Happy Friday. Another lovely warm weekend stretching out ahead of us. Perfect weather for getting into the great outdoors and enjoying a spot of alfresco dining.

Whether your preference is for packed lunches in the park, ice cream on the beach, picnics in the woods or barbecues in your own back garden, we hope whatever you get up to, you have plenty of fun in the sun.

And, if heading off for a picnic in the woods is what's topping your list, well then, it's possible, you might just find this week's CAROUSSENTIAL offering, gathered there, hiding beneath a tree, having had the self same idea.

Can you guess where we're going with this?

No surprises (or disguises) -

- It's our very own, Carousel Toys exclusive, the extremely playful, but not-so-little:

In today's CAROUSSENTIALS feature, we'll be properly acquainting you with this customer - and company - favourite; our adorable, super snuggly, jumbo teddy - Cookie Bear

Plus we'll be embarking on a delightful journey, examining the history of teddy bears and unravelling their dual nationality origins.

We'll also be looking at why these iconic cuddly toy creations hold such universal appeal and the myriad benefits teddy bears bring us; from providing comfort and companionship, to sparking imagination and fostering emotional well-being.

So, get your picnic packed (with lots of marvellous things to eat), put aside your cares, and get ready to have a lovely time today, as you discover all you've ever wished to know about the iconic soft toy classic that is, the Teddy Bear.

Well, like teddy bears, this answer has two arms:

The invention of the teddy bear is attributed mainly to a couple of significant individuals who played noteable roles during the same time period.

Over in the USA, Morris Michtom, a shopkeeper from New York, is considered to be one of the primary creators of the teddy bear:
Inspired by a political cartoon published in 1902, which depicted then President, Theodore Roosevelt, saving a captured bear cub, Michtom fabricated a stuffed bear and displayed it in his shop window, labelling it "Teddy's bear."

Simultaneously, in Germany, renowned toy manufacturer, Richard Steiff, had also been busy designing his own toy bear:
Steiff developed a first of its kind, jointed bear with movable limbs and a distinctive hump, which set it apart from other stuffed animals of the time. Steiff's teddy bears were introduced to the market in 1903 and became an immediate international sensation.

Both Michtom and Steiff played crucial roles in popularising the teddy bear and their creations soon became one of the most beloved childhood toys, transcending borders and cultures.

Today, teddy bears are available in a huge array of sizes, styles and materials. They continue to be cherished as timeless classics, and are often passed down through generations as treasured heirlooms.