Celebrating 50 years for Berenstain Bears with two inspiring books for young Christian readers (book review)

The Berenstain Bears Present Two New Inspiring Books for Young Christian Readers in Time for the Bear’s 50^th Anniversary

Just in time to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of America’s favorite Bear family, comes two new and inspiring books from the Berenstain Bears® Living Lights™/I Can Read!™ series by Jan and Mike Berenstain.

 

Emphasizing strong Christan values for children, THE BERENSTAIN BEARS FAITH GETS US THROUGH and THE BERENSTAIN BEARS GOD MADE THE SEASONS (Zonderkidz; August 2012; $3.99 each) revisit classic tales using I Can Read! Level 1 simple text, designed for new readers.

Based on the 1993 Berenstain Bears book, Spooky Shadows, FAITH GETS US THROUGH follows the Bear Scouts, who are eager to earn new Merit Badges. But first they must complete a hike through Spooky Cave. With Papa Bear as their guide, Brother, Sister, and their cousin, Fred, embark on a daunting journey, stumbling upon mountain goats, stalactites, stalagmites, and a ferocious stream. When the bears lose their way, they must rely on Papa’s knowledge of caves, and their faith, to guide them to safety. 

My review:
Faith Gets Us Through begins with a Bible verse, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me." (Psalm 23:4)  In true Berenstain fashion, Papa Bear always has all the answers, but sometimes gets ahead of himself causing some fun adventure!  However, I was really impressed with all the different things the bears learned in this cave journey that were educational.  With light hearted humor, the Berenstain bears deliver an informational new book for young readers with great advice that will draw the reader to reach out to One who truly loves and protects. 

The Bears reminisce over winter, spring, summer, and fall in the colorful book GOD MADE THE SEASONS, inspired by the 1992 story, All Year ‘Round. With playful seasonal imagery and lyrical rhyme, each page is packed with nostaglic illustrations of ice skating, bike riding, swimming, and beautiful autumn foliage.

Ideal for bedtime stories and Sunday School, both early reader books evoke the classic stories using the original vibrant artwork by Stan and Jan Berenstain, while emphasizing a fresh Christian message that will appeal to Berenstain Bear fans everywhere. 

My review:  
God Made the Seasons is a sweet rhyming book that shares all the great things to do in each season of the year.  Young readers will be thrilled to follow Brother and Sister Bear in their silly antics and watch how God uses nature to teach more about who He is!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear books in 1962. Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Since the late 80s, he has been very much involved as a writer and illustrator with his family’s creation, the Berenstain Bears. He continued to work with his mother, Jan, creating new books up until her death this year. The antics and activities of Mike’s three children have provided inspiration for many Berenstain Bears books over the years. Though Stan and Jan passed away in 2005 and 2012, respectively, Mike continues to create the delightful Bear adventures from a studio in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks much like the sunny dirt road deep in Bear Country. www.berenstainbears.com

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Zonderkidz™, a division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning Bibles, books, board books, graphic novels, audio, video and digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader’s Version) Bible translation, the 3^rd-grade reading level edition of the NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at www.zonderkidz.com.

Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources authored by influential leaders and emerging voices and has been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. 

*I was given a complimentary copy of these books for my review.  All opinions are my own.*