The Berenstain Bears and the Wheelchair Commando [Paperback]

Stan Berenstain (Author), Jan Berenstain (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 23, 1993 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Big Chapter Books(TM)

Illus. in black-and-white. Too-Tall makes fun of Harry and calls him "Wheels" because he's in a wheelchair. But Harry can handle it--he even challenges Too-Tall to a basketball game!  

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Illus. in black-and-white. Too-Tall makes fun of Harry and calls him "Wheels" because he's in a wheelchair. But Harry can handle it--he even challenges Too-Tall to a basketball game!  

About the Author

Stan and Jan Berenstain were both born in 1923 in Philadelphia.  They didn't know each other as children, but met later at school, at the Philadelphia College of Art.  They liked each other right away, and found out that the both enjoyed the same kinds of books, plays, music and art.  During World War II, Stan was a medical assistant in the Army, and Jan worked in an airplane factory.  When the war was over, they got married and began to work together as artists and writers, primarily drawing cartoons for popular magazines.  After having their two sons Leo and Michael, the Berenstains decided to write some funny children's books that their children and other children could read and enjoy.  Their first published children's book was called The Big Honey Hunt .  It was about a family of bears, who later became known as the "Berenstain Bears".  

Over 50 children's books later, Stan and Jan still plan all of their books together -- both write the stories, and both write the pictures.  They live outside of Philadelphia in the country.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (November 23, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679840346
• ISBN-13: 978-0679840343
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,579,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good level of understanding for children, September 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Berenstain Bears and the Wheelchair Commando (Paperback)

Brother and Sister Bear's new friend uses a wheelchair and the cubs have many questions for their mother about it. The concerns and questions they have are well explained and the story moves beautifully towards the conflict where the new cub proves himself. The story is well thought out and is very well geared toward children. The story's conflict and resolution are delightful.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Cub In town, August 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Berenstain Bears and the Wheelchair Commando (Paperback)

When Brother and sister hear that there is a new cub in town. They are all hoping thatit will be someone who is good at basketball so that they can beat the pants off of too-tall. When they find out that the new cub is in a wheel chair. They feel so strange around him. Worst of all the new cub is so touchy about his wheelchair.

Will the cubs be able to make friends with the impossible cub?

It is a very good book that teachs kids that all cubs are the same and that it doesn't matter if you can walk or not.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wheelchair Commando, October 15, 2008

By 

D. Burton (Lafayette , Boulder County, Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Berenstain Bears and the Wheelchair Commando (Paperback)

Misconceptions are addressed and resolved in this little book of 104 pages. Readers are able to see how disability is viewed from a variety of people including: parents of a child with a disability, fellow classmates & their parents, a teacher, and the person with a disability. The parents say, `Harry's got to learn to get along with non-disabled cubs too'. One classmate seeing Harry for the first time says, `he's going to need a lot of help from the rest of us - a lot of help'.

The term `cripple' or "the C-word" is talked about is this book and its' use is discouraged by the school teacher. Although `the H-word' is used several times within a few pages near the end of the book, it is only used as a noun not referring to a person such as: `everybody's got a handicap'.

The Wheelchair Commando is also a good introduction to wheelchair sports! I would say the Berenstain's have done a very good job with this story, especially considering that this book is now 15 years old!