LICENSABLE BABY CHARACTER MAY EASE SIBLING RIVALRY

BABY CHARACTER MAY EASE SIBLING RIVALRY

“Fanciful” Children’s Character has a “Real” Propose and Mission

Have you ever had a need to create something because you can't find anything like it in stores anywhere? It happened to artist, Ray Gatica, from Humble, Texas, who created the “The Official Baby Watcher (The OBW)”, an artistic, children’s character, born out of his imagination and a need for a meaningful baby gift for a friend’s newborn baby. The original gift was the character painted on a two-dimensional poster since then it has been presented in a soft plush doll that doubles as a decorative wall hanging.

"When I created the character, I wanted to give the baby a special, meaningful gift, something significant, and with a purpose. I thought the greatest thing I could a give a child would be their very own personal guardian to watch over them, forever," says Gatica. From this thought, The O.B.W. concept and character were born

The character, now a doll, is an extension of The Baby Watcher story in which the character magically transforms and over comes his fear and self-doubt to save the baby in the story, from imminent danger - to earn the title - The Li'l Baby Watcher (read story excerpt below). Click to go see the character and relevant story excerpt.

Families are invited to visit the character’s website to download a free copy of the story (with accompanying colorful illustrations) to share with small children.

“The OBW is more than just a character or a doll,” says Gatica, “He is a character with a purpose and mission because the story, on which the character is based, will inspire the family, especially children, to rally behind the character to watch over their smaller baby brother or sister. The artist, believes that The Official Baby Watcher story will inspire older siblings of babies and small children, and other family members to become extensions of the character - to help watch over the smaller siblings - to make it a better, safer place for small children. This thought, along with a couple of family-oriented products, storybook and t-shirts, based on the character and concept, are designed to elicit family participation - which will serve to help make his 'fanciful' mission a warm 'reality'.

The character is an extension to the story, written and illustrated by the artist, serves to introduce the character to the family. The story is non-mushy reading for ages 3 on up. In the story the character is described as a peculiar looking little misfit character named Wob. He has big eyes, big ears, and big nose and sturdy short-short legs with BIG funny feet. The idea is that - it is these peculiar features that allow him to be what he is, because, with his big eyes and ears he is able to see everything, and watch over the baby’s room. And, with his sturdy, short legs and funny big feet he is able to stand tirelessly and dutifully as he performs his watchman-duty -hence the name - The Official Baby Watcher. The above description has been carried over to the plush doll/wallhanging, and assorted products.

The Official Baby Watcher doll is the primary item. Through it, the character presents itself as fanciful, little baby watchman and a li’l silent sentinel that watches over babies and small children, lovingly and dutifully. The idea is that when the baby is not playing with the doll, it is designed to hang on the wall where it performs its fanciful duty. When a family member shares an OBW doll with a baby or small family member, or of a friend's - it is an extension of their love and caring for the child; “a gift from the heart”. The dolls are available in assorted face and hair color combinations so that they can be shared with babies and small children of all nationalities.

The doll package includes an OBW story card, a shorter version of the illustrated storybook and serves to introduce the character to the family and a placard, which gets filled-in with the baby’s name and birth-date and then tacked on the wall, next to the doll/wall hanging. This serves to personalize the doll and form a loving bond between the character and his or her baby watchman. The dolls are available in assorted face and hair color combinations to reflect our multicultural society and, are equally suitable for baby boys and girls. “I expect they will be passed on through generations to become lovable keepsakes,” says Gatica.

Visit the website www.thelilbabywatchr.net and read ‘A few words by the artist”

Conclusively, I believe the OBW can be used as a small tool in minimizing sibling rivalry,” says Gatica. I expect a discerning public, who expect more from a children's character, will support the character and help in spreading his mission world-wide. It is not often that you can say a children’s character has a defining purpose and mission, much less redeeming, social value.