A cartoonist is an artist who draws cartoons, which are illustrations that tell stories, make people laugh, or express ideas in a visual way. Cartoonists create the comic strips you see in newspapers, the graphic novels on library shelves, and the animated shows you watch on television.

Some cartoonists work alone, writing and drawing everything themselves. Charles Schulz, who created Peanuts, drew every single Peanuts strip for almost 50 years. Other cartoonists collaborate: one person might write the jokes while another does the artwork, like the team behind many superhero comics.

Editorial cartoonists draw political cartoons for newspapers, using humor and exaggeration to comment on current events. They might draw a politician with an enormous nose or show complex problems through simple, striking images. These cartoonists help readers think about important issues in new ways.

The skills of a cartoonist go beyond just drawing well. They need to understand timing (when to reveal a punchline), expression (how a character's face shows emotion), and storytelling (how to move readers through panels in the right order). A successful cartoonist can make you laugh, cry, or think, sometimes all in just a few simple drawings. Many cartoonists develop such distinctive styles that you can recognize their work instantly, the way you'd recognize a friend's handwriting.