BABESTM Characters
The BABES characters are lovable puppets, each of which has a specific role in the lessons. The roles fall into two basic categories: obvious peers to the children receiving the lessons (Buttons, Bows, Rhonda, and Myth Mary), and "helping" characters (Early Bird, Donovan Dignity, and Recovering Reggie) whose role is to provide important factual information or first hand accounts of chemical dependency. The characters are developed so that the children quickly develop a rapport with them, recognizing the various situations the characters must face as "real world" scenarios they themselves have been, or might be, faced with.
The Peer Characters: Buttons, Bows, Rhonda, Myth Mary
Buttons and Bows McKitty are brother and sister kittens who live in Pudding Heights. The are about the same age as the children receiving the lesson (whatever age that happens to be). They go to school, do homework, and have chores at home. They sometimes fight with each other, but really love each other very much. Their parents (who are not seen in the stories) are occasionally not home to help them make decisions, and so they find themselves uncertain of how to react in certain situations. The lessons are
Myth Mary is a squirrel who knows Buttons and Bows. Myth Mary's favorite thing to do is talk. In fact, she talks so much that she often repeats things she hears without knowing whether they are true or appropriate to a given situation. Because she repeats so many things that aren't true ("Nice people don't get upset"), she has been given the name "Myth" Mary. Myth Mary is not always a good friend to Buttons and Bows. She doesn't mean to be a bad influence - she has a big heart - but sometimes she causes problems for the McKitties. Myth Mary's role is to present the children with the cliches and misinformation they are likely to hear, so that the other characters can "set the record straight."
Rhonda Rabbit is the "new kid in the neighborhood." She is very quiet and shy, and has some very serious problems at home. Her mother is an alcoholic who has a live-in boyfriend called Uncle Jenks. Rhonda's mother frequently isn't home to take care of Rhonda, so Rhonda is forced to fend for herself much of the time. Rhonda presents the children with a picture of a child living in a chemically dependent home. She is also an abused child, both physically, to a degree, and sexually. The material concerning Rhonda is presented very carefully and in a caring manner; no specific details are given. Her presence enables the helping characters to give information to the children regarding these issues, including why these things may happen and how to get help.
The Helping Characters: Recovering Reggie, Early Bird, Donovan Dignity
Recovering Reggie is a dog who is a recovering cross-addicted alcoholic. Reggie gives the children first-hand accounts of what it is like to be chemically dependent ("It made me do and say things I didn't want to do or say."), as well as factual information on how he was able to get help and thus become "Recovering" Reggie. Reggie presents a very likable character and the kids realize that alcoholics aren't necessarily "bums" or always drunk, and can be nice people, too.
Early Bird is a kind of early warning system for the other characters. He appears and honks out a warning whenever the children are about to choose a course of action or have been presented with incorrect information. He may warn them that "feelings kept inside can make you feel sick," or just that it's important to be considerate of others. Early Bird is usually the one to introduce a concept in a few short words that Donovan or Reggie can expand upon.
Donovan Dignity is a wise owl who is very learned. He is the one character with all of the information the children need, and he represents the caring, instructional parent or educator. He is always there to correct Myth Mary's misconceptions, and has a wealth of information to share with the children. He is always factual and non-judgmental, and can explain things in terms that children can understand.