The Berenstain Bears and Their Creators
Tuesday November 25, 2008
Can you believe 2008 is the 46th anniversary of the publication of the first Berenstain Bears book? That's right. The Big Honey Hunt was first published in 1962. Who created (and creates) the Berenstain Bears books? Why bears? Who does the writing? Who does the illustrating? My children and my grandchildren have enjoyed the Berenstain Bears books, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to interview Jan and Michael Berenstain and learn all about the Berenstain Bears and their creators. Are the Berenstain Bears popular in your family? Have you used any of their "First Time" books to prepare your children for new experiences, such as starting school or going to the dentist? Click on "comments" below and share your thoughts and recommendations.
(Photo courtesy of Michael and Jan Berenstain)
Comments
My son loved all these books, but especially those that helped nurture his sense of moderation. Still, to this day (he is almost a teenager now) he will say, “Man, that’s TOO MUCH [something]” in a really exaggerated voice and this comes from reading books like Too Much Junk Food and Too Much TV. Those lessons really last. He has applied this logic to everything in excess (like pouring too much sugar in cereal or ketchup on french fries). And if I say it, he instantly gets my point. All it takes is a simple, “Whew! That’s TOO MUCH Mario Kart today.”
I raised my kids with the Berenstain Bears stories.They were good Bears with a lot to teach.Now I lived in North Carolina in the middle of the Croatan Forest So I know how the Berenstain Bears lived.
My son can not get enough Berenstain Bears. Everything relates to them. I don’t want to think how he would have reacted to his new baby sister without the preparation these books gave him. He loves soccer because Brother loves soccer. He can even point out to me when he’s starting to get a case of the galloping, greedy gimmes. Thank you Berenstain family. You have given my son so much joy and given me a way to explain moving, new sisters, healthy eating, recycling, social skills, strangers, and so many other things to him. Thank you, thank you.
Hurrah for the Berenstains! I was raised on these books and they have an honored place in my bookshelf. . .I’m not at all surprised to see that their creators have such sweet faces!