A character sketch serves as a vivid portrayal of a character's personality, appearance, and motivations within a narrative. This tool is commonly used by authors during the writing process to flesh out characters, making them relatable and memorable for readers. A character sketch often includes physical descriptions, background information, and key traits that might influence a character's decisions. By providing insights into a character’s emotions and desires, sketches help establish depth, leading to more engaging storytelling, especially in children's literature where relatability is crucial.