Customer Reviews

The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The kids and I enjoy these classic stories. They combine timeless principles and morals with fun kids' stories, which is always great. The only thing that I am slightly disappointed about in these stories is that they paint Dad as "dummy" and almost on a peer level with the children at times. The stories would be even better without that.

It's been years since I have read any of the adventures with the Berenstain Bears, but it was definitely a strong part of my earliest childhood that I have spare memories of. The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule is a winner in my opinion and a shelf keeper for every family.

Sister Bear gets to learn more about that phrase she knows so well, but has never really considered. This classic is a wonderful learning tool for any child and I strongly recommend it. On the inside of the back cover is a reader's guide, which I do not remember as a child, but has great questions to further the learning and understanding of a reader.

What a wonderful experience spending time with the Berenstain Bears is, I cannot wait for more!

I purchased this along with some other Berenstain Bear books. My two boys (4 and 6) ask me to read this book over and over. Especailly my 4 year old. I does a good job of explaining the Golden Rule in terms kids can understand. I just wish there was more than one example, but still, a great book.

Another enchanting story in the series of Berenstain books kids will love.
The kind hearted bears in the story teach their cubs the values of family, friends and life itself. They teach to make the right decisions and always do the right thing, love your family, and be true to your friends.
There are fantastic illustrations and easy to understand text throughout the book.
If you read one you will want to read all of the Berenstains books.

Do not pay any attention to Deboarah "hamish", the book is not "Christian proselytizing".

It quotes the Golden Rule as it is popularly known in our culture, and gives a nice, if a little wordy, story that has no religious content.

The other popular Golden Rule book, by Ilene Cooper and Gabi Swiatkowska, makes a number of false statements about the Golden Rule. For one thing, it is not known all over the world. Some cultures practice the rule "do it to them before they do it to you." In addition, the statement "treat people the way you would like to be treated" is not the same thing as "love your neighbor as your self", which requires empathy as opposed to a simple, possibly insincere, behavior. Finally, I do not believe what they have for Judaism is the best quote; the Torah also contains "love your neighbor as yourself."

The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule, created by Jan, Stan and Mike Berenstain, is one in a new series of books by this well-known team, each dealing with a Biblical theme or idea. Their previous titles were considered secular books, even though many of them dealt with moral issues.

In this book, Sister Bear is given a new locket, one engraved with the Golden Rule inside it. Even though she has heard the Golden Rule, and even seen it in print many times (as Mama Bear has a sampler of it hanging on the living room wall), she never really understood what it meant. But that changes when a new girl, Suzy MacGrizzie, comes to school, and Sister Bear finally invites her to join her circle of friends.

The Bible verse, "Do to others what you would have them do to you," (Matthew 7:12) is printed on the first inside page of the book. There is a section on the back cover with discussion questions and activities relating to the ideas in the book.

The illustrations are the usual, colorful cartoon-like drawings that have made this series of books so popular.

What I Like: I like the idea that the Berenstains are tackling issues that are considered Christian in nature. Although the stories are still fictional, the added depth in the subject matter is encouraging.

I also think they did a good job of introducing, and explaining, the idea of the Golden Rule. They did it in a manner that is very kid-friendly. It's one thing to be told what it means; it's another thing to actually have a chance to act out the meaning.

What I Dislike: Although the Bible verse is mentioned at the front of the book, there is no other reference to the Bible in the actual story. When Sister Bears asks what the Golden Rule is, Mama Bear says, "The Golden Rule is one of the most important rules there is." I think Mama should have also said that the Golden Rule is a verse from the Bible.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review

Compared to other Berenstain bears books, the new ones by Mike Berenstain have a lot of words and can get a little boring and mundane. They also don't start with the clever little rhyme like his parents did. They still teach the lesson but it's a little bit over kill and if you are reading these at bedtime (like myself) suddenly your reading time is quite a bit longer, so instead of 2 books you may only have time for 1.

I always loved reading the Berenstain Bear books to my children and when my friend's daughter became a mom I searched cute books for a gift. WOW...I did'nt know that there were now titles including Christian values and scripture. I eagerly ordered them and they are being enjoyed!

I appreciate that the Berenstain Bears books have taken a christian turn, but the stories and writing in the books that Mike collaborates on are just plain horrible. They are over-detailed and the point or moral is very weakly illustrated. I returned a few of his books. I'm afraid I've missed the window on others so we're stuck with them. A word of caution when buying Berenstain Bears books - look for Stan and Jan Berenstain as authors. If you see Mike's name on there, put it down and move on.

My class loved this book. They remembered the Golden Rule and recites it daily. The book arrived as promised and was new. I will purchase from this seller again.