Seymour Eaton

The Roosevelt Bears Seymour Eaton

Teddy bears were first born in 1902. After a famous hunting trip in which President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt refused to shoot a defenseless bear, Washington Post political cartoonist Clifford Berryman drew a cute and lovable bear and the "teddy bear became an instant icon. The first teddy bear was made by toymaker Morris Michtom and his company, the Ideal Toy Company, received permission from President Roosevelt to call the toy Teddy's bear.

The Roosevelt Bears, Their Travels and Adventures was written by Seymour Eaton. It first appeared as a serialized story in newspapers in 1905. In 1906, the story was published in book form. Illustrated in color and black-and-white by V. Floyd Campbell, the tale follows two bears, Teddy-B and Teddy-G, as they leave their western home and take a train east to see the sights. As their journey continues, the two bears become more and more famous -- newspapers write about them, crowds wait to see them, and eager citizens follow their exploits. Join them again, over a century later, as these two lovable bears travel our great country in this classic American book for children.

Since the name 'Roosevelt' has been used in the title, it may be of public interest to know that President [Theodore] Roosevelt and his boys have been please with the story as it has appeared in serial form.

-Seymour Eaton