When President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid hunter, refused to shoot a bear cub on a hunting expedition to Mississippi in 1902, it became the subject of Clifford Berryman’s feel-good editorial cartoon. In Brooklyn, Rosie and Morris Mitchom’s store sold candy and sundries, including Mrs. Mitchom’s handmade toys. The cartoon inspired Mrs. Mitchom to sew a small, stuffed bear, calling it “Teddy’s Bear.” Soon she couldn’t keep up with demand for “teddy bears.” This merry picture-book history takes some liberty with the facts—there is rumor but not proof that the Mitchom’s wrote Roosevelt for permission to use his name, or that he wrote back on White House stationery, for example—but the author’s note clearly delineates conjecture and artistic license from fact, and also includes reproductions of the cartoon and a photo of an original teddy bear. T he lively narrative is paired with stylized illustrations that have just the right touch of whimsy. (Ages 6–9)

A delightful tale of the first-ever teddy bear. The story goes that on a hunting trip in 1902, President Theodore ÒTeddyÓ Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear. A political cartoonist shared the story in the newspaper and then, impressed by the presidentÕs big, warm heart, shopkeepers Rosie and Morris Michtom decided to create a ÒTeddyÓ bear in his honor to sell in their store. The bear was so popular, they made another. And another. And before they knew it, they needed to build a factory: it seemed every child wanted a teddy bear of their own! History with a twist of fun! Now thereÕs even more to love about the ever-popular toy!