The Berenstain Bears and the Big Question [Paperback]

Stan Berenstain (Author), Jan Berenstain (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: First Time Books(R)

When Sister Bear asks her mother about God, Mama tries to explain.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (October 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679889612
• ISBN-13: 978-0679889618
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.2 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,686 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Berenstain, Stan
  • #87 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Berenstain, Jan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Berenstain Bears attempt to answer The Big Question, January 26, 2009

By 

Christine M. Irvin (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Berenstain Bears and the Big Question (Paperback)

In The Berenstain Bears and the Big Question, Mama and Papa Bear attempt to answer the "big question." When Sister Bear asks, "What's God?" Papa Bear launches into a long, boring lecture about the universe; Mama tries to answer the question by showing Sister that God made everything, like clouds and trees and worms. But, when Sister continues to ask, "What about earthquakes, floods, fires, and tornadoes?" Mama is at a loss on how to respond.

So, she takes her family to the chapel in the woods where they attend a Sunday morning service (although, according to the storyline, they are not accustomed to doing so). The minister, instead of delivering a sermon that particular morning, allows members of the congregation to speak. Farmer Ben says, "I feel thankful to God for giving us such a beautiful land in which to live." Grizzly Gran then says, "I feel thankful to God for two wonderful cubs." Mama Bear takes a turn by saying, ". . . I'm glad we came this morning. It helps me think things through."

The story ends after the service, on the walk home, when Sister Bear asks, "Did God make questions?" Papa answers by saying, "Yes, sister, mostly questions."

The illustrations in the book are bright, colorful, whimsical pictures of the Berenstain Bear family and friends. Most illustrations cover a single page, but there are a few double-page spreads, as well as two pages that contain several small cameo-like illustrations on each page.

What I Like: This is not the usual type of Berenstain Bear book. They tend to stick to subjects that deal with family and personal values, like being honest, taking turns, and saying you're sorry. So, I was glad to see them write a book with a Christian perspective.

What I Dislike: But, having said that, I must also say I was disappointed with the way they tackled the subject. No one in the book really answers the question, "What's God?" When Mama is at a loss to explain things to Sister, she takes her to church, but she doesn't even ask the minister for help. Then, at the end of the story, where Papa says God made mostly questions, the implication is, of course, that we have plenty of questions about things but no answers. There is no mention of any Biblical reference for answers to any of Sister's questions.

Overall Rating: Okay.

Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review - 3 stars

53 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Blessing, June 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Berenstain Bears and the Big Question (Paperback)

This Book is one of my favorites out of the Berestain Bear Collection. The book deals with the question how did we come to be, who created us ? The writers give their view by taking the family to church and show what they learn. This book is a rare collection and it gives me great pleasure to know that my kids can read a book like this. Coming from a strong Christain home I can say this book hits a spot on our family book case.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Berenstain Bears Go to Quaker Meeting, March 9, 2011

By 

E. Estrada "Critic At Large" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Berenstain Bears and the Big Question (Paperback)

I find it amusing that this book has gotten one star and five stars from people who identify as Christians. On one hand, the Berenstain bears go to "church," which Christian readers approve of, OTOH, there is no mention of Jesus or the Bible.

Sister asks the Big Question of Mama, which is "What is God?" Mama answers telling her that God is the creator of everything. Then Sister asks if God created bad things like stomach aches, hurricanes and germs that make people sick and Mama has no easy answer. Mama and Sister see the grandparent bears "going to Sunday meeting" in their Sunday meeting clothes. They join them. The preacher tells the assembled that today, the congregation is going to be the "preachers" and they should stand up when they have something that they want to say.

As a Quaker, I'm delighted to read this book to my kids since that's pretty much the experience of going to an unprogrammed Quaker meeting. The building that the bears go to has no cross visible, though it is obviously a church with stained glass windows. There are no obvious symbols of Christianity present. The bears get up and speak about their gratitude to God and their love for one another. The book isn't intended as a polemic to give a catechistic definition of God. It asks children to consider one of the deepest questions of all, what is God and if God created everything, why is there suffering? There is no doctrinaire answer, the book is a jumping off point for discussion between parent and child. Each person must answer the Big Question for him/herself and it would be absurd that this little paperback book of less than 20 pages is expected to give any reader definitive answers. That's the job of parents, not Jan and Stan Berenstain.