📌 Anthropomorphism Isn't Just a Great Scrabble Word
But, as with most things, both intention and execution are paramount
First, a little refresh from Monsieurs Merriam et Webster:
There are plenty of “they are charming and fun!” reasons to write with animal or animated object characters (while keeping in mind that human children are also charming and fun). However, whether you lean anthro (or “no”) for a specific story, the main thing is that you arrive at that decision in a considered way.
After all, crafting believable and engaging characters requires making choices—and either way, there are many angles to consider. Here are a few nuggets to chew on while you decide…
Should I Anthropomorphize?
🥳 Huzzah! A little psychological distance can create a safe space for young readers to explore scary feelings and tough topics. While kids can undoubtedly identify with anthropomorphic main characters, as compared to human characters there is a little natural distance that can help cushion the scariness in, say, exploring themes of loss or isolation. Many of Jessixa Bagley’s books, such as BOATS FOR PAPA, DAISY, and MAURICE (among others), use anthropomorphic characters to gently and brilliantly address challenging themes with young readers. (If you get the chance to attend one of her creator talks ever, I highly recommend them!)
🤔 But—you must dig deeper to develop your anthropomorphic character in kid-relatable ways. Humans just have a natural leg-up in relatability, and the same distance that creates ever-so-much of a “this is fantasy, this is a safe space” cushion CAN work against you if your character does not emote in recognizable ways. While keeping in mind that subversion and breaking of stereotypes are some of the most satisfying arcs, one option is to choose an anthropomorphic character whose readily recognizable traits help very young readers connect the dots; perhaps a sleepy bear or an accidentally destructive bulldozer vs. say, a snarky thermostat. Still, even leaning into relatability doesn’t let you off the hook from getting as deep into character development as you would if your character were human. The same considerations as always apply: identifying your character’s wants (and needs); puzzling out their personality, esp. their quirks and foibles; and determining how they think and feel (and what backstory has forged them into what they are now).
🥳 Huzzah! Fantasy addresses empowerment and independence concerns. Anthropomorphic main characters side-step some of the “real world/good modeling” issues that may come into play with child characters—especially younger ones. For example, a human child seemingly on their own creates a host of potential reader concerns (Where are their parents? Why are they not at school?) that simply do not happen with, say, a bear or a stapler with googly eyes. By using non-human characters, you place both feet squarely in the fantasy realm, where it is expected and understood that an animal (or object) will have certain unique freedoms to independently explore and exist.
🤔 But—world-building is critical. Getting to the “rules” of the world in your book is your responsibility (and your joy!) to establish. Whatever they are, you must be consistent and make them easily understandable—always, but particularly when combining fantasy and real-life scenarios. For example, in John Ledda and I’s upcoming picture book, THERE’S SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THE BABYSITTER, the raccoons (shhh! the worst-kept secret in the world is that the babysitter may be a stack of raccoons—please—🤫!) who babysit the human child, Freddie, “talk” but only through racoon-style vocalizations. That was an authorial choice I made to play up a believable barrier to verbal-only communication between Freddie and his babysitter while straddling the “it’s fantasy…but set in a human kid’s house” divide. So some questions you may need to address as you build your imaginary world include: how does the character communicate, and in what ways; are all (animals or objects) in your world anthropomorphized (i.e. how “special” are they); to what “degree” do the behave like a human vs. their natural behaviors. Etc.
🥳 Huzzah! You can avoid a lot of visual-based human stereotypes. Visual story arcs that are illustrated with human characters come with (potentially) loaded choices. While illustrators are skilled at showing nuance and expression, sometimes choosing sex, cultural background, or even “look” for a character (for example, being overweight) can be quite unfairly fraught because of societal stereotypes outside creators’ control. Anthropomorphic characters can help us (admittedly flawed) humans more easily move past “human society” visual stereotypes—and instead focus on deeper traits such as personalities, actions, and perhaps more inclusive universal experiences.
🤔 But—you still need to watch for racist and cultural stereotypes. Unfortunately, some animals have been used as racist shorthand (indeed, referring to groups of human beings as if they were wild animals is a classic racist trope), and even fantasy beings, such as goblins, have been used in problematic ways. As a creator for children, you will need to be mindful and own EACH of your character choices so you can avoid perpetuating hurtful analogies and othering. The Highlights anti-racism resource page is a good starting point.
🤔 Most importantly, big picture: if we only have picture books filled with animals and objects, children (literally) will not see themselves in their own literature. And that would be a terrible injustice. So choose wisely, based on what the story calls for!
Lastly, let me leave you with a quote:
“Anyone who writes down to children is simply wasting his time. You have to write up, not down. Children are demanding. They are the most attentive, curious, eager, observant, sensitive, quick, and generally congenial readers on earth.”
― E. B. White
I think no matter which way you go, if you keep that philosophy in your heart while journeying, you really can’t go wrong.
Your human friend (who is often wild at heart),
Elayne
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You know my beef about agents or editors drawing a line on anthropomorphism-i appreciate how you give all the good reasons along with the bad here. Thanks!