Care Bears are More than Teddy Bears

Care is the key word in Care Bears. 

Each Care Bear has a special tummy symbol that represents their own special way of caring.  These plush toys are a wonderful way to teach children how to care about themselves and others while having great fun at the same time!

The idea for Care Bears was born in 1981 at the American Greetings Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio for the purpose of creating greeting cards.  The well known children's book illustrator,  Elena Kucharik was the artist responsible for breathing personality into the little bears. 

An example of Elena Kucharik's work.

The line was a great success and in 1983, American Greetings, and their lisencing subsidiary, Those Characters From Cleveland (TCFC) started the line of toys from Kenner that we know as Care Bears. 

They were intoduced to the world in their own television special and more specials and a television series soon followed. In 1985 the Care Bears starred in their own animated movie! It is said that between 1983 and 1987, the Care Bear franchise brought in over 40 million dollars!

But back to caring...The Care Bears live in a place called Care-a-Lot in The Kingdom of Caring. The resemblance to Camelot is not un-intentional.  The Care Bears meet in the Care-a-Lot Castle around a heart shaped table and go off on quests of caring! In fact one bear, Love-a-Lot, has a name not unlike a certain beloved knight Lance-a-lot (lancelot).

There were 10 Original Care Bears:

1.)   Bedtime Bear: His tummy symbol is a cresent moon and he helps people all over the world to get a restful sleep every night.

2.)   Birthday Bear: His symbol is a cupcake with a single candle and he celebrates everyones birthday everyday.

3.)   Cheer Bear: Her symbol is a beautiful rainbow and she tries to make everyone as happy as they can be (even Grumpy)

4.)   Friend Bear: She is great friend to everyone and her symbol is two intertwined flowers.

5.)   Funshine Bear: He is always referred to as the Care Bear's class-clown.  His symbol is a bright smiling sun.

6.)   Good Luck Bear: His four-leaf clover symbol helps bring good luck to everyone he meets.

7.)   Grumpy Bear: He knows that it's ok to be grumpy sometimes but not to stay grumpy.  His symbol is rain cloud with pretty falling hearts to remind you that grumpiness doesn't last.

8.)   Love-a-Lot: Reminds us that love makes the world go 'round and her symbol of two intertwined hearts is perfect for her.

9.)   Tenderheart Bear: He is the leader of the Care Bears and shares his big heart with everyone encouraging them to be kind with each other.  His symbol is a big red heart, of course.

10.) Wish Bear: She helps our wishes come true and tells us to believe in our dreams.  Even if our wishes don't come true, it's still fun to wish! Her symbol is a shooting star with a golden rainbow.

But what about True Heart Bear and Harmony Bear and the Cousins....?

Next time I will tell you about The Forest of Feelings!

It's somewhere between here and Care-a-Lot!

Care Bear graphics from the official Care Bears site.