The Tangerine Bear facts for kids

The Tangerine Bear is a fun animated movie made for kids. It came out on November 11, 2000. Bert Ring directed this heartwarming story. Famous voices like Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Jenna Elfman bring the characters to life. The story is told and sung by country singer Trisha Yearwood. This film teaches us that being different can be truly special.

The Story of Tangie the Bear

This movie is about a teddy bear who has a bit of a problem. He is being made in a toy factory. A playful mouse accidentally bumps him. This causes his mouth to be sewn upside-down. So, he has a frown instead of a smile. All his bear brothers and sisters have happy smiles.

Life at Krolls' Department Store

The bears are all sent to Krolls' Department Store. Our special bear feels sad when all the other bears are bought. He doesn't know why no one wants him. He doesn't realize he looks different.

Finding New Friends

Soon, the frowning bear is put in the store's discount box. Here, he meets a blue monkey named Louie Blue. He also meets a pull-string doll named Dolly. Louie and Dolly are soon bought. Then, our bear is moved again. He ends up in a chest full of old, broken toys. This chest is taken to a small antique shop. It is called Winkle's Imporium.

The owner, Mr. Winkle (Tom Bosley), notices the bear. He places him in his shop window. The bear now has new friends. There is Bird (David Hyde Pierce), a cuckoo clock who is afraid to go outside. There is Lorelei (Jenna Elfman), a beautiful mermaid clock. And there is Jack (Howie Mandel), a jack-in-the-box who doesn't like small spaces.

Becoming "Tangie"

The bear's new friends warn him about Mr. Winkle's dog, Virgil (Jon Polito). Virgil is not very friendly. The bear wants a chair to sit on. He hopes it will help someone notice him. He carefully climbs down from the display. But Virgil chases him, making a big mess. Mr. Winkle finds the bear. He gives him a tiny chair for the window display.

As time passes, the sun shines on the bear. His fur slowly turns orange. It becomes the color of a tangerine! From that day on, everyone calls him "Tangie."

A Christmas Adventure

One day, Virgil the dog escapes. He runs off with a group of other dogs. Mr. Winkle is happy because he sells Lorelei. It's his first sale in a long time. But he worries about Virgil. When Mr. Winkle goes to sleep, Tangie, Bird, and Jack see Virgil. He is outside, freezing in the snow. At first, Bird and Jack don't want to help. But Tangie convinces them. They rescue Virgil. After that, Virgil becomes a loyal friend to them.

It's Christmas time again. Tangie and Virgil help Bird and Jack decorate the window. They put up Christmas ornaments and lights. Virgil takes his friends for a wagon ride. They want to see the Christmas lights on River Street. But on the way back, Tangie falls off the wagon. He is lost!

Tangie tries to get back to Winkle's through the snow. Suddenly, someone picks him up. Tangie thinks it's Santa Claus. He believes he is finally going to a loving home. But it's actually Mr. Winkle. He was dressed up like Santa. He takes Tangie back to the shop. Tangie and his friends are disappointed.

Home is Where the Heart Is

The next day, a man comes to the shop. He tells Mr. Winkle he got lost in the snowstorm. The man sees Jack and Tangie. He likes them because they are unusual. He offers Mr. Winkle $200 for them. But Mr. Winkle quickly says no. He tells the man that Jack and Tangie are not for sale. He says they are "his only family."

Tangie then realizes something important. He loves being at "home" with his wonderful family. He learns that being different makes each of us special.

Meet the Voices

Here are some of the talented actors who gave voices to the characters:

• Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Tangie, the special bear
• Jenna Elfman as Lorelei, the mermaid clock
• Howie Mandel as Jack, the jack-in-the-box
• David Hyde Pierce as Bird, the cuckoo clock
• Tom Bosley as Mr. Winkle, the kind shop owner
• Jon Polito as Virgil, the dog
• Trisha Yearwood as the Narrator
• David Lander as Theodore and the Store Clerk
• Marlon Wayans as Louie Blue, the blue monkey

Songs from the Movie

The movie features some lovely songs:

• "Looking for a Place to Belong" - Sung by Trisha Yearwood
• "We Gotta Get Sold, We Gotta Get Bought" - Sung by The Bears
• "Whatever Happened to My Smile" - Sung by Amick Byram
• "Oh Getting Ready for Christmas Day" - Sung by Trisha Yearwood