Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Berenstain Bears Storybook Treasury


     Featuring six stories from the popular and beloved bear family from authors Jan and Stan Berenstain, The Berenstain Bears Storybook Treasury is the perfect collection for reading aloud or curling up and reading with your little one. Follow along as Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey Bear adopt a new puppy, learn about the importance of responsibilities, wish upon a star, take a trip, explore the seashore and stay home from school due to illness.

      The first story in the collection, The Berenstain Bears’ New Pup, gently touches on all of the 'puppy' raising issues. Little Lady leaves a puddle in one corner, and a ‘present’ in another. I so appreciated the fact that the illustration alongside this  story  shows Sister and Brother Bear cleaning up Little Lady’s ‘present’ and not Momma and/or Papa Bear. This is a perfect tale to read if your family is deciding on adopting a dog.
     The Berenstain Bears and the Wishing Star provides your budding reader with a very clear lesson on wishing. When Sister Bear wishes for a teddy bear, she is delighted to see that her wish comes true.  However, when she starts to get greedy with her wishes, Brother Bear reminds her of the magic of wishing stars, and the dangers of being greedy.

      The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Chores gives a wonderful example of what happens when people don’t want to do their chores around the house (sounds familiar here in Momma’s household!).   In the beginning, Brother and Sister Bear try to find ways to get out of doing their chores, and so does Papa Bear (he doesn't want to mow the lawn because a mama spider just got finished making a web on his lawnmower!) and together, the trio make up all sorts of excuses as to why they cannot do them.  Mama Bear then decides that instead of hearing all the bickering, arguing and excuse making, it would just be easier if she did them herself. However, she eventually gives in to her family when they ask to stop doing chores. Mama starts her gardening and quilting clubs again and the treehouse falls into a total mess.  This tale clearly provides a spotlight on how important following through our responsibilities are not only to us but to our family members.

     All of the tales in this collection have engaging storylines and each page has beautiful, vivid full-color illustrations. Each of the stories contain simple sentences that your beginning and/or intermediate readers will be able to read aloud with you. Most importantly, I have always appreciated the fact that each sweet, simple Berenstain tale manages to teach young children very valuable lessons in life. 


The Berenstain Bears Storybook Treasury

Written and Illustrated by Jan & Stan Berenstain with Mike Berenstain

Publisher: Harper Festival (2005)

ISBN: 978-0-06-212014-4

$11.99

For Ages 4 thru 8

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.