by Tammi Sauer
Psst. Hey, you there. Yes, you. Do you want to wow an editor with your next picture book manuscript? Great!
It only takes one thing. Come up with the next Fancy Nancy, Olivia, or Skippyjon Jones. Editors are wading through their slush and/or agented submissions in the hopes of finding an irresistible, can’t-put-down, character-driven manuscript. They want manuscripts that make them feel something and a great character can do just that.
Examples of strong characters in picture books:
OLIVIA by Ian Falconer
Olivia is a feisty little piglet who has too much energy for her own good.
FANCY NANCY by Jane O’Connor
Nancy is very into fanciness whereas her family is not.
SKIPPYJON JONES by Judy Schachner
Skippyjon Jones is a little kitty with a big imagination.
A PET FOR PETUNIA by Paul Schmid
An exuberant Petunia wants, wants, wants a pet she really shouldn’t have.
DINOSAUR VS. BEDTIME by Bob Shea
The seemingly unstoppable Dinosaur is very much into his own bad self.
CLARK THE SHARK by Bruce Hale
Clark has super-sized enthusiasm which leads to all kinds of mayhem.
Developing a unique and engaging character like the ones listed above, however, is a huge challenge.
When I’m working on a new picture book manuscript, I remind myself that if people don’t care about my main character, they won’t care about my story.
I always keep A.R.F. in mind.
A stands for Active.
I want my main character to be doing something. No one wants to read about a kid who just sits on the couch all day with a bag of Doritos.
R stands for Relatable.
I want my main character to connect with readers. I want readers to think, “Yeah, I know what that feels like.”
F stands for Flawed.
I want my main character to have some sort of flaw. Nobody longs to read about little miss perfect. Yawn. Perfect is boring. A flawed character is much more interesting. A bonus? A flaw often increases the story’s tension and makes the character more endearing and root-worthy to readers.
In my latest book, GINNY LOUISE AND THE SCHOOL SHOWDOWN (Disney*Hyperion), illustrated by Lynn Munsinger(!!!), Ginny Louise is the new kid at school.
But Truman Elementary is no ordinary school. This is made clear at the very beginning of the book:
The Truman Elementary Troublemakers were a bad bunch.
Especially these three: Cap’n Catastrophe, Destructo Dude, and Make-My-Day May.
Day after day, these scoundrels made waves.
They dodged danger.
And in the classroom?
You don’t even want to know what went on.
Ginny Louise is Active. She happily goes about her school day. She paints, she sings, she learns things. All the while, she is oblivious to the fact that everything she does drives the Truman Elementary Troublemakers bonkers.
Ginny Louise is Relatable. She doesn’t fit in with her classmates in the classroom or out on the playground. (Readers can empathize with her because everyone has experienced the feeling of not fitting in at one time or another.)
Ginny Louise is Flawed. She only hears what she wants to hear. This results in all kinds of miscommunication.
By the book’s end, this active, relatable, flawed character turns things around at Truman Elementary. Well. For the most part. 🙂
GINNY LOUISE AND THE SCHOOL SHOWDOWN debuts TODAY! Next summer, Ginny Louise and the rest of the gang return for more mayhem in GINNY LOUISE AND THE SCHOOL FIELD DAY.
And now it’s a great giveaway for GINNY LOUISE!
Leave a comment naming your favorite PB character and you will be entered to win a signed, first-edition copy of GINNY LOUISE AND THE SCHOOL SHOWDOWN!
One comment per person, please.
A random winner will be selected in two weeks.
Good luck!
Tammi Sauer is a former teacher and library media specialist. She has sold 23 picture books to major publishing houses. In addition to winning awards, her books have gone on to do great things. Mostly Monsterly was selected for the 2012 Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program. Me Want Pet! was recently released in French which makes her feel extra fancy. And Nugget and Fang, along with Tammi herself, appeared on the Spring 2015 Scholastic Book Fair DVD which was seen by millions of kids across the nation. Tammi’s books Ginny Louise and the School Showdown (Disney*Hyperion), Your Alien (Sterling), and Roar! (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman) debut in 2015.
You can visit Tammi online at tammisauer.com and at picturebookbuilders.com.
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 
166 comments
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June 16, 2015 at 9:15 am
Stacy S. Jensen
Penguin from Salina Yoon’s Penguin & pine cone series. I look forward to reading Ginny’s adventure.
June 16, 2015 at 9:16 am
Claire Lordon (@ClaireLordon)
Great post! I will keep “A.R.F.” in mind when I create characters. Thanks!
One of my favorite picture book characters is Edmund in Edmund Unravels.
June 16, 2015 at 9:17 am
Tina Cho
Congrats on your book’s birthday, Tammi! One of my favorite pb characters is Rob Scotton’s SPLAT the cat. Looking forward to meeting Ginny Louise!
June 16, 2015 at 9:18 am
Amy
I love Olivia. I loved her the first time I found her and I still love her all these years later. She’s also one of the (many) reasons I don’t eat pig.
June 16, 2015 at 9:18 am
kirsticall
My favorite picture book character is Wolfie 🙂 Thanks for the great reminder, Tammi. I enjoyed your workshop and congrats on the book birthday!!!
June 16, 2015 at 9:20 am
The Logonauts (@thelogonauts)
Pigeon in all the Mo Willems books. Who can resist?
BTW – love the concept of ‘mishearing’ the bullies. Sounds like a great story!
June 16, 2015 at 9:21 am
jodimckay
Curious George is one of my favs! He’s very active, kids can relate to his curiosity, and his flaws always make the book entertaining.
June 16, 2015 at 9:23 am
Joanna
I think I will want to squeeze Ginny Louise! (except I might get prickled!)
June 16, 2015 at 9:24 am
Nancy Tandon
ARF! ARF! ~ Thanks for the easy to remember tip.
My heart will always belong to Frances. I was SO upset when her bargain went sideways….
June 16, 2015 at 9:24 am
Joanna
I like Francis in Bread and Jam for Francis etc.
June 16, 2015 at 9:26 am
Lisa Katzenberger
Great article! I love Llama Llama!
June 16, 2015 at 9:28 am
Cindy Williams Schrauben
Thanks for the great post, Tammi. ARF is a great way to double check our characters. Best of luck with Louise.
June 16, 2015 at 9:33 am
lindamartinandersen
A recent favorite: Effie from Fair Cow by Leslie Helakoski. I love the repeating refrain. Effie also reminds me of Ferdinand the Bull toward the end– another favorite book.
June 16, 2015 at 9:34 am
marlainagray
Great post and useful acronym. And I’m going with Elephant and Piggie. Happy book birthday!
June 16, 2015 at 9:37 am
ciccotello
Awesome post! I love Beekle. I identify with him… and he has a cool paper crown.
June 16, 2015 at 9:38 am
Cindy Clemens
Great post, Tammi! One of my all-time favorite characters is the Paperbag Princess.
June 16, 2015 at 9:39 am
Laurie Theurer
At the moment, my favorite is Sophie in Sophie’s Squash. Brings me to tears every time! Thank you for your insights. 🙂
June 16, 2015 at 9:40 am
Andrea
Congrats on your new book! Sounds like a good one!
One of my fav picture book characters ever is Lilly, from Lilly’s Purple plastic Purse.
June 16, 2015 at 9:41 am
Laurie J. Edwards
Skippy Jon makes me smile, and I’m now a fan of Judy’s latest character, Dewey Bob. Can’t wait to see what the cute little raccoon will get up to next.
June 16, 2015 at 9:41 am
tanyakonerman
Great way to keep focus! I love Vampirina Ballerina and Princess Viola!
June 16, 2015 at 11:50 am
annemariepace
What a lovely surprise to see your comment! Thank you!
June 16, 2015 at 9:41 am
donnacangelosi
Thank you for a great post and a fun workshop at NJSCBWI, Tammi! I love Marge and Lola (Chicken Dance) and Sophie (Sophie’s Squash)!
June 16, 2015 at 9:42 am
Kristi Valiant
Tammy Sauer’s books are always such a delight, and this one being paired with Lynn Munsinger’s wonderful illustrations looks like an instant hit. Can’t wait to see it.
One of my favorite picture book characters would be Lucy from Peter Brown’s Children Make Terrible Pets.
June 16, 2015 at 9:43 am
DaNeil
Fabulous advice. Thank you.
June 16, 2015 at 9:44 am
katmaz2012
Congratulations on the Book Birthday! Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the reminders on characters. I am off to put those words into practice.
June 16, 2015 at 9:45 am
Mary Crockett
This PB looks like so much fun. Great advice, too!
June 16, 2015 at 9:47 am
Jim Chaize
I will be using ARF … thanks! Miss Nelson/Miss Viola Swamp is one of my favorite characters.
June 16, 2015 at 9:47 am
ManjuBeth
Ginny is a great A.R.F. character.
My PB characters follow A.R.M. They make mistakes.
June 16, 2015 at 9:51 am
Juliana Lee
There are so many… but I’ll go back several years to Chrysanthemum (Kevin Henkes). My daughter loved her because she too had an unusual but lovely name. A=Chrysanthemum loved to sing, draw, play games R=teased for having an odd name F=felt ashamed and couldn’t see her own self-worth.
June 16, 2015 at 9:53 am
Jennifer Rumberger
Great post, Tammi and Tara! Can’t wait to read about Ginny Louise. I would have to say my favorite PB character from childhood is Clifford. Just love that Big Red Dog! 🙂 (I also have a soft spot for Tammi’s Mr. Duck, probably because he is relatable to me.)
June 16, 2015 at 10:00 am
authoraileenstewart
Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant :0)
June 16, 2015 at 10:00 am
supermario6
I’ve always been in love with David from the David Shannon books. Talk about active, relatable, and flawed!
Rosemary Basham
June 16, 2015 at 10:04 am
danielle hammelef
I love the pigeon in Mo Willems books. Thanks for the giveaway and helpful post!
June 16, 2015 at 10:05 am
Rebecca Colby
Great post, Tammi, and congratulations on your latest release! My favorite PB character is Bernadette from MOSTLY MONSTERLY, of course! I absolutely adore her!
June 16, 2015 at 10:06 am
Pam Wye
Eloise is my favorite PB character: Active, Relatable, Flawed!
June 16, 2015 at 10:08 am
Shari Della Penna
Thanks for sharing ARF. I added it to my little file of very usable advice. My favorite picture book character is the bunny from Margaret Wise Brown’s Runaway Bunny. He’s ARF personified, I mean bunnified.
June 16, 2015 at 10:11 am
Russ Cox
Louise from Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light.
June 16, 2015 at 10:14 am
danielledufayet
Great advice and looking forward to your new book. I’d have to say Olivia is one of my favorite characters.Cute and sassy and loves to read!
June 16, 2015 at 10:15 am
Lee Walker-Brockman
Happy Book Birthday and congrats on another great character! One of my favorite characters is Stella from the Mary-Louise Gay series. I particularly love ‘Princess of the Sky.’ Tara-thanks for the awesome post. A.R.F!
June 16, 2015 at 10:15 am
meridthgimbel
The little girl from Emily Hughes’s Wild. Thanks for the food for thought! 🙂
June 16, 2015 at 10:15 am
KristiM
New book sounds great! You make Oklahoma proud! One of my favorite PB characters would be Madeline. I even have the doll, complete with her scar for kids to see.
June 16, 2015 at 10:29 am
Pat
Thanks for sharing your ARF tips, very useful! I love Charlie and Lola by Lauren Child.
June 16, 2015 at 10:31 am
Anita Banks
Great examples, I will have to look for some of these! Thank you .
June 16, 2015 at 10:33 am
writerjodimoore
What a great article! Congrats on the new book, Tammi. Love reading about everyone’s favorite characters too. I have SO MANY faves, but I guess I’d have to name Max in Where The Wild Things Are. Read that so many times to my boys that I had it memorized and could recite it to keep them entertained on long car rides! 😉
June 16, 2015 at 10:33 am
Sandy Perlic
Ooh, I can never choose favorites because they change all the time, and of course reading through the comments above makes me torn with all the great choices already mentioned. But today perhaps I’ll choose the mouse in A Visitor for Bear.
Thanks for such a great post!
June 16, 2015 at 10:35 am
colleen rowan kosinski
shout out for Wolfie!
June 16, 2015 at 10:38 am
dpasiczniakDonna Mae Pasiczniak
Thanks for all the helpful hints. Alexander from: Alexander’s Terrible, Horrible very bad day.
June 16, 2015 at 10:38 am
Susan Cabael
ARF ARF! I’ll keep that in mind when creating my characters. Scaredy Squirrel by the amazing Melanie Watts is one of my newer favorites.
June 16, 2015 at 10:40 am
Lynne Marie
Always love TS Books and absolutely love Hedgehogs, too! I love WODNEY WAT by Helen Lester, also illustrated by Lynn Munsinger ❤
June 16, 2015 at 10:43 am
Tami Finley
Can’t wait to get this one in the hands of kids! They are going to love it. My favorite PB character is an oldie Arthur from the book Who Wants Arthur?
So sweet and a great message about being yourself.
June 16, 2015 at 10:44 am
Wendy
Going back old school to Harry (of Harry the dirty dog fame) as one of my favorites. Naughty, but ultimately contrite. Tammi was super-charged at the NJ SCBWI! Loved the workshop! Thanks for the giveaway.
June 16, 2015 at 10:44 am
Teresa Robeson
I think I love Ginny Louise already! Also, thanks for the great tips in A.R.F.! I will keep them in mind when I write, too.
My favorite PB character has to be the Frog in A HOME FOR BIRD. 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway, Tammi and Tara!
June 16, 2015 at 10:44 am
Reena Balding
Wombat from Wombat Divine by Mem Fox. He so desperately wants to be in the nativity play but isn’t right for any part, except one. Has actually choked me up reading it. Great post and good luck with the new book!
June 16, 2015 at 10:46 am
reneekurilla
Great post, thank you!
My favorite character (as a child) was What-A-Mess the dog. He couldn’t have been more flawed (he was clumsy as can be), but boy did he try so hard to make everyone happy! A love-able mess. 🙂
June 16, 2015 at 10:50 am
Beth O'Grady
My favorite was Ferdinand the Bull. I definitely related in his want to just sit under the cork tree and smell the flowers and not be the vicious beast he was meant to be.
June 16, 2015 at 10:51 am
Carrie Tillotson
I love that you mentioned Clark the Shark, Tammi! I just discovered him a few weeks ago and he is definitely a new favorite.
June 16, 2015 at 10:51 am
Sydney O'Neill
One of my favorites is Mr. Fish in The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen. He actively spreads dreary wearies, thinking he has no choice because of his flawed face. Very relatable to a child who perceives a flaw in himself/herself, and the ending is uplifting, especially in terms of self-acceptance. Congratulations on the release of GINNY LOUISE! 🙂
June 16, 2015 at 10:55 am
Stephen S. Martin
Another great tidbit of advise. This is on my “bucket list” of writing/illustrating – to create that next “Your best friend” character. Being a cat person I like any cat in a PB.
June 16, 2015 at 10:58 am
stizwal
Reblogged this on stizwal and commented:
Brilliant and helpful, thanks!
June 16, 2015 at 10:59 am
Teresa Daffern
We have loved following Trixie and her Knuffle Bunny. Lots of connections for my kiddos there! Can’t wait to see how Ginny Louise handles the showdown.
June 16, 2015 at 11:00 am
Elizabeth Metz
Og, this is easy. Elizabeth from THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS. In addition to being active, relatable, and flawed, she has an excellent name 🙂 Great advice, Tammi!
June 16, 2015 at 11:06 am
Lori Dubbin
Thanks for reminding us to create ARF characters. They make kids say, “Read it again!” I especially love and relate to Bernadette from MOSTLY MONSTERLY. I can’t wait to read about Ginny Louise!
June 16, 2015 at 11:12 am
Vicki Wilke
As a retired first grade teacher, it is simply impossible to pick just one, but I love Miss Rumphius and her idea of making the world more beautiful! So many children’s picture books also contribute to making the world a more beautiful place. We owe this to our children. Keep writing those wonderful stories!
June 16, 2015 at 11:17 am
kdveiten
What a cute story. And thanks for the insight into what makes a good character. I guess if I have to pick a favorite picture book character, I’ll choose the adorable (but slightly flawed) main character of the Little Critter series. I read them over and over to my kids when they were little. And I think Little Critter definitely matches your character checklist of A.R.F!
June 16, 2015 at 11:20 am
Natasha Wing
Frog and Toad. Favorite character I created: Pearl in Pearl vs. the Tooth Fairy. She loves to collect things and her flaw is being too pragmatic.
June 16, 2015 at 11:29 am
Diana Gibson
LOVE these characters! I adore humor in a story, and when a PB character tickles my funny bone, that says something to me! I love reading books like this to my second graders after recess.mthe problem is, I don’t want to STOP!
June 16, 2015 at 11:34 am
Sue Heavenrich
This looks like all kinds of fun…. and I can totally identify with mis-hearing things and misunderstanding. That’s why the nameplate on my desk says “Miss Communication”. Can’t wait to read this!
June 16, 2015 at 11:37 am
Red said what?
Curious George. Thank you & Congrats Tammi!
June 16, 2015 at 11:50 am
Lori Alexander
Congrats, Tammi. Sounds like another winning title! I’m a fan of Rosie Revere and your Viola “Louise” Hassenfeffer 🙂
June 16, 2015 at 11:50 am
Dee Knabb
Terrific advice to keep in mind for PB characters. Love Tammi’s work.
June 16, 2015 at 11:52 am
donnashepherd
An old, old favorite of mine is Amelia Bedelia. Congrats!
June 16, 2015 at 11:52 am
Anne Bromley
Ferdinand! Thank you, Tammi. I’m looking forward to reading your latest! It sounds like tons of fun.
June 16, 2015 at 11:53 am
Jenni Bielicki
Tammi, you are such an inspiration! I love Ginny’s character and can’t wait to get my hands on this book. Thanks for the A.R.F. advice! Love it 🙂
My favorite PB character is really hard to narrow down but if I had to choose one I would say Iggy from Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty. I relate to him because I’m also most miserable when I’m not creating something.
Happy book birthday to you, Lynn and Ginny!
June 16, 2015 at 12:09 pm
mariagianferrari
In light of ARF, I’ll have to go with one of my favorite dog characters, Gaston ;). And I’ll throw a cat in the mix too, Won Ton.
June 16, 2015 at 12:11 pm
Pj McIlvaine
Oh jeez, too many to mention. But I have a special love for Curious George, thanks to my two rambunctious grandbabies.
June 16, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Cathy Ballou Mealey
ARF! Super tips. I love Salina Yoon’s Penguin.
June 16, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
Thanks for this good advice. My favorite PB character at the moment is Imani from Imani’s Moon. Thanks for the chance to win.
June 16, 2015 at 12:36 pm
nicolepopel
Great post, Tammi. My Little Free Library Walnut visitors would love a book like this! If I win the giveway, I’ll read this book and then pop it in my library in my front yard to share with others.
June 16, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Alayne Kay Christian
Thanks for the ARF formula. Although not a series, one of my favorite characters is Molly Lou Melon from STAND TALL MOLLY LOU MELON, by Patty Lovell and illustrated by David Catrow.
June 16, 2015 at 12:47 pm
Joanne Fritz
Tammi, you rock!! (And so do you, Tara, for hosting her!) I really enjoyed your workshop at NJ SCBWI, where I learned ARF… and so much more. 🙂
Just one favorite? Eek! That’s impossible. But I’ve always been fond of Hilda in Hilda Must Be Dancing by Karma Wilson.
June 16, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Stacey Shubitz
The ARF acronym makes so much sense. Thanks for sharing with us, Tammi!
Please do not enter me in the giveaway. I just received a review copy of Tammi’s book from her publisher this morning. (I cannot wait to read it. Especially with ARF in mind!)
June 16, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Vijaya
Congratulations Tammi! Ginny Louise sounds so much like my kids and me with her selective hearing. LOL! Thanks for your wonderful lesson and easy moniker to remember how to create great characters. My most recent favorite ones are Salina Yoon’s Penguin and Bear and Duck
June 16, 2015 at 12:50 pm
lemurnewspaper
Hamlet in Denys Cazet’s Will You Read to Me!
June 16, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Caryn Caldwell
Love the A.R.F. acronym. So helpful! Thank you for sharing it!
And a favorite character? So difficult! I’ll have to say Otter from I AM OTTER. Such an active, relatable, flawed character who’s so much fun to read about!
June 16, 2015 at 1:10 pm
Doreen E. Lepore
Thanks for the great post and giveaway. Loving Ginny Louise! One of my favorite PB character is Olivia, can really relate to her. 🙂
June 16, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Elizabeth S
You mentioned one of my favorites, I love Fancy Nancy. The child makes me laugh out loud every time! Thanks for the tip on ARF!
June 16, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Jacqueline
I love Pete the Cat’s attitude. If we could all keep on movin’ and groovin’ and singing a song, life would be much easier. Thanks for the A.R.F. formula–and for making it so easy to remember.
June 16, 2015 at 1:28 pm
katrinamoorebooks
Olivia and also TOmie de Paola’s Big Anthony! Tammi, thanks for sharing your character tips with us 🙂 I can’t wait to meet Ginny Louise!
June 16, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Andrea Allen
Love all your books Tammi and looking forward to reading Ginny!!! I actually have two favorite pb characters: Piggie and Elephant from Mo Willems – you can’t have one without the other!!
June 16, 2015 at 2:48 pm
michaelwaynebooks
Picking only one character is tough. Going to go with Mo Willem’s Pigeon.
Recently, I read several of Tammi’s books as a sort of humorous author study. Great models for books with solid character relationships and effective plot. And her use of meaningful wordplay–intelligent and embedded, not simply for a winkwink smile–is impressive. Fanboying done now. 😉
June 16, 2015 at 2:50 pm
jenniferkirkeby
I love this blog, and am a huge fan of Tammi’s! I will be thinking ARF ARF ARF whenever I’m writing from now on. Thank you!
June 16, 2015 at 2:50 pm
jodiegaudet
I love the relatable but flawed
Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse!
June 16, 2015 at 3:02 pm
Cathy Breisacher
Great post! My favorite characters are Elephant and Piggie.
June 16, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
It sounds so simple! Not from a PB, but my favorite character of all time is Junie B. Jones. Active. Relatable. Flawed. Simple!!
June 16, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Kathy Grupe
I love Molly Lou Melon in the two books by Patty Lovell
June 16, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Catherine
Great post. I’m going to check that all my characters fit those criteria. My favourite picture book character is Paddington Bear.
June 16, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Sandy Lowe
I know I’m not alone but I love Max in “Where the Wild Things Are.” He’s a little stinker (like we all are sometimes) but he loves home most of all.
June 16, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Carolyn Combs
So many wonderful PB characters leap into my mind that it’s hard to choose a favorite, but Madeleine, Mr. Putter, Ella, Bramble, and Ms. Hazeltine definitely stand out, as do nonfiction characters like Wolf Snail and the ochre starfish in Star of the Sea.
June 16, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Patricia Toht
I can’t wait to get my hands on Ginny Louise — Tammi Sauer is da bomb! Some of my favorite characters are in Kevin Henkes’ books, especially Chester’s Way and Wemberly Worried.
June 16, 2015 at 3:54 pm
Kathy Doherty
Tammi Sauer is an inspiration. Thanks, Tammi, for the great lesson. I love Lilly in LILLY AND HER PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE.
June 16, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Pia Garneau
Thanks for the inspiring post! My favorite PB character is David by David Shannon.
June 16, 2015 at 4:00 pm
shiela fuller
It’s an older book but I have always loved Flossie from Flossie and the Fox by Patricia McKissack.
June 16, 2015 at 4:01 pm
Della Ross Ferreri
Thanks for the info! One of my favorite characters is Tacky the Penguin! Looking forward to reading about Ginny Louise!
June 16, 2015 at 4:09 pm
Stephan Stuecklin
Max und Moritz, the two rascals from Wilhelm Busch’s timeless rhymes.
June 16, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Mindy Alyse Weiss
Ooh, A.R.F. is great to keep in mind. Thank you, Tammi. And huge congrats on your newest book. I can’t wait to meet Ginny. She’s adorable!
I love so many characters, it’s hard to choose just one. My girls and I always adored reading Skippyjon Jones together, so I’ll go with that one.
June 16, 2015 at 4:33 pm
Mindy Alyse Weiss
I think WordPress just ate my comment, so I’ll post it again (I hope it doesn’t turn into a double post).
Ooh, A.R.F. is great to keep in mind. Thank you, Tammi. And huge congrats on your newest book. I can’t wait to meet Ginny. She’s adorable!
I love so many characters, it’s hard to choose just one. My girls and I always adored reading Skippyjon Jones together, so I’ll go with that one.
June 16, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Jen
Corduroy!
June 16, 2015 at 4:37 pm
What A Character! | As the Eraser Burns
[…] I read a new post on a blog I follow, Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) by Tara Lazar, and I think you’ll enjoy it. Guest contributor Tammi Sauer discusses some of the same points I outlined above, with pictures and examples. It’s titled How to Create Irresistible Picture Book Characters by Tammi Sauer (plus a giveaway on her book birth… […]
June 16, 2015 at 4:38 pm
jcestes
Thank you so much for sharing this, Tara and Tammi! And happy book birthday to Ginny! One of our faves is Fang. He’s such a good friend!
June 16, 2015 at 4:39 pm
L. M. Quraishi
Thank you for A.R.F! Going back to meet my characters again in revision, and will look for their action, relatability and flaws.
June 16, 2015 at 4:51 pm
Kathleen
One of my favorite characters is Lily, from Kevin Henkes, Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse. She’s a great example of an ARF character! Thanks for the great tips & look forward to reading your book!
June 16, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Maria Oka
One of my favorites is Sophie in Sophie’s Squash!
June 16, 2015 at 4:56 pm
Charlotte
Great post! Your hedgehog character brought back memories of the day a fifth grader brought her pet hedgehog into our classroom!
I still have a soft spot for both Corduroy and Paddington Bear from my days of reading aloud to sons and grandkids.
Happy Book Birthday!
June 16, 2015 at 5:20 pm
David Robertson
The book sounds like a winner, congratulations. Of the many PB characters I’ve encountered, ‘The Mouse’ in ‘The Gruffalo’ takes the chocolates for me.
June 16, 2015 at 5:26 pm
karcas1
Max from Where the Wild Things Are
June 16, 2015 at 5:40 pm
betsyj
Thanks, Tammi. This is a GREAT essay. Everything you say is SO true!
June 16, 2015 at 6:27 pm
Sharon Nix Jones
Corduroy brings back wonderful memories of reading to one of my sons. Thank you for the great info.
June 16, 2015 at 6:51 pm
Bethany Roberts
I love the Froggy series- or I used to, until our kids made me read the books 3 million times! Have also always loved Frog and Toad. (Hmm, I think I see a pattern)!
June 16, 2015 at 8:24 pm
TMarie
Pete the Cat, because he’s so cool! Thanks for the fun!
June 16, 2015 at 8:34 pm
Louann Brown
I’m rather fond of all the cats: Bad Kitty, Pete the Cat, and Splat. Naughty, Hip, and Messy, what more could you ask for?
June 16, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Tammi Sauer
Wow! Thanks for all of these great comments!
Thanks, too, for helping me celebrate GINNY LOUISE. 🙂
June 16, 2015 at 8:40 pm
thegreeneyedbride
Thanks for sharing this! Great information. Also, your book looks adorable!
June 16, 2015 at 9:05 pm
Linda Graden
Little Bear was my favorite! Thank you for sharing, Tammi. Congrats!
June 16, 2015 at 9:08 pm
viviankirkfield
Love your ARF formula, Tammi…thank you for sharing this with us.It seems so simple…but it’s something I find so difficult to capture…maybe with your formula, I’ll have more luck. 😉 And CONGRATS on the book…your mc melts my heart. 😉
I have so many favorite characters…but for action, ability to relate and flawed, I’ve got to go with MAX, MAX, MAX…from Where the Wild Things Are.
June 16, 2015 at 9:13 pm
Rita D. Russell
I have a soft spot in my heart for Kevin Henkes’ Sheila Rae, as well as her little sister Louise (“Sheila Rae, the Brave”).
June 16, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Sandi Lawson
Thanks for your helpful advice! I have to go with Bear from Jon Klassen’s: I Want My Hat Back. His lack of facial expressions crack me up.
June 16, 2015 at 10:17 pm
deborahholtwilliams
ARF! Great advice. I love both Frog and Toad. They both have flaws, but they work together well. True of most people friendships, too!
June 17, 2015 at 4:11 am
Kat
My favourite picture book character is the little fish from This is Not My Hat. He can pull off a hat better than most and he’s so optimistic that he will get away with it!
(Also brilliant post- thoroughly enjoying reading that while skiving off work!)
June 17, 2015 at 10:27 am
amysase
Little Bear is fave character from the books by Elsa Holmelund Minarik. Thanks for your insight about creating characters.
June 17, 2015 at 11:11 am
kpbock
I have to say Piggie and Gerald from Mo Willem’s Piggie and Elephant series.
June 17, 2015 at 11:17 am
Ann Ingalls
Thanks for the terrific advice! I plan to take it.
How about Boot and Shoe by Marla Frazee? Love those silly pooches.
Ann Ingalls
June 17, 2015 at 11:36 am
saputnam
Happy Book Birthday!! One of my favorite characters is Ophelia (The Story of Ophelia by Mary Gibbons) and the other is Ferdinand (The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf)
Great post. I love your ARF advice!
June 17, 2015 at 11:46 am
Erin
Wonderful advice! Thank you!
Annabelle from Extra Yarn is one of my favorites.
June 17, 2015 at 12:02 pm
Denita Johnson
Thanks for the advise, I will keep that in mind while I am starting to send my manuscripts out to publishers. I like The Little Critter Books, my children and I liked Just Go To Bed it makes us laugh.
June 17, 2015 at 1:39 pm
Pizzos3.com
Ohh so many how could one ever choose. But if I have to I love Molly Lou Melon she is fierce. Also Baby Bird from Are You My Mother and the monkeys from Caps for Sale and LuLu in Double Trouble in Walla Walla. and, and and, and……
June 17, 2015 at 1:42 pm
John Strong
One of my recent faves is Pigeon from the Mo Willems collection. Quite active and flawed! 🙂 I also like Annabelle from Extra Yarn.
June 17, 2015 at 2:59 pm
Angie
Reblogged this on Love, Laughter, and Life and commented:
I love the three tips. Simple guide for children’s picture books.
June 17, 2015 at 4:14 pm
Carrie Charley Brown
Excellent post, Tammi! It was great to hear about these at NJ SCBWI conference and meet you in person. It’s hard to pick just one favorite main character! So I’ll pick two, and even THAT is hard! Two of my current faves are Cat from the Here Comes the ____ Cat series by Deborah Underwood, and Dot from Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman.
June 17, 2015 at 4:52 pm
gweddle
Thank you for A.R.F.! I am fond of so many characters, but today I choose adorable Chrysanthemum.
June 17, 2015 at 4:54 pm
Carolyn
My all time favorites are Arnold Lobel’s characters Frog and Toad, but there are many more I could name.
June 17, 2015 at 5:57 pm
KatherineR
Princess Peepers!
June 17, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Myrna Foster
Thanks for this post! I absolutely LOVE Kevin Henkes’s Lily, especially in JULIUS, THE BABY OF THE WORLD.
June 17, 2015 at 10:33 pm
seschipper
Congrats!
There are so many storybook characters that are unforgettable, However, Clifford the Big Red Dog has always been one of my favorites! He “ARF”‘s for sure! 🙂
June 18, 2015 at 12:52 am
rgstones
Ooh, this is tough because it changes all the time. My favorite character this week is Dot in Wolfie the Bunny. I can’t wait to meet Ginny Louise! I enjoyed your presentation in NJ last weekend. 🙂
June 18, 2015 at 1:33 am
Heather Kinser
I adore Dodsworth from “The Pink Refrigerator,” by Tim Egan.
June 18, 2015 at 12:35 pm
tollykit
Great post and of course Happy Book Birthday 🙂
June 18, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Darshana
Happy Book Birthday! Calvin from Calvin Can’t Fly by Jennifer Berne
June 18, 2015 at 3:11 pm
Laurie L. Warchol
How weird is that- my favorite is Calvin the starling from Calvin Can’t Fly, also. LOL! Not copying, I swear!
June 18, 2015 at 4:54 pm
Laura Purdie Salas
Can’t possibly pick one favorite, but a recent is Dot from Wolfie (A. Dyckman). Great post, Tammi–thank you!
June 18, 2015 at 5:59 pm
Carol Jones
I love Dexter Bexley from Joel Stewart’s Dexter Bexley and the Big Blue Beastie. He keeps coming up with clever and hilarious ideas to keep the Beastie from eating him.
June 18, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Sheri Rad
My favorite character is Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester. I love that Tacky is so different but always comes to the perfect penguins rescue.
June 18, 2015 at 7:27 pm
Keila Dawson
I really love Max from Where the Wild Things Are. That kid knows how to roll! Looking forward to meeting Gonna Louise.
June 19, 2015 at 11:16 am
winemama
I love Mo Willems’ Pigeon books @lindsayfouts
June 19, 2015 at 11:51 am
Alyssa Annico
I love Elephant and Piggie!
June 19, 2015 at 11:22 pm
schriscoe
I love Olivia! And Corduroy. He’s an all time favorite forever for me.
I can’t wait to meet Ginny Louise!
June 20, 2015 at 12:47 pm
ThisKidReviewsBooks
Choco, from A Mother for Choco. Great post! 😀
June 21, 2015 at 8:28 am
Rebecca Sheraton
I’m a huge fan of Tammi Sauer and would love to read more of her books. I look forward to putting these tips into my stories.
June 21, 2015 at 4:32 pm
martymi6
Judith Viorst’s Alexander is my favorite PB character. He fits the ARF model to a T. Thanks for the helpful post.
June 23, 2015 at 12:22 pm
PW
Ginny looks adorable! Can’t wait to read it. My favorite character is Kevin Henke’s Chrysanthemum (did I spell that right!??).
June 23, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Mary Worley
I’d add George from Haughton’s Oh No, George! So flawed and so lovable. I enjoyed your presentation at the NJ conference. Looking forward to meeting Ginny Louise.
June 23, 2015 at 8:33 pm
Carleen M. Tjader
Ginny Louise sounds like great fun! I also so enjoyed Bernadette in Mostly Monsterly!
June 24, 2015 at 11:45 pm
LaurenKerstein
Oh, there are so many from which to choose. I have to go with Leonardo (Mo Willems). Thanks for a great post!
June 30, 2015 at 3:53 pm
Laura Jenkins
Believe it or not, one of my favorites is Avery in Cowboy Camp, as well as Wink (the ninja), the Easter Cat…I could go on.
July 1, 2015 at 8:51 am
laura516
Elephant and Piggie always make me laugh. Thanks for the reminder that “flawed” is as important to a character as “relatable”.
July 21, 2015 at 11:36 am
kdveiten
Little Critter was always one of my favorite characters!
November 29, 2015 at 10:52 am
sallie wolf
Madeleine–“She was not afraid of mice. She loved winter, snow, and, ice. To the tiger in the zoo, Madeleine just said,”Pooh, pooh.” And nobody knew so well how to frighten Miss Clavell.”–I’m typing this from memory so it may not be word-perfect or spelled correctly. But I always loved Madeleine.
Thanks for the post.
Sallie Wolf