Zylie the Bear

    I can honestly say that I can trace back my love affair with teddy bears at the tender age of 2.  A faded photograph of a little pig tailed girl clutching a small, tannish brown bear in her arms as she greets with a huge smile on her face, an even bigger bear, “Winnie the Pooh” at a holiday parade.   Since childhood, I’ve loved all things bear, so needless to say, when I was recently provided with an opportunity to review Zylie the Bear, I was just thrilled.   

      Mary Beth Minton, Founder and CEO created Zylie the Bear with her daughter in mind.  Minton recalls that, “she only liked playing with stuffed animals and would see her sister Kate’s doll clothes and want to dress up her teddy bear.  So she’d stuff the bear into the doll clothes.”  Inspired by her daughter’s imaginative play, Zylie the Bear was born.

      Zylie the Bear is 18” tall, and she wears skinny blue jeans, an orange daisy patterned sleeveless blouse and a soft white coat, just perfect for those cold New York (where Zylie is from) temperatures.  The bear is extremely well crafted, as it quickly reminded me of the stuffed animals and toys that I had when I was a child (made to last and pass along to our future children); her arms and legs are jointed so she moves just like a doll, only Zylie is far cuddlier.  Zylie also comes along with accessories that fit her adventurous lifestyle─ an orange tote, a map, diary, passport, and a delightfully illustrated storybook, “The Adventures of Zylie the Bear─New  York” that you and your little one will enjoy as you learn more about Zylie’s life story, and join along as you follow Zylie, her little brother Theo on their worldly adventures.   The librarian in me loves the fact that the storybook includes a glossary in the back, filled with definitions that explain some of the words and places that are mentioned in the tale.  Ultimately, the care and attention to detail in creating this lovely bear was a total standout, and worth every penny you could spend.

      Due to Zylie’s growing popularity, a series of delightful children’s books follow Zylie on her world travels have been released, along with a line of outfits perfectly respective of the bear’s adventurous spirit, and new ‘friends’, including Shen the Panda debuted.  I was pleased to learn that Zylie’s founders also give back to the community, as each year,  they provide a $1,000 educational scholarship to a student in grades 4 thru 8 in the New York metropolitan area who shows leadership through community service volunteering.

     The winner of numerous awards, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Best Toy Award and Dr. Toy’s Best Picks Winner, this fashionable, lovely bear is destined to become a classic. It already has won my heart, and I am sure it will win yours!  For further information on Zylie the Bear, and to learn more about where to find a retailer near you, please visit her website at http://www.zyliethebear.com