Ruggles Talks About Divorce

Clearly inspired by Pee-Wee Herman, Barry Pintar adopts the role of Ruggles, a magician who lives in a secret place where children can feel safe to talk about their feelings. After establishing rapport with some magic tricks, Ruggles broaches the topic of divorce, explaining how moms and dads sometimes stop loving one another and separate because they are unhappy. He explains that children can feel all kinds of feelings (including anger, confusion, fear, relief, and embarrassment) and that it's okay to have these feelings. Ruggles emphasizes that both parents still love the child, even though the child will primarily stay with one parent after the divorce. In addition, Ruggles touches on the subjects of different rules at parents' houses, holidays, the importance of keeping both parents informed about what's going on in their lives, and using letters and phone calls to keep in touch if one parent has moved far away. Although made by a religious organization, the program makes no religious references whatsoever. Recommended. (R. Pitman)