In Character

Cookie Monster : 'C is for Cookie, and that's good enough for me!' Cookie Monster has been a icon to a lot of children and adults throughout the ages. Created by Oz and Hanson the Cookie Monster is infatuated by nothing but cookies. Some say that the Cookie Monster is Oz's own id, with no control what so ever. Through their Healthy Habits for Life campaign, Sesame Street's producers tried to control Cookie Monsters obsession by having other characters tell him it was only a "sometimes food" and he might be replaced by the Veggie Monster.


Dora The Explorer : Dora has had a very positive impact on children ever since she debuted in 2000. Dora is a bilingual, exploring latina 7 year old who only wants to explore and encourage kids to do the same. Dora and her accomplices Boots and Backpack help along the way. Dora was introduced to help kids with common spanish terms and the producers wanted an interactive children's show. Dora promotes activity and imagination. She is important in our culture today because she teaches kids about other cultures while having fun.


One character that I find intriguing is Stephanie Plum from the Janet Evanchoic series. Stephanie is outgoing, intense and always up for a sometimes seemingly impossible challenge. Stephanie is a mid 30s woman who just got laid off from her safe job as a travel agent. In order to get by she must take a job with her cousin; he offers bounty hunting services for the local court. Stephanie, without any prior experience, takes the challenge in stride. She demonstrates a strong female character that many young women can look up to. She doesn't rely on the men around her like she is told to by her father. Stephanie usually strikes out on her own, or sometime with another female companion, to solve her case. Even though she is a strong and independent woman, Stephanie doesn't rule out all men. She is love sick for an old childhood friend, Joe Morelli. I believe that Stephanie is a well balanced character, that not many know, who could potentially help women, or even men, in their everyday struggles by providing them with insight.

Stories

Part 1: Stories are a very important to everyones childhood. Stories provide a glimps into a different life. Also when kids are read stories they can drift on into their own imagination and can expand on the story at hand. Imagination is a huge part of childhood giving kids a place to escape and have fun. Kids also learn morals and important life lessons in the stories they're told.

Part 2: When older people read stories they also are provided with an escape. They read stories for all different reasons. Some may read for consolement, joy, a good laugh or self help. Stories can provide people with an area to connect with other people they never knew. Older people can get important life lessons out of stories as well.

Part 3: Stories are important to our nation because they can provide a common ground around the country. Someone in rural North Dakota could read a book off of the New York Times Best Sellers List and get the same experience out of the book as someone in the Upper West Side of New York City. Or on the other hand they might have radically different views on the book. Also, stories provide grounds for discussions. Everyone has had a different experience in their life and therefore can bring a different view to the story. This can help other people understand other people lives and to connect with them.

Part 4: I remember stories from my childhood such as; Goodnight Moon, Marti and the Mango, Bertie and the Bear, Oh My a Fly!, and The Postman Series. All of these stories, and many more, stand out to me because my mom and dad read them to me and I always cherished time with them. The stories also helped me imagine new things in life and mental stimualtion. They are all fun stories and I look back on them fondly.

Part 5: What a good story should have: 1. A character that people can relate to. 2. An interesting climax that people get sucked into. 3. Word choice that is vivid and grabs the reader's attention the entire way through. 4. A plot that has purpose and is interesting. 5. Supporting characters that are either loveable or dislikable. 6. A resolution that doesn't leave the reader "hanging".

A good character is one that the reader can relate to either through their own life experiences or someone they know. If a reader can connect to the character they are more likely to be interested in the story. Also, a good character is one that provides insight into other aspects of life. I think that if a character can connect and provide insight that the author has done a good job creating that character.