The Teddy Bear Tree

by Barbara Dillon

Too much of a good thing can be worse than not enough, as Bertine Lewis discovers in this winning fantasy. How would you behave if you suddenly became the possessor of ten demanding teddy bears?
Bertine loves bears, the more the better. So when a teddy-bearing tree sprouts miraculously in her backyard, she is over-joyed. And more marvelous is that one of the bears can talk. From the beginning, though, Joel has a mind of his own, and Bertine finds that she doesn't always agree with him. Especially when he tells her that she must find other homes for some of the bears. Bertine has no intention of sharing her wealth, but then the bears take matters into their own hands. Even stubborn Bertine is no match for them and must bow to the strength of teddy bear power.

79 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Jamie Dacyczyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably checked this book out half a dozen times from my elementary school library. I can still remember the warm fuzzy feeling that this gave me, imagining myself suddenly getting ten beautiful soft new teddy bears overnight.

I tracked down a copy to reread as an adult (probably 30+ years since I last read it), and it's weird how much I remember. It's not a very long book, and it's definitely a book that Teaches a Moral Lesson (in this case: it's nice to share with your friends). The only thing that differs from my memory is that I thought ALL of the bears eventually went to new owners, but in reality the main character kept 3 out of the 10 for herself, not just one. So maybe the moral is to share, but you don't have to give away everything....best to keep a slight surplus in the event of a teddy bear shortage.

I think young readers will still enjoy this book today. There's nothing particularly dated in it, and it is a pretty cute story.

[Shelly Mateer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a stuffed animal-loving kid. Never played much with dolls, but I had TONS of stuffed animals. Obviously when I read this book as a child it spoke to me. I spent days upon days dreaming that my stuffed animals would talk to me the way Bertine’s teddy bear does. I fantasized and wished with all of my heart that my stuffed animals would one day come to life.

Reading this book as an adult I can still remember the magic it held for me as a young reader.

Bertine is lucky enough to have grown a teddy bear tree and she at first wants to keep all of the bears to herself. But as she realizes what a handful a bunch of live teddy bears can be, she decides to generously share all of her bears with her friends. This book is a great classic read that teaches about the value and importance of sharing.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a child, and I still think it's a cute story today. I must have checked this out of the library at my elementary school at least ten times. I highly recommend this for anybody with children! It's a very creative and fun story.

[Erika Worley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really weird book. Not quite as fluffy as it seems at first glance, but by no means creepy. It is more about teaching a harsh lesson about sharing. This is not CareBears. It is a story with teddy bears growing on a tree who each want to have their own special person.

[Katie Shepley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t remember much about this book other than it was the first book I ever read and I read it with my Mom on her bed. One of the best memories I have.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my childhood favorites. Still delightful. I look forward to reading it to my 5yo.

[Kyle Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a kid and it was just as good when I read it to my 5 year old son. He really enjoyed it too

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this book! lol. I grew up reading this one, and loved it to pieces! I remember it as so adorable, and it was one I could read all over again right after I had first finished it. A cute story...:) I should see if I can find it again...

[Rachel Wincel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my absolute favorite book as a young child. Like many, I checked it out over and over from the local library. Several years ago I bought a copy from Amazon so I could have my very own teddy bear tree at christmastime. It's a moralistic tale but full of mischief and magic.

[Whitnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cutest story read it when I was little and i could read this thing over and over again. Its soo cute I should try to find it again.

[Alenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first chapter book I've read to my 3 1/2 year old boys. I can't say that they caught everything that was happening, but I enjoyed reading it to them.

[KaDee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the very first chapter book I ever read. My mom helped me sound out the words I didn't know, and this book will always remind me of her. It was a really cute story.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, cute story that any teddy bear lover will enjoy. :)

[Erin Volk · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books from elementary school. Checked it out so many times! As an adult, I just had to buy it to read to my own children some day down the road.

[Crystal Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this when I was little. One of the first chapter books I couldn't put down.