What Is DearTot?
Thoughtfully Made. Built for Childhood.
DearTot is a children's product manufacturing company based in Phoenix, Arizona, specializing in thoughtfully designed, American-made Montessori-inspired learning furniture, climbing structures, and toys.
We create products that encourage children to explore their abilities, develop independence, strengthen their confidence, and discover the world around them through purposeful play.
Our philosophy is simple: Children deserve products that are as dependable as they are imaginative.
We believe children's furniture should be more than functional. It should be an invitation to learn, an opportunity to grow, and something families can feel confident bringing into their homes.
From timeless climbing structures to new designs that encourage everyday independence, we're committed to creating products that combine quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and lasting durability.
And while DearTot is a new name, the hands and hearts behind it have been part of this story for years.
Who We Are
Meet Katie & Steve
Behind DearTot are Katie and Steve, two former craftsmen from the original Lily & River company.
Long before DearTot existed, we were part of the team responsible for bringing Lily & River's beloved Montessori-inspired furniture and toys to life. We weren't simply familiar with the products. We helped make them. We spent our days working with wood, refining designs, maintaining quality standards, and transforming raw materials into products that would become part of children's earliest adventures. We understood the care that went into every curve, every connection, and every finished piece.
More importantly, we understood why it mattered.
We saw firsthand how thoughtful craftsmanship could turn a simple piece of furniture into something meaningful: a child's first independent climb, a new accomplishment, or a favorite place to play.
Through our work, we developed a deep appreciation for the Lily & River brand, its founder's vision, and the families who trusted its products.
We weren't just building furniture.
We were helping build childhood memories.
And we loved every minute of it.
Why We Started DearTot
Some Legacies Are Worth Preserving.
When the original Lily & River company was forced to close its doors, it was heartbreaking. For us, Lily & River represented far more than a business. It represented years of dedication, craftsmanship, creativity, and a shared belief that children deserve exceptional products. We knew what the brand meant to us. And we knew it meant just as much to countless families whose little ones had grown, learned, and played with Lily & River products.
We couldn't imagine that story simply ending.
So, rather than watching a brand we loved disappear, we decided to do something about it. For more than a year, we worked toward transferring the Lily & River trademark into our own company, determined to give the brand a future. It wasn't an overnight decision or an easy process. It required patience, persistence, and an unwavering belief that what Lily & River had created was worth preserving.
Today, we're incredibly proud to say that DearTot is the new home and legal owner of the Lily & River brand. But to us, this is about more than ownership.
It's about responsibility.
We have the extraordinary opportunity to carry forward the vision established by Lily & River's founder, preserve the craftsmanship and quality that made the brand special, and build upon that foundation for generations to come.
We aren't here to replace what made Lily & River great.
We're here to protect it, celebrate it, and make it even better.
Our Mission
Preserving the Past. Building the Future.
Our mission is to create exceptional children's furniture and toys that inspire independence, encourage exploration, and support meaningful childhood development.
We are committed to preserving the beloved Lily & River designs that families have come to know and trust while introducing innovative products that meet the evolving needs of children and parents.
We believe quality should never be an afterthought. Every product we develop should reflect our commitment to thoughtful design, dependable materials, responsible manufacturing, and the kind of craftsmanship that stands the test of time.
Our goal isn't simply to make more products. It's to make products that matter.