Inspired by a 9-year-old’s coloring submission, Piece of Heart Bear officially joins the Care Bear pantheon at this year’s New York Toy Fair.
As part of their 2018 “Colors of Caring” campaign, the Care Bears™ and master toy partner, Just Play, are happy to announce the winning bear of the Create My Care Bear Contest: Piece of Heart Bear. This all-new pink bear was inspired by a belly badge design from grand-prize contest winner, nine-year-old Emma Vodenik.
Piece of Heart Bear’s quilted belly badge is made up of special fabric pieces gathered from those this endearing new bear loves the most. The sentimental pieces combine into a heart as a reminder that the bonds shared with our loved ones will always keep them close to us.
The Create My Care Bear contest kicked off during the Care Bears 35th anniversary celebration in 2017 as a way to inspire kids to use their imagination to create a new Care Bear character that would become part of the Care Bears collection. The entry form, a plain Care Bears template, was available for free online and included with the purchase of select Care Bears plush sold at Walmart, Target, Toys”R”Us, Amazon.com and other select retailers.
Piece of Heart Bear plush was displayed in Just Play’s showroom #2D 14-15 at the 2018 North American International Toy Fair in New York from February 17-20.
“We were impressed by all of the fantastic submissions that were received and are thrilled to debut Piece of Heart Bear,” said Geoffrey Greenberg, Co-President, Just Play. “Care Bears have always brought out the best in people – while celebrating empathy, kindness and inclusion – and we think the Create My Care Bear contest was a wonderful opportunity for fans to reach into their imaginations and become part of the Care Bears story.”
The contest’s grand-prize winner will receive one of the first huggable plush versions of Piece of Heart Bear, as well as a cash award of $3500. Second (Serena Keville) and third (Kaylee Clancy) place winners will win a prize of $2000 and $1000, respectively. More than 1600 entries were submitted for the contest.
“Piece of Heart Bear is a welcome addition to a brand that’s all about colors and emotion,” said Sean Gorman, President of American Greetings Entertainment. “Kudos to Emma, Serena, Kaylee and all the other kids who applied their own brilliant creativity toward helping us expand the Care Bears family.”
Care Bears mission to make the world brighter will continue throughout the year as they gift Care Bears care packages to inspire others to share and care. Learn more here: Colors of Caring 2018 Playlist.
For more information on the Care Bears, visit: www.carebears.com. Follow @CareBears on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
