Customer Reviews

The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)

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

 

 

The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors, written and illustrated by Jan and Mike Berenstain, is a book in the "Living Lights" series of Berenstain books published by ZonderKidz.

The Berenstain Bears live in a neat tree house in Bear Country. They, and most of their neighbors around them, take pride in keeping their properties clean and well-maintained. The one exception is the house where the Boggs live. The Bogg brothers share a run-down shack not far from the Berenstain's home. The Bogg residence sports a roof that is caving in and a yard that is full of junk. They even drive a car that is as old and ratty looking as their house. The Berenstain Bears think the Boggs are a problem for the neighborhood.

One day, on the way to the Big Bear Town Festival, the Berenstain Bear's car breaks down. They are stranded along the side of the road. A car comes by, driven by Mayor Honeypot. He slows down long enough to tell them he can't stop and help them; he is in a hurry to get to the Festival as he is Master of Ceremonies for the event. Another car, driven by Squire Grizzly, also slows down, but Squire Grizzly tells them he can't stop either as he too must hurry to the Festival where he will judge the flower-arranging contest. The occupants of the third car to come down the road are the Bogg brothers. They, or course, stop and help the Berenstain Bears. The Bogg brothers tow Papa's car to a nearby garage that is run by their Uncle Zeke. Uncle Zeke not only fixes the car, he doesn't charge them for the repair. As he says, "This one is on us. After all, we're neighbors." The Berenstain's invite the Boggs to join them at the Festival, where they all have a good time.

The illustrations are the usual, colorful, cartoon-like drawings used in all the Berenstain Bear picture books. There is a section at the back of the book with questions about the story and activities for kids that relate to the story.

What I Like: In most of the Berenstain Bear picture books, one of the cubs, either Brother or Sister Bear, needs to learn a lesson about something. In this book, the parents, as well as the cubs, learn a lesson about judging others. I also like the fact that this is a Good Samaritan story, Berenstain Bears style.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review

My girls liked the funny talk and ways of the Bogg Brothers. Neat how in a time of need the messy Bogg Brothers who had been prejudged by Mama and Papa ended up being the ones willing to stop and help. A great story based on scripture.

This is an adaptation of the Good Samaritan parable and works very well in getting its message across in a clear and comprehensible way for young children.

Anyone who is a faithful follower of the Berenstain series knows that the characters of the Bogg brothers have always been portrayed as criminals. For instance, in one of the Big Chapter books -'The Berenstain Bears & The Drug Free Zone', they were drug dealers!! I guess Jan & Mike Berenstain decided to rewrite history here, either that or the Bear family chooses to break bread with known felons and are trying to get a cut of the action. Seems like ever since the son took over writing these books, they've gone downhill and lack consistency.