Jan Berenstain Books & Reviews

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Jan Berenstain

5 stars across 237 books

Stan and Jan Berenstain were already successful cartoonists for magazines and adult humor books when they began writing children's books. The first story starring the bear family, The Big Honey Hunt, appeared in 1962. Since then, more than 370 Berenstain Bears books have been published, and more than 300 million copies have been sold. What began as an idea sparked by their young sons' love of reading has become over the years arguably the best-selling children's book series ever. Since their inception, the Berenstain Bears stories have expanded to include picture books, beginning readers, and chapter books--even a hit TV show on PBS. Writing and illustrating the books has become a Berenstain family affair. Mike joined with his parents as a creative team in the late 1980s. The Bear family has expanded over the years as well. Sister Bear arrived in 1974, and baby Honey joined the family in 2000. Though Stan died in 2005 and Jan in 2012, Mike continues to create the delightful Berenstain Bear adventures from his studio in Pennsylvania. Stan and Jan Berenstain were already successful cartoonists for magazines and adult humor books when they began writing children's books. The first story starring the bear family, The Big Honey Hunt, appeared in 1962. Since then, more than 250 Berenstain Bears books have been published, and more than 260 million copies have been sold. What began as an idea sparked by their young sons' interest in children's books has become over the years arguably the best-selling children's book series ever. Since their inception, the Berenstain Bears stories have expanded to include picture books, beginning readers, and chapter books-even a hit TV show on PBS. Writing and illustrating the books has become a Berenstain family affair. Mike joined with his parents as a creative team in the late 1980s. The Bear family has expanded over the years as well. Sister Bear arrived in 1974, and baby Honey joined the family in 2000. Since Stan's death at age eighty-two in 2005, Jan and Mike have continued to write and illustrate wonderful new adventures for Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear. They live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which looks a lot like Bear Country. Mike Berenstain lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where he continues to write and illustrate wonderful new adventures for Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear.

13th September 1994

The Berenstain Bears' New Neighbors

(1 review) Review

The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers

21st September 1987

The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers

(1 review) Review

The Berenstain Bears: God Loves You!

28th September 2008

The Berenstain Bears: God Loves You!

(1 review) Review

The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight

12th April 1982

The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight

This classic Berenstain Bears story is the perfect way to teach children about the unique and special bond between sibli... MoreThe Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight

(1 review) Review

Old Hat New Hat

23rd August 1982

Old Hat New Hat

In OLD HAT NEW HAT the first few pages carry the reader well into the plot simply by the repetition of three words. Grad... MoreOld Hat New Hat

(1 review) Review

The Bear Detectives: Berenstain Bears

9th July 1981

The Bear Detectives: Berenstain Bears

New Cover Reprints of the classic Berenstain Bears' Beginner Books. "Help! My pumpkin won first prize at... MoreThe Bear Detectives: Berenstain Bears

(1 review) Review

Berenstain's B Book

8th January 1998

Berenstain's B Book

(1 review) Review

Santa Bear

1st September 2009

Santa Bear

(1 review) Review

The Berenstain Bears in the Dark

22nd September 1998

The Berenstain Bears in the Dark

(1 review) Review

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New Book

The Bears' Christmas

14th October 2025

(0 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Big Book of The Berenstain Bears

by Toppa

I absolutely LOVED Berenstein Bears books as a kid, and this is a new publication with 5 classics in one! I wish they would make more with all of the ...
The Bear Detectives: Berenstain Bears

by Toppa

The bear detectives set out to catch the thief that stole farmer Ben's prize winning pumpkin. Children will be especially delighted that it is the sen...
The Berenstain Bears in the Dark

by Toppa

A short-and-sweet story about overcoming one's fear of the dark. I loved how this one gave us a chance to see the special bond between Papa Bear and S...