can relate to a character, they can learn along with that character that:
- it’s okay to be scared,
- it’s okay to make mistakes,
- you can try again,
- you can change,
- you can become something more.
In other words: relatable characters make room for the reader to see themselves, and to grow into the best versions of themselves.
Common Character Types in Children’s Books
Children’s literature is wonderfully varied, and picture books invite all kinds of characters onto the page. Here are some of the most popular categories and why kids love them:
1. Human Characters
Children relate to characters who feel like themselves, their friends, or their family. These can include:
- kids,
- parents,
- siblings,
- teachers,
- classmates,
- neighbours.
Human characters work well for realistic stories or emotional themes. And characters from other cultures and communities can be wonderful for broadening a child’s worldview and giving more readers a chance to see themselves represented.
2. Animal Characters
Timeless, charming, and often easier to make universally relatable (as they have no race, culture and other distinctions). Animal characters can convey human emotions while adding a bit of distance, which can help some children face tricky feelings without it hitting too close to home.
Examples: Peter Rabbit, Olivia, or Pete the Cat
3. Magical Creatures and Fantasy Characters
Dragons, fairies, trolls, elves, unicorns, friendly monsters. These characters add a touch of magic or whimsy while having human traits and emotions.
4. Talking and Anthropomorphic Objects
Toys, crayons, food, vehicles, furniture… anything can become a character.
Kids love the unexpected, and turning an everyday object into a “living” personality can create instant delight.
5. Mythical Characters
Giants, gods, goddesses, shape-shifters, tricksters, spirits. Great for retellings, cultural stories, or stories that explore bravery, wisdom, or moral lessons.
6. Superheroes and Villains
Ideal for stories about courage, responsibility, or overcoming challenges.
They can be human, animal, or fantasy-based.
A Fun Writing Tip:
Try rewriting your story with your character reimagined as:
- an animal (or different animal),
- a magical creature,
- a talking object.
You might discover new traits, humour, or emotional depth you wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Protagonist vs. Main Character
These two terms often get used interchangeably, but they’re not always the same thing. In most picture books, they are the same character. But knowing the difference can help you make stronger, more intentional choices as you write your story.
The Protagonist
The protagonist is the character who drives the story forward.
They:
- pursue the main goal,
- face the central conflict,
- experience the biggest change,
- and push the plot forward through their actions and decisions.
They don’t have to be the narrator and they don’t even have to be the most relatable character, but they drive the story forward.
The Main Character
The main character is the character we experience the story through.
They:
- act as the reader’s lens or emotional anchor,
- help us connect,
- and guide us through the events as they unfold.
They might also drive the plot, but not always.
Are They the Same?
In most (almost all) picture books, yes. Your main character is usually also the protagonist who wants something, struggles to get it, and changes by the end. This is the simplest and most direct approach, especially for younger readers.
But sometimes, separating the two can serve the story better.
Example: In The Day the Crayons Quit, the crayons drive the conflict and emotional tension. They’re the protagonists.
Duncan is the main character. We follow him as he reacts, learns, and ultimately responds.
Writing Characters Who Feel Real Inside and Out
Every memorable character, whether they’re a dragon, a donkey, a child, or even a talking crayon, has depth. They aren’t flat. They feel real, even in the most fantastical worlds.
To make a character feel real to young readers, think of them as having two layers:
- the visible self (what we can see), and
- the inner world (why they are the way they are).
When both layers work together, your character becomes believable, relatable, and emotionally engaging.
The Visible Self: What We See
This is everything we can observe about your character, i.e. what another character (or the reader) could notice just by watching them. These outward traits help children quickly get a sense of who your character appears to be.
It includes:
- Physical traits (size, species, colours, clothing, facial expression)
- Visible personality (shy, bold, excitable, clumsy)
- Habits and behaviours (what they do often, how they move, how they react)
- The world around them (where they spend time, who they stay close to)
- The image they project, whether it’s real or a mask
This layer is your reader’s first introduction.
Example: Ferdinand (The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf)
Ferdinand shows us his comfort zone and personality from the very beginning. While the other bulls run, fight, and show off, Ferdinand chooses to sit quietly under a cork tree, smelling the flowers. He stays there every day, happy and calm. That behaviour tells us a lot about him, without him needing to say anything.
Ask yourself:
- What would stand out if someone watched your character for just a few seconds?
- What small habits or quirks would make them lovable, or a bit difficult to be around?
These small details help children instantly understand your character and begin forming a connection.
The Inner World: Why They Are the Way They Are
If the outer layer is what we see, the inner layer is what we feel.
This is the emotional core of your character – why they act the way they do, what they care about, and what drives them.
The inner layer is where depth and connection come from. This is where relatability lives.
Inner layer elements include:
- Motivations (why they want what they want)
- Emotions (fears, hopes, desires)
- Internal world (their inner thoughts or self-talk)
- Backstory (a small detail that shaped them)
- Agenda / purpose (what they want in each scene)
Picture books don’t need paragraphs of internal thoughts. They communicate the inner layer through:
- reactions,
- small lines of dialogue,
- choices,
- facial expressions in the illustrations.
Examples:
In The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld, the main character, Taylor, doesn’t say much. But the fact that he doesn’t react when animals try to fix or explain his feelings tells us a lot. When the rabbit shows up and just sits quietly, Taylor finally opens up. That one choice reveals his sadness and a need to feel safe before expressing himself.
In Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, CJ asks, “Nanan, how come we don’t got a car?” and his Nana responds, “Boy, what do we need a car for? We got a bus that breathes fire, and old Mr. Dennis who always has a trick for you.”
Picture books may be short, but the best ones create full, layered characters with just a few words. Readers feel like they know the character.
This depth creates empathy, which creates connection and memorability.
That’s what keeps children returning to the same book again and again.
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Over to you!
Ask yourself these questions to develop your character:
- What is one thing my character does or says early in the story that makes them likeable or relatable?
- Which key traits appear in the opening pages/spreads, and how do readers notice them?
- What’s the one thing your character cares about so deeply that they’d do anything to keep it safe?
- For every outer trait, what is the deeper reason behind it?
- How does my character want to be seen… and how do others actually see them?
These questions help you identify the emotional “why” behind the surface “what.”
Once you know both layers, you’re ready to create characters who feel real, lovable, and unforgettable to young readers.
