The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find by Jan & Mike Berenstain | Children's Book Review

The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible

Search and Find

Jan & Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction ages 3-6

Explore favorite Bible stories in a fun and interactive way with The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find.. Young readers will find carefully hidden objects in these scenes from familiar Old and New Testament stories, such as Noah and the ark. Jesus's birth, and the Last Supper--all while strengthening early reading and math skills, including attention to detail, concentration, and counting.

My Thoughts

My grandkids love to do search and find activities. The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find gives even the youngest the opportunity to work on these skills. What I really like about this book is that it has lots of learning activities that also include the central parts of the Bible.

The first search activity is all about the Creation story. There's a short little reading that introduces where our story begins. Then there are about a dozen different objects to find. 

I am thrilled that this is a board book which makes it sturdy for those sweet little hands to enjoy over and over. It also holds up to being thrown in a backpack for those car trips and waiting rooms. 

I recommend this book to anyone that has littles in their lives. It would be a great gift or addition to your child's personal library. 

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

 

The Berenstain Bears School Days Collection by Jan & Mike Berenstain | Juvenile Fiction Review

 

The Berenstain Bears School Days Collection

Jan & Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction

Head back to school with the Berenstain Bears! Young readers will enjoy the stories, activities, stickers, and recipes in The Berenstain Bears School Days Collection, an addition to the Living Lights™ series of The Berenstain Bears books. With stories about starting school, new students, rumors and gossip, and settling disagreements, this treasury is perfect for children beginning a new school year or right in the middle of one.

My Thoughts

It's back to school time around here and probably where you are too. One of the books that we've added to our home library this year is The Berenstain Bears School Days Collection. It's made up of six previously released books but bound all together into one. Let me first tell you what the titles are. 

• The Berenstain Bears School Time Blessings
• The Berenstain Bears Stand Up to Bullying
• The Berenstain Bears The Truth About Gossip
• The Berenstain Bears Blessed are the Peacemakers
• The Berenstain Bears Bear Country Fun Sticker & Activity Book
• The Berenstain Bears Country Cookbook

The individual stories are a great way to remind our kiddos how to treat others. The activity book includes stickers and areas for your children to write in answers. Our favorite part is the cookbook. The recipes included are kid friendly. They are easy to make and consist of foods that most kids will eat. 

This book would be a great back to school gift or one for your personal home library. Or even a nice classroom gift for your child's school.

The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling by Mike Berenstain | Juvenile Fiction Review

The Berenstain Bears

Go Christmas Caroling

Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction/Christmas

Gather you family together and join in as Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear venture out together in the snowy, cold night and go door to door in Bear Country singing Christmas carols.

The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling also includes 4 postcards and a holiday door hanger!

In The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling, the whole Bear family is invited by the Bear Country Carolers for a round of Christmas Eve celebrations … and your whole family is invited to sing along!

This fun new book in the popular Zonderkidz Living Lights: A Faith Story series—beloved by parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren alike—will earn a quick spot on your child’s bookshelf. You and your children will want to read and sing along together again and again as the kid-friendly text and easy-to-read, easy-to-remember song lyrics teach valuable life lessons, encourage discussion, and take you down memory lane with each subsequent reading. The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling also includes 4 punch-out postcards and a festive holiday door hanger!

My Thoughts

Christmas caroling has long been one of our favorite holiday activities. This season we can ride along with the Bear family as they venture out to their friends and neighbors to share the joy of the Christmas season. 

This adorable book contains several well-known carols that will have you and your children singing along as you read the story to them. (How in the world could you really just read the lyrics to Jingle Bells without singing along?) The story contains snow, sleigh rides, and of course a warm treat to thaw the frozen carolers out. And then it all culminates at the Chapel in the Woods for the Christmas Eve service. So much fun!

There are also some extras that will enhance your fun. There is a door hanger to leave on a favorite neighbor's porch. There are also four postcards that can be sent to loved ones too far away to go caroling. And there's a fun word search puzzle in the back. 

We were excited to add this title to our Christmas book rotation. It's sure to be a delight in our house for years to come.

Disclosure Statement

I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. 

The Berenstain Bears Hugs and Kisses Sticker & Activity Book | Juvenile Fiction Review

The Berenstain Bears Hugs and Kisses

Sticker & Activity Book

Jan & Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction (ages 4-8)

Looking for hours of fun, wholesome entertainment for your kids? Look no further! Celebrate Valentine's Day and every day with Papa, Mama, Brother, Sister, Honey Bear, and the rest of the Bear Country gang. Puzzles, activity pages, more than 50 reusable stickers, and a whole lot more provide the kind of creative and interactive fun your kids crave.

My Thoughts

Valentine's Day tends to be all about the candy! Don't get me wrong I enjoy candy as much as anyone but a kid on a sugar-high tends to come crashing down and it's rarely a pretty thing. With that in mind I try to send my grands something to balance out the candy. This year it's The Berenstain Bears Hugs and Kisses Sticker & Activity Book.

In my opinion you can't go wrong with the whole gang from Bear Country. They are so lovable and gently teach our kids important life lessons. This sticker and activity book does that with a little twist. It is filled with all kinds of activities like fill-in-the-blank, find an item, mazes, stories, pages to color, and stickers to stick. 

The nice thing is that it provides lots of quiet time activity that allows the kids to ponder the lessons and the mommas to have a couple of minutes of peace. (That scores me extra bonus points as the granny!) 

The age recommendation is 4-8 and that seems about right. I have two grands that are younger than that and one that is older but I am giving it to them all. I don't expect the two-year-olds to understand it but I know that they will enjoy coloring the pictures and sticking the stickers all over the place. The almost ten-year-old is getting one too because I think she'll still enjoy it and she'd feel left out if everyone else got a copy but her. If you're looking for a fun supplement to your Valentine's Day celebration I would recommend you consider this adorable resource.

The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel by Mike Berenstain | Children's Book Review

The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel

Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction/Christmas

It is almost Christmas and there is finally snow in Bear Country. Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear are ready to build a snowbear . . . until Honey Bear's snow angel gives the cubs a better idea. As they warm up later with some hot cocoa. Mama and Papa give the cubs a little lesson about some very special angels and the work they do for God.

My Thoughts
I love a good children's book that entertains with an engaging story but also has teaching elements for further discussion. That's exactly what you get with The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel. 
Snow has finally come to Bear Country and like all kids the Bear cubs are anxious to get out there and experience it for themselves. Once outside they decide they want to build a snow bear. But after some discussion the idea morphs into a snow angel. Soon they head inside to warm up and enjoy some hot cocoa.
As they are admiring their creation through the window Mama Bear takes the opportunity to tell her cubs about the appearance of angels at the birth of Christ. That Mama Bear is a smart one! 
This book would be perfect this Christmas season for showing your kids that we can have fun and keep things Christ centered. Not only does the story itself reference several instances of angels appearing but there is also a section on the back cover that lists six additional appearances of angels in the Bible.
I recommend this book to anyone that is looking to keep your celebrations Christ centered this year. It is a short read but sure to delight the whole family with the discussions that will come from the topic.
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The Berenstain Bears School Time Blessings by Mike Berenstain | Children's Book Review

The Berenstain Bears School Time Blessings

Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction (ages 4-8)

It's time for school! Brother and Sister are ready to get busy with all of the things they enjoy about school--but they are nervous about challenges like math and history class. And Honey Bear will be going to nursery school for the first time. Will the cubs be too nervous to do their very best or will they remember that prayer and God's love are always there to guide them no matter how big the challenge?

My Thoughts
The lazy days of summer are coming to an end and for the Bear family that means a new school year is about to begin. And with this new academic term comes changes. Honey Bear is old enough to start nursery school. She's excited but a bit nervous as well.
The anxiety isn't limited to Honey Bear. Brother and Sister Bear have their own set of worries. Will the classes be too hard? Will Honey be able to be away from her parents all day? Mama and Papa Bear assure them that all will be well by pointing them to Scripture. 

"As it says in the Bible," said Mama, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.'"

"That's Psalm 34:4," said Papa.

The next day was the first day of school which brought about a lot of initial excitement. Eventually worry and anxiety began to creep in. After school the kids settled down to do their homework. The unease from earlier returned and Papa Bear noticed.

"I know schoolwork can be tough," he said. "But remember, you can turn to God for strength and guidance. Let's pray together."

I don't think there is a Berenstain Bears book that I don't like. But this book, School Time Blessings, has to be one of my new favorites. Common fears that are contained in a new school year are addressed and Scripture is used to calm those fears! What better way can we arm our children to face what lies ahead of them?

If you've got a kiddo that's about to embark on a new school year this would be a great story to read to them. You can then discuss with them what some of their concerns for the new year may be. I look forward to reading it with my grands that are about to start a new year of learning!

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The Berenstain Bears' Easter Blessings by Mike Berenstain {Children's Book Review}

The Berenstain Bears' Easter Blessings

Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction (ages 2-5)

An engaging lesson from the iconic Bear family about the true blessing of Easter—the Resurrection of Jesus.

In The Berenstain Bears' Easter Blessings, the cubs learn about the many blessings in their lives, and especially the greatest blessing of all—the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter. The short, simple story and well-loved characters provide toddlers with a perfect introduction to this very important Christian holiday.

My Thoughts

What Easter basket would be complete without a new Berenstain Bears book? Mike Berenstain continues his parents tradition of putting out an adorable book that gently lets us explore the Easter holiday with out little ones.

In The Berenstain Bears' Easter Blessings we meet up with our favorite Bear family on Easter morning. We start out with family breakfast and then the grandparents arrive with Easter baskets. After a little reminder that the baskets are for after church the whole family ventures out to partake in the Easter celebration at Chapel in the Woods.

Throughout the book little ones are reminded to give thanks for the blessings all around them. While the story of Christ's crucifixion isn't discussed it is pointed out that Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. This is a book intended for 2 to 5 year-olds so it is intended as a conversation starter for parents to introduce all that went on during Christ's last days as it becomes appropriate for the child's development stage.

As with all of the Berenstain Bears' books this one is adorable and sure to be read over and over. I recommend it for all the little ones at your Easter celebrations.

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.

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The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones by Jan & Mike Berenstain {Children's Book Review}

The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones

Jan & Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Nonfiction

The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Toddlers is perfect for young children. Now toddlers have a padded board book edition designed just for them, with simple text, bright art, and a padded cover. This cute and durable edition provides an overview of the Bible with ten stories from the Old and New Testaments that follow the Bear family as they explore Scripture. The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Toddlers is fun and enlightening for kids and a great resource for parents and educators.

My Thoughts
We're big on the bears around here. Make that the Berenstain Bears! I enjoyed raising my kids on their delightful stories and now it is such a delight to share them with my grandkids. The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones is based on the original The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible but it is trimmed down to fit the attention span of littler ones. The adorable creatures from Bear Country act out ten different stories from the Old and New Testament. It begins with Creation and then moves on to Noah building the ark. After that is David meeting Goliath in an epic showdown. Then we venture with Daniel into the lion's den. Our stories continue on into the New Testament with the birth of Christ. The next story is from Luke chapter 10 and teaches us about being a good neighbor. From there we fast forward to Palm Sunday and go with Jesus as He makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem where He will later be crucified. But fear not because the last story reminds us that He Is Risen! I like the padded board book style for those chubby little hands of my grands. It makes the book so much more durable and allows them to pour over the contents again and again without worrying about damaging the pages. It is also compact enough to take on a car trip or tuck in a purse for a waiting room distraction. If you have little ones this would be the perfect addition for their growing library. Connect With The Authors

Photo Credit: The Associated Press

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The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country by Mike Berenstain ~ Children's Book Review

The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country

Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction (ages 4-8)

“You are the light of the world. 

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

(Matthew 5:14 NIV)

In the newest Berenstain Bear Living Lights title, the glorious fourth has arrived and the Bear family is busy decorating with flags and bunting. Brother, Sister and Honey are anticipating the big parade and all the fireworks but aren’t really thinking about the true meaning of the day.

But Mama and Papa make sure the cubs know just how much Bear Country is blessed with a quick lesson about the first Fourth of July.

Features 12 full-color stickers.

The cubs were going to ride their bikes in the parade. They were decorating them with red, white, and blue ribbons and streamers. Prizes would be awarded for the most patriotic-looking bikes.
Best of all, there were fireworks after the parade. (pg. 4)

My Thoughts

If you've ever been privileged enough to be a part of a small town Fourth of July celebration then you are going to enjoy sharing this book with your littles. The lovable Berenstain Bear family is back and they are about to celebrate America's birthday with their friends and neighbors. 

A celebration in Bear Country wouldn't be complete without food and festivities. As the family prepares for the parade by decorating their bikes and trying on old military uniforms a wonderful discussion ensues about the birth of America. When Sister asks "You mean countries are born like babies?" Papa gives a recap of how our beloved country was started and the sacrifices made by brave men and women.

As the Fourth quickly approaches I urge you to read this book with your kiddos and then take it a step further and find a celebration near you. Everyone needs to experience a small town Fourth of July celebration. Parades, pie eating contests, cake walks, potato sack races and then the grand finale . . . fireworks! Our freedom was hard fought and won. Go enjoy it!

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The Berenstain Bears Keep the Faith by Mike Berenstain ~ A Children's Book Review

The Berenstain Bears Keep The Faith

Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction

About the book:

Brother and Sister Bear's friend Ferdy Factual loves science. Brother and Sister like science too. But when Ferdy tells Brother and Sister he doesn't believe God created the world, the bear cubs don't know what to think. What does it really mean to have "faith" in something you can't see?

My thoughts:

The adorable Berenstain Bear family is back and they are talking about faith. Brother and Sister Bear have a friend named Ferdy Factual. Ferdy loves everything about science. In fact he puts his faith in science rather than God, who he doesn't believe in. This is very perplexing to the young cubs and causes them to wonder what faith is.

Through some conversations with their parents and their pastor the cubs begin to explore what exactly faith is. The story uses Daniel and the Lions Den as an example of having faith in a God you cannot see.

I think you will enjoy reading this with your kiddos and discussing what having faith in God means. It is a great tool to begin a conversation that will lead to a deeper understanding of faith for your children. In the back of the book is a list of resource to use for discussion questions and suggested activities to help instill the truths that were presented.

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