When I was five years old, my idol was Punky Brewster. She was a fun, free-spirited girl who faced challenges with courage and creativity. I was a kindergartner living in a new country, and she was everything I wanted to be. So when I brainstormed my first picture book protagonist, I knew she had to be fueled with, “Punky Power!”

Illustration by Natasha Khan Kazi. Punky Brewster (NBC, 1984–1988) image used under fair use for the purpose of commentary.*

Enter, Lulu, the protagonist of Lulu in the Spotlight: A South Asian Wedding Story! From her personality traits to her visual design, this is how I brought Lulu to life. Read on to learn about the art and heart behind Lulu’s character design.

Lulu character sketches. Photo credit: Natasha Khan Kazi

Understanding Lulu’s Personality

Since I wrote the words for Lulu in the Spotlight, I understood my main character and all her motivations. Lulu is the youngest (and least accomplished) in her family and wants to finally get some respect. She is stepping into her self-confidence and finding her unique voice. I wanted Lulu to be someone readers could see themselves in—vulnerable yet resilient. So, I outlined her key traits: brave, kind, clever, and a bit of a mess.

Research, Research, Research

But being brave and messy is a broad description. How does it translate to a little person? I pulled inspiration from real-life youngest siblings who might share her journey. While I was drafting the art for Lulu, my sister-in-law was getting married! So I was surrounded by little Lulus. I saw their eagerness to play an important role in the big day. The image below of my niece-in-law, Imarah, getting squished (while trying to help) makes me giggle. She is so cute.

I thought a lot about the character I wanted to create for the little ones in my life. I wanted to create a “fun, fearless” character rooted in their unique South Asian culture. Something I adored about Punky Brewster were the pins she had on her jacket—little symbols that shared who she was. So, I also researched the symbols that felt right for Lulu—stars, hearts, and flowers. She is the star of this wedding tradition story, but it’s because of her heart.

Brainstorming

This was my second book (in a two-book deal) with HarperCollins, so I had the benefit of brainstorming with my team at VERSIFY Books. I shared three different ideas with my editor and art director.
Idea #3 was a cute little girl, but it could be any little girl.
Idea #2, in hindsight, was very derivative of Punky Brewster.
Idea #1 was something new, entirely inspired by Lulu’s personality.

Lulu character sketches. Photo credit: Natasha Khan Kazi

Choosing Hair and Facial Features

Lulu is a member of a big, beautiful South Asian American family! Within the South Asian community, there are so many beautiful shades of skin tones, eye colors, and hair textures.

Though I (and Punky) have very straight hair, the women on my Mom’s side of the family have lovely curly locks. The curves in curly hair feel so dynamic to me, and Lulu is a little dynamo. I drew Lulu with straight hair many times, and it didn’t feel right. But the first time I drew her with curly hair, it instantly made sense. When it came to her facial features, I love expressive (but not cartoonish) eyes. I also find interesting noses and missing teeth delightful. Lulu received the features that made me smile the most.

Choosing The Outfit

I love drawing outfits, and when it comes to South Asian formal clothing, the options are amazing and unlimited. In designing for Lulu’s personality, my dynamic girl could not be bothered by a big gown or a lehenga skirt. She needed pajamas, South Asian dress pants, for speed and agility. And instead of being elegantly draped like a shawl, her dupatta flies behind her like a cape. As I mentioned, symbols are a fun way to speak to a character’s personality, and Lulu is covered in hearts and stars.

Creating Lulu’s World

After finalizing the design for Lulu, I created the characters and world around her. In South Asian families there is often a lot of characters. So, making each one distinct with their own stories was a fun exercise. There is Zara the book lover, Farah the athlete, and Tarek with the riz. Kamal, the main antagonist, was originally named Omar, but I decided to change his name in a later draft. My mother’s middle brother’s name is Kamal. Kamal uncle, “the black sheep”, is where I get my artistic genes. He never pursued art as a career, but is an incredible artist.

Final Thoughts

Every detail, from her inner thoughts to the colors of her clothing, was carefully chosen to make Lulu real. What’s your favorite or most challenging step in designing a storybook character? Follow me @NatashaKhanKazi and let me know!

In Joy,

Miss Natasha

*This image is a screenshot from Punky Brewster (NBC, 1984–1988) and is used here under the principles of fair use for the purpose of commentary. Specifically, it illustrates the creative inspiration behind Lulu, the protagonist of my book Lulu in the Spotlight. Punky Brewster’s bold and colorful personality influenced my art, showcasing how nostalgic pop culture shapes modern storytelling. This use does not compete with or substitute the original work but serves to provide context and analysis in a transformative manner.