The Kin-der-Kids - Characters and Story

Characters and Story

The Kin-der-Kids followed an ongoing story about the three Kin-der brothers who, along with their dog and a mechanical boy, set sail in the family's antique bathtub to explore the world. The strips imply that the Kin-ders set sail for a specific reason: early on they receive a note - unseen to the reader - from Mysterious Pete which contains instructions for their trip. These instructions and the purpose of their trip remain indeterminate for the life of the comic.

The primary cast of The Kin-der-Kids were introduced to Tribune readers before the commencement of the strip's regular publication. On April 29, 1906 the Tribune published a special "All About the Tribune's New Comic Supplement" section. The cover featured a caricature of "Uncle" Feininger suspending the cast marionette-like on strings. The "New Comic Supplement" introduction also included a page of color portraits of the characters, and inside the supplement were prose biographies of the cast.

The cast introduced in this publication are:

• Daniel Webster: The bookish leader of the kids, he is frequently preoccupied with his reading, appealing with "oh, don't disturb me," when the other kids alert him to happenings around them. Daniel's design is notably similar to that of Wee Willie Winkie.
• Pie-Mouth: The second of the kids, a boy with an enormous mouth and an equally enormous appetite.
• Strenuous Teddy: The most physical of the Kin-der kids, frequently demonstrating feats of strength.
• Little Japansky: A clockwork boy fished from the sea by Uncle Kin-der. Described as a "water baby," Japansky is mechanical device lost by a Japanese submarine, not a living child.
• Sherlock Bones: Daniel Webster's dog, a blue dachshund who accompanies the children on their adventures.
• Aunt Jim-Jam and Gussie: Portrayed as over-worrying and concerned for the Kin-ders' safety, Aunt Jim-Jam pursues the Kids in a hot-air balloon to ensure that they receive their doses of Castor oil. She is accompanied by her son, Gussie and their pet cat. Along the way they pick up another traveler, Mr. Buggins, who was not mentioned in the April 29th introduction.
• Mysterious Pete and his hound: Mysterious Pete is a strange visitor wrapped in a large blue cloak and a big hat, with one eye peering out. Pete floats on a cloud, accompanied by his dog, to deliver messages to the rest of the cast, and occasionally to rescue them from trouble. He is described by other characters as some kind of ghost, prefers buckskin clothing, and has a western style revolver at the ready. Although he initially gives the Kids their instructions, it is also he who sets Aunt JimJam and company in pursuit of the Kids.
• The Pillsbury Family: Mister Phileas P. Pillsbury, possibly a snake oil salesman, is the inventor of "The Pillsbury Universal Growing Pill," which he seeks to travel the world marketing, along with five young daughters. The Pillsburys are introduced as major characters, however they only make one minor appearance in the course of the strip's life.
• Uncle Kin-der: the Kids' good-natured uncle and "nominal" head of the Kin-der family. Uncle Kin-der is never seen again after the strip's introduction.