'Martimus' polar bear

Nicknamed “Martimus,” this polar bear mount, which stands over 9 feet tall, became a perennial favorite for many visitors since it first was placed on exhibit at The Children’s Museum in 1965.

 

One of these visitors, 3-year-old Millie Stewart, sent him a letter that read: “Dear Martimus, My name is Millie and I read your book [Martimus at Midnight, a picture book published in 2006] almost every night at bedtime. I love you. I want to give you candy. I come and see you every year when I visit my Aunt Joleen and Uncle Aaron at the Childern’s [sic] Museum. I miss you. Love, Millie Stewart, 3 years old.”

 

In response, Martimus wrote: “Dear Millie, Thank you very much for your letter. It made me so happy to hear that you read my book almost every night! I like to read at bedtime too, and sometimes I act out the stories with my stuffed animal friends. I thought you might like to do that too, so here’s a polar bear puppet for you to play with while you’re reading about me! (Look how he stands on his hind legs just like me!) Thanks again for being such a wonderful friend, Millie. I miss you too and I hope to see you again next year! (P.S. My favorite candy is Swedish fish, I wish they tasted more like Swedish fish, but they’re still delicious).”