1. Introduction to basic storytelling element: Characters

1. Marley Dias, who wrote “Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You!” when she was just 11 years old.
2. Leila Sales, author of “Once Was a Time,” began her writing career in her teens.
3. Katherine Applegate, author of “The One and Only Ivan,” started writing professionally in her early twenties.
4. R.J. Palacio, author of “Wonder,” began her writing career later in life, but her debut novel resonated strongly with young readers.
5. Raina Telgemeier, author of “Smile” and numerous other graphic novels, began creating comics as a teenager.

1. Personality: Just like you, characters have their own personalities. Think about what makes your character special. Are they brave like a superhero, funny like a comedian, or smart like a scientist?
2. Looks: What does your character look like? Imagine their clothes, hair, and any cool accessories they might have. You can draw a picture of them to bring them to life!
3. Feelings: Characters have feelings too! How does your character feel in different situations? Are they happy, sad, scared, or excited? Understanding their emotions can make your story even more interesting.
4. Favorites: Everyone has things they love and things they don’t. What does your character like to do for fun? Do they have a favorite food, hobby, or place to hang out?
5. Story: Every character has a story to tell. Where did your character come from? What adventures have they been on? Thinking about their backstory can help you understand them better.
6. Dreams: What does your character dream about? Do they want to explore new worlds, solve mysteries, or make new friends? Their dreams can help shape your story and make it super exciting!

Example of a character Profile-1:

• Name: Mr. Bean
• Appearance: Mr. Bean is a tall, thin man with a slightly awkward and clumsy appearance. He has a distinctive face with large eyes and a wide mouth. He often wears a tweed jacket, a red tie, and brown pants.
• Personality: Mr. Bean is known for his eccentric and quirky personality. He’s often seen as childlike, curious, and mischievous. He doesn’t speak much and relies heavily on physical comedy to communicate.
• Background: Not much is known about Mr. Bean’s background. He lives alone in a small apartment and seems to have a knack for getting into unusual and hilarious situations wherever he goes.
• Strengths: Despite his clumsiness, Mr. Bean is incredibly resourceful and creative. He always finds unique solutions to the problems he encounters.
• Weaknesses: Mr. Bean’s lack of social skills and tendency to be oblivious to social norms often get him into trouble. He can also be quite stubborn and unwilling to ask for help when he needs it.
• Goals: Mr. Bean’s main goal seems to be enjoying life and having fun, often at the expense of others or himself.

Story:

One day, Mr. Bean decides to go on a shopping trip to the supermarket. As usual, he forgets to make a shopping list and ends up wandering the aisles aimlessly. Along the way, he accidentally knocks over a display of canned goods, causing a commotion in the store. Despite his best efforts to clean up the mess, Mr. Bean only makes things worse and finds himself being chased by an angry store manager. In the end, Mr. Bean manages to escape by hiding in a giant pile of laundry detergent boxes, leaving behind a trail of chaos and laughter.

Illustrations:

In your sketchbook, you can draw pictures of Mr. Bean in various scenes from the story. For example:

• Mr. Bean causing chaos in the supermarket aisle.
• Mr. Bean trying to clean up the spilled canned goods.
• Mr. Bean hiding in the pile of laundry detergent boxes as the store manager looks on in confusion.

Talking Points:

When discussing your character and story, you can talk about:

• Mr. Bean’s unique appearance and personality traits.
• The funny and unusual situations Mr. Bean gets himself into.
• How Mr. Bean’s strengths and weaknesses contribute to the story’s humor.
• The importance of using illustrations to bring the story to life and engage the reader.

Example of a character Profile-2:

• Name: Peppa Pig
• Appearance: Peppa is a small, pink pig with a round face and rosy cheeks. She typically wears a red dress and black shoes.
• Personality: Peppa is cheerful, adventurous, and sometimes a bit bossy. She loves to laugh and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Peppa has a curious nature and often finds herself in amusing situations.
• Background: Peppa lives with her younger brother George, Mummy Pig, and Daddy Pig. They reside in a cozy house on top of a hill. Peppa loves going on adventures with her family and friends, whether it’s jumping in muddy puddles or visiting exciting places.
• Strengths: Peppa is brave and loves trying new things. She’s also very imaginative and has a knack for turning everyday activities into exciting adventures.
• Weaknesses: Sometimes Peppa can be a bit stubborn and bossy, especially when playing with her friends. She also tends to get overly excited, which can lead to accidents or mishaps.
• Goals: Peppa’s main goal is to have fun and make the most out of every day. Whether it’s playing with her friends, exploring new places, or learning something new, Peppa is always up for an adventure.

Story:

One sunny day, Peppa and her family decide to go on a picnic in the countryside. They pack a delicious lunch and set off in Daddy Pig’s car. Along the way, they sing songs and play games to pass the time. When they arrive at their picnic spot, Peppa and her friends spot a big hill nearby and decide to climb it. After a tiring but exciting climb, they reach the top and enjoy a beautiful view of the countryside. They eat their lunch, fly a kite, and even spot some friendly animals. It’s the perfect day out for Peppa and her family!

Illustrations:

In your sketchbook, you can draw pictures of Peppa and her family enjoying their picnic adventure. For example:

• Peppa and her family driving in Daddy Pig’s car.
• Peppa and her friends climbing the hill.
• Peppa and her family having a picnic at the top of the hill, surrounded by nature.

Talking Points:

When discussing your character and story, you can talk about:

• Peppa’s unique appearance and personality traits.
• The fun and adventurous activities Peppa enjoys with her family and friends.
• How Peppa’s strengths and weaknesses contribute to the story’s development.
• The importance of using illustrations to bring the story to life and engage the reader.

• A pencil or pen
• Some paper
• If you like, you can also use colorful pencils or markers!

1. Imagine Your Character:
   • Think about all the cool characters you’ve seen in movies, books, or games. What kind of character do you want to create? Maybe a brave hero, a funny sidekick, or a mysterious creature?
2. Create Your Character Profile:
   • On your paper, write down some things about your character:
     • Name: What’s your character’s name?
     • Looks: What do they look like? Describe their clothes, hair, and anything special about how they look.
     • Personality: Are they brave, shy, or funny? Think about what makes them special.
     • Story: Where does your character come from? Do they have a family? What do they like to do?
     • Strengths and Weaknesses: What are they really good at? What’s hard for them?
     • Goals: What does your character want to do or be?
     • Anything else: If there’s anything else you want to say about your character, write it down!
3. Draw Your Character:
   • • If you like drawing, try drawing your character! Use your description to help you draw what they look like. Don’t worry if you’re not a perfect artist – just have fun!
4. Assignment Submission
   • • Write your assignment in your sketchbook as instructed with illustrations and take clear pictures of each page.
     • Submit the pictures of your sketchbook pages by tomorrow.