Sidekicks, Villains, & Extras: Adding Depth to Your Supporting Cast
While the hero takes center stage in a narrative fiction picture book, the supporting cast also plays a crucial role in enriching the story and moving the action forward. From steadfast sidekicks to memorable villains, these characters help drive the story forward, and add humor, tension, or heart—while undergoing their own emotional arcs within the narrative.
The Sidekick: More Than Just Comic Relief
A sidekick often serves as the hero’s sounding board, moral compass, or a source of levity. Think of the best friend who encourages the hero to take a leap of faith, the mischievous pet who complicates matters, or the eccentric grandparent who offers unexpected wisdom. A great sidekick enhances, rather than overshadows, the main character.
From a Hero’s Journey perspective, a sidekick frequently falls into the Mentor or Ally archetype—offering guidance, companionship, or even an occasional challenge to the hero’s beliefs. The best sidekicks have their own growth arcs, learning lessons alongside the hero. For example, a timid best friend might find their own courage by supporting the protagonist’s mission.
The Villain (or Antagonist): Conflict Creates Story
Every hero needs an obstacle to overcome, and that’s where the villain—or antagonist—comes in. In picture books, these characters don’t always have to be sinister. Sometimes, they’re simply an opposing force: a strict parent enforcing certain behavioral expectations, a rival classmate vying for the same friend’s affection, or even the hero’s own self-doubt.
The strongest villains have clear motivations that make sense within the story. They might even believe they’re the hero of their own tale. A grumpy neighbor who scolds kids for playing too close to his prize-winning roses might ultimately learn the value of kindness. A bully who seems mean-spirited might actually be struggling with their own insecurities.
Minor Characters: The Unsung Heroes of Story Depth
Don’t underestimate the power of well-placed minor characters. The seemingly inconsequential teacher, shopkeeper, or bus driver can play the role of a mentor, trickster, or catalyst. They might deliver a pivotal line that nudges the hero toward a breakthrough or demonstrate kindness in a way that shifts the hero’s understanding of the world. Even background characters should feel like they exist beyond the confines of the page, contributing to the book’s sense of realism and depth.
Giving Supporting Characters Their Own Emotional Arcs
A well-crafted supporting character doesn’t merely exist to serve the hero’s journey—they should have their own small arcs of change. Maybe the best friend who starts out as overly cautious learns to embrace adventure. Perhaps the class bully who torments the hero comes to realize that kindness earns more respect than intimidation. Even comedic sidekicks can undergo change—think of a cowardly pet who finally finds their bravery in the final act.
And it doesn’t take a lot of extra words to achieve this. One of the best examples of a supporting character with an emotional arc of change is Max’s mother in Where the Wild Things Are. Even though she is only directly referenced on the first few pages and is never actually pictured in the illustrations, we know she makes a journey of change from anger to forgiveness because when Max returns home he finds his supper waiting for him – despite having been sent to bed without supper. Now that is a master class in a supporting character’s emotional journey!
Here are some questions to consider when developing secondary characters:
- How does this character inform the hero’s journey?
- What is their relationship to the hero? How does he or she help us to better understand the hero’s motivations?
- How would the hero’s life and/or journey be different if he or she had never met this character?
- How would this character’s life and/or journey be different if he or she had never met the hero?
Every secondary or supporting character, no matter how minor, must have a role to play when it comes to deepening the reader’s understanding of the main character… otherwise they have no reason – or right – to be there. No character should be merely decorative, or exist simply to populate the world of your story. Everyone must have an impact on the main character, whether that main character is aware of it or not. From loyal sidekicks to mischievous tricksters, and from complex antagonists to surprising mentors, a thoughtfully developed supporting cast helps bring a story to life, making it richer, more engaging, and deeply memorable.
