Teddy Bear Teddy Bear

Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

The First Teddy Bear

1 In the early 1900s, New York store-owners Morris Michtom and his wife Rose invented a new toy that would change the toy industry forever. They made a stuffed toy bear out of cloth to honor the president of the United States, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. They wanted to call it Teddy’s Bear. The bear was stuffed with sawdust and had buttons sewed on for the eyes. The Michtoms sent one of the bears to President Roosevelt and asked if they could use the name Teddy for the toy. The president agreed to the request. The Michtoms put a toy bear in the store window with a sign that said Teddy’s Bear.

Popular Toys

2 People loved the toy bears. In fact, the bears became so popular that the Michtoms founded the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, which allowed them to quickly produce many toy bears. Other toy makers began making their own bears. Everyone wanted a teddy bear—especially children! Parents bought teddy bears for their little ones, who loved to hold the soft bears as they drifted off to sleep. Children also enjoyed having their picture taken while holding their bear. It was common to see children holding teddy bears just about anywhere.