Create a cast of characters with Lauren Child

Invite a bestselling author and illustrator into your classroom and guide pupils in creating characters that truly resonate.

In this episode of Author In Your Classroom, former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child, creator of Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean, explains her approach to developing characters that are bold, believable and full of personality.

Using her experience reimagining Pippi Longstocking Goes Aboard, Lauren explores where character ideas originate, how text and illustrations work together and why allowing ideas to develop naturally is so important.

This teaching sequence is designed for pupils who find character creation challenging or struggle to move beyond basic descriptions.

Throughout the unit, short extracts from the podcast can be used to introduce each stage of learning.

Teaching overview

Over the course of four sessions, pupils will first explore how Lauren Child brings her characters to life, then begin inventing their own.

They will develop a detailed character profile, considering appearance, personality, relationships and interests. Finally, children combine these characters to plan and write a chapter or story, revising and refining their work.