The Berenstain Bears Don’t Pollute (Anymore)
By Stan & Jan Berenstain
Published 1991. The next few weeks will be 100% Berenstain Bears focused as my library had a very well loved and huge selection of Berenstain Bear’s books. I grew up being read these books so they are very nostalgic for me, I think the color style of these books are very influencial in my own choices and taste in color. In general I love the artwork and going forward I will keep my thoughts on the artwork specific to certain elements since overall the Berenstain Bear books are fairly consistent in style and the way they are depicted. I love the style overall and it can’t be said enough on how influential it’s design has been with me and how it inspired a love of picture books in me.
“It looked fine from the Bear family’s front stoop. It looked even better if you had a bird’s-eye view while flying high above the earth.”
I don’t recall this book, but it so elegantly and succinctly tells a beautiful story on pollution and showcasing the empathy we should have and understanding to think about how our actions affect others, especially in regard to pollution. The text was a bit wordy and at time a little preachy, but I still loved it and it was packed with information that I felt stands the test of time.
The Berenstain Bears Bedtime Battle
By Stan & Jan Berenstain Published 2005.
“Because the great bedtime battle was about to begin!”
As an only child there were never really battles for space and time as unless unfortunate timing struck things were, as I remember, smooth. I do enjoy this story because I feel the realism in the characters, there are distinct personalities and they both work with and against each other that gives the story a sense of ‘realness’. I remember this for many of the Berenstain Bear books, but I always enjoyed its ability to show its readers ‘big’ words that may cause a kid, or even and adult, to question or look up a word or too. I think this story captures the moment and chaotic energy of a full house and the many problems that can arise when living with others, I know I encountered a few of these issues with roommates in college even, a story for any stage of life. I won’t spoil the ending but it’s very sweet and to me happily unexpected.
The Berenstain Bears and the Bully
By Stan & Jan Berenstain
Published 1993. What a ride of a story and maybe a product of its time, I was a bit shocked by where the story took me. I think the ending could’ve been a bit better as it felt rushed and that would’ve made its moral a lot stronger, in its current state it feels a bit lost in its overall story. I do appreciate the stories rawness and ability to respect the reader by telling a story that isn’t sugar coated and the characters may not make the perfect choice. A better ending would’ve enhanced that even more.
The Berenstain Bears and the Excuse Note
By Stan & Jan Berenstain
Published 2001. Simple sweet story, that goes the way you expected it too. I like how it ended with the eventual embracing of gym, but I felt it could’ve been a bit more realistic as the Sister kind of immediately ‘likes’ gym right after Mama gives her a lecture.
The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream
By Stan & Jan Berenstain
Published 1988. I immediately loved the cover of this story and the very creative designs throughout; the drawings stand out overall in this book. The first spread does a wonderful job of setting up the story, it is so simple and effective and really gives us an understanding of these characters in a swift spread. The story caught me by surprise on who would have the bad dream, I felt it was a fun simple story, maybe the story could’ve used a bit more in the end of ‘how’ to address bad dreams but I think this was a good introduction to them and allows a child to relate and understand them better just by experiencing them in story.
Thank you,
Caleb
