Children’s Book and Toy Review : Finding You Bear & Book Bundle*

[Ad-gifted] The Finding You Bear & Book Bundle from Blue Bear & Co. combines a beautifully illustrated children’s picture book with a soft plush teddy bear, bringing the story to life long after the final page has been turned. The bundle includes a copy of Finding You and a Dark Blue Bear, the main character from the story, making it a lovely keepsake gift for young readers. The story follows Blue Bear’s journey to find a forever home, exploring themes of courage, hope, resilience and belonging.

Created by Blue Bear & Co founder Nici Robinson and illustrated by Lori Shaw, the bundle has been designed to offer comfort, connection and imaginative play, with the story and teddy working together to create a more immersive reading experience.

What we thought of the Finding You Bear and Book Bundle?

The excitement started before we had even opened the bundle. Jemma was immediately intrigued by the beautiful presentation, with the bear arriving in its own drawstring bag and sturdy cardboard tube. It felt much more like opening a special gift than receiving a book and toy.

One of Jemma’s favourite surprises was discovering a personalised note from author Nici Robinson inside the book. As a young reader, seeing her own name written by the author made the book feel extra special and helped create a personal connection with the story from the very beginning.

As soon as she took the Dark Blue Bear out of its bag, Jemma couldn’t stop cuddling her (all toys are girls in our household!). The bear’s fur is incredibly soft, and she spent most of the story stroking her while we read together.

The quality of the bear is excellent, and it as quickly become one of her favourite cuddly toys. Jemma treated the bear to a teddy bears picnic!

What makes Blue Bear particularly unique is the story behind its creation. Author and Blue Bear & Co. founder Nici Robinson created the bear in memory of her son, Charlie. After losing him, she searched for a teddy bear that was precious enough to hold a voice recording, a heartbeat and a familiar scent that reminded her of him. Unable to find anything that offered all of these things together, and despite having never sewn before, she decided to create one herself.

From those beginnings, Blue Bear became far more than a toy. It became a source of comfort, meaning and emotional support, designed to help people feel connected to precious memories and loved ones. While Blue Bear was born from grief, the company itself is built around bringing joy, warmth and hope into people’s lives.

I think what makes Blue Bear special is that it can mean different things to different people. For some, it may become a treasured keepsake marking an important life event. For others, it may simply be a much-loved teddy who provides comfort at bedtime.

The story itself is beautifully illustrated and follows Blue Bear on a heartwarming journey. What Jemma loved most was that the bear sitting in her arms was the very same character featured in the book. Having the character brought to life in toy form made the story feel much more real and engaging for her.

As we read, Jemma began imagining that the little girl in the story was actually her. She loved placing herself into the adventure and talking about what she would do if she met Blue Bear. It was lovely to see how easily the story captured her imagination and encouraged her to become part of the narrative. Jemma has experienced her own losses which made the story meaningful.

The combination of the book and bear works wonderfully together, extending the story beyond the pages and into imaginative play. Long after we had finished reading, Jemma was still creating her own adventures for Blue Bear, which is always a sign that a story has truly connected with a child.

This is a beautifully presented gift set that combines a touching story with a high-quality keepsake teddy bear. It would make a wonderful present for any child who enjoys cuddly companions and stories that spark the imagination.

Where can you buy the Finding You Bear & Book Bundle

The Finding You Bear & Book Bundle is available directly from Blue Bear & Co. and is priced at £45.

About the author

Nici Robinson is the founder of Blue Bear & Co. and the author of Finding You. The story was inspired by the company’s Dark Blue Bear character and explores themes of courage, strength, hope and resilience through an engaging adventure. The book was illustrated by Lori Shaw.

About the Book and Toy

Title: Finding You
Author: Nici Robinson
Illustrator: Lori Shaw
Publisher: Blue Bear & Co.

Toy: Dark Blue Bear
Suitable for: Ages 3+

Review by Danielle Booker

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*Disclaimer:  We were sent a copy of the book for free in return for a review. All opinions are our own.