Behind the Scenes: Creating Characters That Ask the Right Questions
A look inside our creative process, how we design characters that model curiosity, empathy, and thoughtful inquiry for young readers.
The Curious Crew
Every Curious Crew character begins with a single question: "What does this character wonder about?" Not what they know, not what they can do, but what genuinely puzzles them about the world.
Curiosity as Character Trait
Most children's characters are defined by what makes them special superpowers, talents, bravery. Our characters are defined by what makes them curious. Each one models a different type of inquiry: scientific questioning, emotional reflection, creative exploration, or philosophical wondering.
The Design Process
Creating a Curious Crew character involves three stages:
- The Wonder Profile - we define what this character is curious about and why.
- The Conversation Style - each character asks questions differently, modelling diverse thinking styles.
- The Growth Arc - characters don't find answers; they find better questions.
Why Representation Matters
Children need to see curiosity modelled by characters who look, think, and experience the world differently from each other. Diversity in our character design is not cosmetic, it is fundamental to showing children that curiosity is universal. This is especially important for encouraging women and girls in STEM.
What's Next
We're currently developing new characters for our upcoming series, each exploring a different dimension of curiosity. Stay tuned for announcements and if you have ideas for what a curious character should wonder about, we'd love to hear from you.
