The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers

Title: The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers
Author: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 1985 by Berenstains, Inc.
Pages: 32 pages
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book

Summary:
Brother and Sister Bear are very much alike, but they’re still different. Brother Bear is cautious but Sister Bear is overly friendly to everyone. Even strangers. Papa Bear shows the newspaper to Sister Bear and it shows a missing cub was found, and a stranger was being questioned. Papa Bear asks Brother Bear if he’s listening but Brother Bear is more interested in his airplane. That night Papa Bear tells the cubs about Silly Goose and Wily Fox. Wily Fox had tricked Silly into his cave and ate her for supper. Sister Bear had a hard time sleeping that night and the next day she didn’t want to play but went with Brother anyway. She avoided strangers and when she got home told her mother how many there were. Mother Bear explained that not all strangers are bad, but that you have to be careful anyway. Some people may look different, but be perfectly fine. While others may look normal and not be a nice person. Brother and Sister Bear go to the meadow to fly Brother’s airplane. While there, a man with a nice airplane comes to the park and offers to take Brother Bear with him. Sister Bear makes him stay and runs home to tell their parents. Mother and Father Bear explain again the importance of obeying the rules. They also explain the Sister wasn’t tattling, she was trying to protect Brother Bear. It ends with them eating Mother Bears homemade applesauce.

Who would I recommend this to?
Absolutely anyone with children. Introduce this book when children are young ad keep at it until they’re old enough to understand.

What are the potential problems:
It’s possible that it could cause too much fear. But I think it’s better to be safe than sorry.

My reaction:
I love the Berenstain Bears books. They teach great lessons in a way that children can comprehend and relate to. The lessons the teach are important, while still being enjoyable to listen to.