I grew up reading the Berenstain Bears books...they were some of my favorite books. The Berenstain Bears franchise started in 1962 and has over 300 titles with 260 million copies sold in 23 languages. The creators of the books Stan and Jan Berenstain have both passed away, but their son Mike Berenstain has continued their legacy and is continuing to write and illustrate wholesome children's books that I can now share with my own children.
A moms review:
We received a copy of The Biggest Brag to review. This paperback book is the newest addition to the Berenstain Bears Living Lights series which teaches children simple Christian values, morals and truths. The book is 24 pages long and geared toward children ages 4-8 years old.
In the story Brother and Sister Bear learn a valuable lesson about bragging and boasting from Grizzly Gramps. The story begins with Brother and Sister Bear listing all the things they are good at and how proud they are of all their hard work and effort. Mother and Father Bear explain to the cubs that they need to stop their bragging and boasting because they are both very talented and it is not a kind and loving thing to do. Papa and Mama remind the cubs about what the Bible says, "It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud," But that doesn't stop the cubs.
The next day they stop at the park to rest and lay down on a grassy hill to do some cloud watching. And before they know it they are in a silly contest arguing and boasting over who can spot the best and most exciting pictures in the clouds. Gramps overhears them and decides to intervene. He gently explains to the children that their bragging is foolish and not something they should be proud of. That being proud of a special talent is one thing, but bragging about a talent is foolish. Then he reminds them of what the bible says, "Where there is strife, there is pride." He then invites the children to his house for a game of checkers and some milk and cookies. Bad habits are hard to break so of course the cubs immediately start bragging about who will win...until Gramps reminds them yet again of their promise to not brag and boast. The cubs apologize and walk down the hill to Gramps.
The book teaches important lessons about humility, bragging, changing habits, apologizing for mistakes and more.
As an added bonus, there is a discussion section entitled “Activities and Questions from Brother and Sister Bear" at the end of the book. This is a two part section that facilitates discussions and challenges children to do something related to the theme of the respective stories
Gwyn's thoughts:
I really like the book. I love the Berenstain Bear books and have lots of them that I read at bedtime. I fight with my brother a lot and this book taught me a good lesson on not trying to compete with him.
In the story Brother and Sister Bear learn a valuable lesson about bragging and boasting from Grizzly Gramps. The story begins with Brother and Sister Bear listing all the things they are good at and how proud they are of all their hard work and effort. Mother and Father Bear explain to the cubs that they need to stop their bragging and boasting because they are both very talented and it is not a kind and loving thing to do. Papa and Mama remind the cubs about what the Bible says, "It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud," But that doesn't stop the cubs.
The next day they stop at the park to rest and lay down on a grassy hill to do some cloud watching. And before they know it they are in a silly contest arguing and boasting over who can spot the best and most exciting pictures in the clouds. Gramps overhears them and decides to intervene. He gently explains to the children that their bragging is foolish and not something they should be proud of. That being proud of a special talent is one thing, but bragging about a talent is foolish. Then he reminds them of what the bible says, "Where there is strife, there is pride." He then invites the children to his house for a game of checkers and some milk and cookies. Bad habits are hard to break so of course the cubs immediately start bragging about who will win...until Gramps reminds them yet again of their promise to not brag and boast. The cubs apologize and walk down the hill to Gramps.
The book teaches important lessons about humility, bragging, changing habits, apologizing for mistakes and more.
As an added bonus, there is a discussion section entitled “Activities and Questions from Brother and Sister Bear" at the end of the book. This is a two part section that facilitates discussions and challenges children to do something related to the theme of the respective stories
I really like the book. I love the Berenstain Bear books and have lots of them that I read at bedtime. I fight with my brother a lot and this book taught me a good lesson on not trying to compete with him.
About the author and illustrator:
Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents, Stan and Jan, working together to write and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too.
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