More About Teddy B. and Teddy G., the Roosevelt Bears: Being Volume Two Depicting Their Further Travels and Adventures

In Short

This whimsical narrative follows the cross-country journey of two bear companions, Teddy-B and Teddy-G, as they trade their quiet mountain life for the clamor of American cities. Through a series of playful vignettes, the bears attend school, run newspapers, fight fires, and eventually meet the President. Written with a rhythmic, jingling cadence and charming illustrations, the book serves as a celebration of childhood wonder and the burgeoning spirit of the early twentieth century. It remains a classic of its era, capturing a uniquely optimistic American imagination.

The Story

The narrative begins with the two bears leaving their Colorado den, eager to see the world beyond the mountains. Their journey is defined by a series of high-spirited escapades that bridge the gap between animal nature and human curiosity. They travel through rural landscapes, where they disrupt a district school with impossible geography questions and briefly try their paws at farming. From there, the bears move into the bustle of urban life, moving from Chicago to Boston and finally toward the East Coast.

As they travel, the bears act as catalysts for fun and disruption. They ring bells in Chicago hotels, assist with a fire in a dry goods store, and even find themselves caught in a runaway balloon that lands them atop the tower of Philadelphia’s City Hall. Despite these mishaps, they maintain a cheerful demeanor, frequently using their travels to help children or organize community events. In Philadelphia, they take over a local theater performance, much to the delight of the young audience, before heading toward their ultimate goal: Washington, D.C.

Upon arriving in the capital, the bears are initially wary of the "great hunter" who famously tracks bears in the wild. However, they discover the President to be a man of character and kindness. They are welcomed into the White House, where they share stories of their travels and are treated with hospitality. This meeting serves as the emotional peak of their tour, validating their identity as travelers who belong in the world of men as much as in the wilderness.

Following this success, the bears conclude their tour and return to Colorado. The journey home is a victory lap; they are greeted by their animal friends with gifts and tales of the outside world. They settle back into their mountain den, but they do so as changed beings—no longer just wild animals, but seasoned world travelers who have seen the wonders of the nation. The story ends with them tucked into their home, content with the memories they have gathered and, specifically, the joy they brought to the children they met along the way.

How It Unfolds

The Departure The bears leave their Colorado home with supplies in hand, setting out to explore the world and prove that animals have human feelings. Their trek begins with lighthearted encounters with farmers and school children, setting a tone of constant, playful motion.

The Urban Gauntlet The bears navigate the complexities of city life, including hotel bellboys, department store bargains, and the dangers of electricity while riding streetcars. They handle every obstacle with a mix of curiosity and humor, frequently finding themselves in absurd situations.

High-Flying Shenanigans The middle chapters focus on grand, theatrical stunts, including the balloon flight that lands them on the Philadelphia City Hall. These moments highlight their willingness to engage with the modern, mechanical world of early twentieth-century America.

The Presidential Meeting The journey culminates in Washington, D.C., where the bears confront their fears about hunters. Instead of danger, they find a warm welcome and an invitation to breakfast, signifying their acceptance into society.

The Return The bears travel back to their mountain home to a hero’s welcome. They share their experiences and gifts, reflecting on a journey that broadened their horizons and cemented their status as the most famous bears in the land.

The People

Teddy-B serves as the primary instigator of the pair. He is the intellectual lead, often the one to pose the challenging questions in school or to devise the elaborate schemes, such as running a newspaper or orchestrating a theatrical takeover. He is driven by a desire for discovery and a need to prove that bears are capable of sophisticated, human-like activity.

Teddy-G is the more adventurous and impulsive partner. While Teddy-B plans, Teddy-G often dives into the action, whether it is jumping into water to retrieve a newsboy’s cap or handling the physical demands of their various jobs. He is motivated by the immediate joy of the experience and a hearty appetite for both fun and food.

Together, they represent the dual nature of childhood: the inquisitive mind and the restless spirit. While they face external challenges—such as angry bulls, demanding lawyers, or the threat of a "hunter" President—they are never truly defeated. They remain constant to one another, and by the end of the book, their friendship is solidified. They end their journey not as mere curiosities, but as sophisticated, worldly figures who have successfully navigated the complexities of human society without losing their bear-like zest for life.

In Its Own Voice

"I brought these bears out of their mountain den in Colorado and started them on their tour of the East to teach children that animals, even bears, may have some measure of human feeling."

The author explains the foundational purpose of his bear characters in the opening pages.

"The U. S. boys and girls are ours; They’re made of sunshine, love and flowers, We’re bound with them to scatter blues and we’re here to-day to spread the news."

Teddy-B makes this speech to a large, adoring crowd of children in Philadelphia.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the idea that the boundaries between the human and animal worlds are permeable. By placing bears in settings like schools, theaters, and the White House, the author argues for a more compassionate relationship between humans and nature. The recurring focus on educating children and "scattering the blues" positions the bears as agents of empathy. It asks the reader to look at a bear not as a terrifying creature of the woods, but as a being capable of curiosity, laughter, and friendship, ultimately suggesting that the world is a place meant for play and mutual understanding.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the whimsical, rhyming style of classic children’s literature will find much to admire here. The book captures a snapshot of early twentieth-century American optimism, and there is a genuine, infectious joy in the bears' constant desire to make others laugh. It feels like a long, rambling road trip through a bygone era, filled with the innocence of trolley rides, county fairs, and grand civic pride.

However, a modern reader should be prepared for the book's period-specific attitudes. The language often utilizes a jocular, dated dialect and reflects the colonialist and hunter-centric views common to the Teddy Roosevelt era. The pacing is episodic, and the sheer volume of "adventures" can feel repetitive to some. Yet, if one approaches the text as a historical artifact of how we once told stories to children, the warmth of the writing remains palpable. It is a gentle, earnest book that persists in its belief that kindness and curiosity are the best ways to navigate the world, a sentiment that feels as relevant today as it did a century ago.