OtterKnow Kids Encyclopedia

Cartoons are drawings that tell stories, make us laugh, or show us something in a fun way. You see cartoons in TV shows, movies, comic books, and even newspapers! Cartoon characters can be people, animals, or anything an artist can imagine.

Some cartoons move and some stay still. The ones that move are called animated cartoons. When an artist draws many pictures that are a little bit different and shows them very fast, the pictures look like they are moving. That is how your favorite cartoon shows and movies are made!

Making a cartoon takes a lot of work. An artist starts by drawing characters and thinking up a story. They sketch out what will happen in each scene, like making a picture book of the whole show.

For animated cartoons, artists used to draw every picture by hand on clear sheets called cels. They needed to draw thousands of pictures for just a few minutes of a cartoon! Today, most cartoons are made on computers. Artists draw the characters on a screen and use special programs to make them walk, talk, and jump around.

Voice actors also help bring cartoons to life. They are the people who speak the words for each character. Musicians add fun sounds and catchy songs too!