Picture Book: The Berenstains' B Book

The Berenstains' B Book, A bright and Early Book, Stanley and Janice Berenstain, Random House, New York, 1971.  This is a progressive story told with B words.  It is quite ingenious and has a surprise ending.  I rather enjoy this  book.  I had a co-worker who had each page made into a poster size picture, and he enjoyed displaying it in his office.  It is no wonder.  This book is good, and the artwork matches the Berenstain's feeling.

Picture Book Review: The Bike Lesson (Berenstain Bears)

The Bike Lesson, Stan and Jan Berenstain, Random House, New York, 1964.
This is my favorite Berenstain Bear.  I love how Papa Bear gives the bike lessons, and when things go wrong he keeps saying, let that be a lesson how not to do things.  He doesn't lose a beat.  This is a common theme in the Berenstain Bear books, and they seem to have made it work.

Picture Book Review: The Bear Scouts

The Bear Scouts by Stan and Jan Berenstain, Random House, New York, 1967.
this is one of my favorite Berenstain Bear books.  I always enjoyed scouts, and these Bear Scouts make their own canoe.  This presents a common theme of the father who thinks he knows more than he does, and the Bear Scouts who pick him up because they are reading the book.  Great emotion in the pictures, especially Papa Bear.

Picture Book Review: The Big Honey Hunt, Berenstain Bears

The Big Honey Hunt by Stan and Jan Berenstain, Random House, New York, 1962.
This book carries on a common theme, the bungling Papa Bear wises up and follows Mama Bear's advice.  In this case she says get some honey from the store.  However Papa Bear wants to harvest his own in the wild, so the follow a bee through many mishaps, until they finally find the honey tree.  The bees are not so anxious to give up the honey however, so the visit the store on the way home.

Picture Book Review: The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone

Here is another Berenstain Detective book, however in this case, one of the detective team actually likes bones.  The hound leads them on a wild chase, until the bears notice a mound in the ground.  This book is cute the way they take artifacts and make them bearish; such as Queen Elizabear, Balck Bear the Pirate and Wild Bear Hickock.

Picture Book: The Bear Detectives: The Case of the Missing Pumpkins

The Bear Detectives: The Case of the Missing Pumpkin by Stan and Jan Berenstain, Random House, New York,, 1975.
This book explores the right way to investigate, and the wrong.  When Farmer Ben discovers his prize winning pumpkin is missing, the Bear detectives and father Bear take on the case.  father Bear seems to lead them astray, but the Berenstain Bears follow the clues.

Children's Book Review: The Berenstain Bears: We Like Kites

The Berenstain Bears: We Like Kites by the Berenstains, Random House, New York, 2004, in Tales from Bear Country 2011.


This is a rhyming and picture book telling of a day kite flying.   I like the different kites; dragon, cat, bat, happy face etc.  This story reminds us there is always another day.

Children's Book Review: The Berenstain Bears Ride the Thunderbolt

The Berenstain Bears Ride the Thunderbolt, The Berenstains, Random House, New York, 1998, in Tales From Bear Country, 2011.

In this case the Thunderbolt is a roller coaster.  This story has basic words, and is considered a first level reader.  It tells the story more with pictures.  And of course after spinning, and going upside down, all the Bears go again, except Papa Bear.  I like the way Papa Bear has a green face, it lets us know quickly his tumble is rumbly.  I usually avoid roller coaster myself.

Picture Book Review: The Berenstain Bears Go Up and Down

The Berenstain Bears Go Up and Down by the Berstains, Random House, New York, 1999, in Tales from Bear Country, 2011.

Not much plot to this book, just bears going up and down the escalator.  This is a level I easy reader book.

Children's Book Review: The Berenstain Bears Catch the Bus

The Berenstain Bears Catch the Bus, The Berenstains, Random House, New York, 1999.
This book reminds me of our family when we were young  In this book the bus comes at 7, and Brother and Sister Bear are still sleeping at 10 minutes to.  Just like I could never believe how we made it, they did.  

Picture Book Review: By the Sea, Berenstain Bears

By the Sea: Tales from Bear Country: The Berenstains, Random House, New York, 1998 (republished 2011)

The Berenstain Bears are ready for a vacation, but when they arrive at the beach mother has some cleaning plans for the kids, rather than heading directly for the sea.  There is sand to sweep out of the beach house, and things to unpack, and beds to make, and walks to rake, and closets to clean, and food to eat, and, and....  Will the bears ever make it to the water.  Yes they will, and it is worth the wait.
The art is again consistent through the Berenstain world.  And the story makes a pretty good rhyme.

Picture Book Review: Big Bear, Small Bear

Big Bear, Small Bear from Tales form Bear Country: The Berenstains, Random House, New York, 1998 (republished 2011)


This is an introductory to the Berenstain Bears, and also an introduction to reading.  This simple book has very few words but it is big on bear pictures.  I read it to my granddaughter and it kept her entertained.  The contrast in sizes is very interesting, especially since everything gets backwards, big hat on small bear and small hat on big bear etc.  This is a very good read to the kids book, but also a beginner reading book.

Book review: Old Hat New Hat (Berenstain Bears)

Old Hat New hat, by Stan and Jan Berenstain, Bright and Early Book, random House Publishing, New York, 1970.
This is a cute little book about buying a new hat.  Sometimes we get tired of old things, but then again sometimes old things are the most comfortable.  The many different types of hats are very creative.