When it comes to addressing important topics, especially for children, the medium through which these ideas are communicated is so very important.

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One of the most effective ways to reach and influence young minds is through characters. Whether in books, movies, or games, characters have a unique ability to embody complex themes in a super accessible and appealing way.

However, coming up with a children's character that resonates with kids and adults is no easy task. It’s a delicate balance—a real science—that requires understanding of psychology, design, and storytelling

Over the years, and as we continue to create a world full of wonderful Beasties, it has become pretty clear to us that there are certain elements that make a character more than just memorable, they make them emotionally resonate with the audience. So here are our five key considerations for crafting characters that can engage audiences of all ages, with a particular focus on how these characters can facilitate conversations around mental health and wellbeing, because… well, Book of Beasties 🙂

‍Relatability and Depth: Characters We See Ourselves In

A well-crafted character doesn’t just entertain, they offer a mirror for the audience to see themselves. One of the most important factors in character creation that resonates is ensuring they have depth. A character needs to have clear motivations, distinct personalities, and realistic flaws. This doesn't just make the character interesting; it makes them human.

Whether a character is a talking animal, a superhero, or an ordinary child, the audience needs to see aspects of their own life and struggles reflected in the character's journey.

When dealing with topics like mental health (for example), relatability is key. Characters who are open about their emotional struggles or challenges allow the audience to feel validated in their own experiences. For instance, children who see a character dealing with anxiety might feel less alone in their own anxious feelings.

Even us oldies can find solace in characters who display vulnerability and resilience, reinforcing the idea that it’s okay to struggle, and okay to ask for help.

A child might connect with a character's sense of wonder or confusion, while a parent might recognise and appreciate the character's perseverance or the way they handle failure. In this way, well-rounded characters bridge the generational gap, making them impactful to all age groups.

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Emotional Connection: Characters That Stir the He

The characters we remember most aren’t just visually impactful, they are emotionally impactful as well. Think of characters like Winnie the Pooh, Charlie Brown, or even the one word, cutest trash robot ever, Pixar's Wall-E. These characters may have a simple premise, but they evoke a deep emotional connection. Whether it’s through their triumphs, their vulnerabilities, or their relatable struggles, emotionally resonant characters leave such a lasting imprint on the audience.

When it comes to emotional wellbeing, emotions are central to the conversation. Characters that convey complex emotions in an accessible way can help normalise discussions around emotions. For example, a character dealing with grief, sadness, or anxiety might offer children a lens through which they can understand and articulate their own experience.

Moreover, emotionally engaging characters encourage empathy - which is one of our cornerstone qualities for any human bean, here at Book of Beasties. Children who witness a character's emotional journey are more likely to develop empathy, as they start to understand the feelings and struggles of others.

This can really be valuable when discussing emotional wellbeing, as it promotes a culture of kindness and support, where it’s okay to feel vulnerable and okay to offer help.
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Visual Appeal: The Power of First Impressions

While depth and emotion are crucial, the visual design of a character cannot be underestimated, especially in children’s media. Children are visual creatures, and they often form their first impressions of a character based on how they look. Bright, bold colors, expressive facial features, and unique visual traits make a character instantly recognisable and memorable.

Take iconic characters like SpongeBob SquarePants or Pikachu. Their bright colors and distinctive designs make them visually engaging for young audiences, but their appeal goes beyond mere aesthetics. Well-designed characters can visually convey aspects of their personality and emotional state, making it easier for children to understand what they are feeling.

Or Mickey Mouse, who, whilst traditionally black and white, wears bright red dungarees. Even our own Mimic, who originally was just green and brown, but now with a bright red patch on his head, helps the audience to retain his image in their minds.

In the context of emotional wellbeing, visual cues can play a significant role in communication. For instance, a character might use colors, body language, or facial expressions to show when they are feeling overwhelmed or calm. Helping children understand emotional states, and how to express their own feelings in a healthy way.

Visual appeal isn’t just about making characters cute or marketable, it’s about making them approachable. Children are more likely to engage with characters they find visually interesting, making those characters powerful tools for conveying deeper messages about wellbeing.

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Timeless Themes and Values: Stories That Stick

For a character to truly resonate across generations, their story must revolve around timeless themes and values. Concepts like friendship, bravery, kindness, and resilience never go out of style, and these universal values are key to making characters impactful and relevant.

When crafting characters to address emotional wellbeing, these values take on an even greater importance. For example, a character who demonstrates resilience in the face of adversity teaches children that it’s okay to struggle, and that bouncing back from challenges is part of life.

Similarly, characters who exhibit kindness and empathy model behaviors that encourage supportive and inclusive communities.

The key is to weave these values seamlessly into the character’s story. Rather than being didactic or preachy, the character’s actions and experiences should naturally reflect the importance of these values.

Diversity and Representation: A World of Possibility

You’d hope this goes without saying, but - it’s more important now than ever to ensure that characters reflect the diversity of human experience. Characters that come from different cultures, have different abilities, or represent various gender identities and expressions enrich the stories we tell. More importantly, they provide representation for children who may not always see themselves in mainstream media.

When characters are diverse and inclusive, they not only reflect the world as it is but also promote empathy and understanding amongst audiences. Children who see themselves represented are more likely to feel valued, while those who engage with characters different from themselves learn to appreciate and celebrate diversity. Done well, this can have the great social impact of all.

In physical and emotional health discussions, this representation is crucial. These challenges do not discriminate based on background, and it’s important that characters reflect a wide range of experiences.

A character with a physical disability, for instance, might also struggle with feelings of isolation or anxiety. A character from a marginalized community might face unique challenges in accessing support. Representing these experiences in an empathetic and inclusive way, means characters can open up important conversations for all audiences.

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Whether like us, you’re crafting a new character for a story, game or concept or reimagining an existing one, keep in mind that these characters have the potential to do more than entertain, they have the potential to change lives, even in the slightest of ways.

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