Stella, a young Japanese-American girl, loves to collect teddy bears. But when she is reminded by her mother that she has an essay to write, Stella refuses to take time out to do her homework. She would rather play teddy bear tea party with her bears or watch her favorite show.

After a bout of writer's block, she asks her mother to take her to see Grandma Yumi, where her grandmother's creativity as an artist teddy bearmaker inspires Stella to write about her grandma's accomplishments, and why teddy bears are so endearing and lovable to this day.