The Berenstain Bears' Harvest Festival by Mike Berenstain {Children's Book Review}

The Berenstain Bears' Harvest Festival

Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction

Autumn is a beautiful time of year, and the folks of Bear Country are looking forward to everything the season brings. So when the Chapel in the Woods holds its first ever Harvest Festival, people gather at Farmer Ben's for a wonderful time of family, friends, fun, and praising God for his gifts.

My Thoughts
Around here the weather has started to have a crispness to it and the leaves are just beginning to hint at the colors to come. With these changes come the many fall festivals that we love to attend as a family.
Our family isn't the only one that loves a good harvest festival. The residents of Bear Country are eagerly anticipating the first ever Chapel in the Woods Harvest Festival at Farmer Ben's farm. We meet up with the Berenstain Bear family as Mama and Papa are readying their yard for a winter's rest. Papa mentions the Harvest Festival and the whole family decides to attend.
Along the way it is mentioned that "mother nature puts on her best clothes and dishes up her finest food." At first this little phrase made me cringe. But in the next pages the following exchange takes place between the Bear family:

"Would you say mother nature is putting on a good show for us?" said Brother, kicking up a drift of leaves.

"Well," said Mama, pointing to the heavens, "you know mother nature works for someone a bit higher up."

"Yes," agreed Papa. "And harvest time is about much more than just enjoying the season. It is a time to give thanks to God for all his blessings--for the food that grows in his good, rich earth and for the wonders of nature that he has created." (pg. 10)

I appreciated the follow-up that pointed out the true Creator. I'm still not thrilled with the "mother nature" reference but not enough to pass on the book.

Once the Bear family arrives at Farmer Ben's they participate in apple picking and pumpkin picking and then a hay ride. At the end of the day there is a feast for the entire community where Preacher Brown gives a wonderful prayer about celebrating the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops that have been sown.

This newest Berenstain Bears' book is a good one to add to your family library for fall reading.

Connect With The Author