Customer Reviews

The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners (Random House Children's Book and Cassette Library)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My 4-year-old son LOVED The Berenstain Bears' New Baby and it was a big help in preparing for the arrival of his baby sister. So when we were struggling with remembering manners, I bought this book, certain that it would help. However, I ended up disagreeing with the approach to correcting bad or forgotten manners and rude behavior. This book outlined specific chores as punishments for various offenses. As parents, we have learned that allowing children to help around the house with things like sweeping, taking out the garbage, and helping Mommy empty the dishwasher (the plastic stuff!) is very empowering and makes kids feel like they can contribute to the household and they enjoy being part of the "family team" (hopefully this will continue into their teens since we've started them as toddlers!). Also, I learned that I should probably read through any new book by myself at least once before sitting down to read it to my children (parents can learn too!). Just a thought.

The world lost a real gem of a writer when Stan Berenstain passed on November 29. Together, Berenstain and his wife, Jan, and eventually their two sons, created books featuring lovable but flawed characters who tackle just about every real issue that faces families.

This book is a great example. Almost all parents are familiar with the difficulty that kids have in learning and practicing good manners, and often have a tough time in teaching kids how to be polite. One of the best things about this book is that it's not just the kids who are the naughty ones, Papa Bear has some rudeness problems, and even Mama Bear succumbs to an issue at one point. It's great for kids to learn that manners are a lifelong skill that will always take a little bit of practice. This book is a wonderful place to start.

We love this book in our house. It teaches what happens when a home runs amuck with bad manners. Shoving, name calling, blaming, throwing food, you name it, the bears have it and mama is tired of it. So, she puts together the bear family manners plan and if they forget them, then they have certain chores they have to do as reminders. Now, I agree with the other reviewer that chores as a punishment isn't exactly the best approach, but when they're chores that normally are not pleasant (such as cleaning up after an animal's waste) and have to be divided equally, then I can see the punishment factor coming into play there as being appropriate. I've emptied cat boxes most of my life and I still don't enjoy doing it so I can see that as being an effective punishment for bad manners.

Anyway, that said, the cubs go way overboard in being nice to one another. So much so that it's sickening and their goal is to have mama cancel the whole thing and let them go back to being ridiculous. However, mama doesn't go back and they learn to enjoy each other and treat each other with respect. Papa, however, learns the lesson the hard way and does many chores. But, when he runs into another car and a very angry bear gets out, he remembers his manners and a potentially ugly situation was avoided just by using good manners.

This book has been read quite a bit in our house and has had a wonderful effect. I sincerely highly recommend it!

The story "The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners" by Stan and Jan Berenstain is a very educating book. There are two specific reasons for why it is educating. It teaches children a lesson and it helps parents. The first reason for why this story is an educating book is because it teaches children a lesson. It teaches them that if you don't follow the rules or do what's polite, there are consequences. In the story brother and sister bear learn to be polite after getting a certain punishment every time they said or did something rude and discourtious. The other reason is that the story helps parents. Parents can not only read this to their children to entertain them but can at the same time get ideas on how to teach their children about remembering their manners and being polite. They can take what they've read from the book and apply it to their own home life.In conclusion, this story is very educational. It should be read to all young children.

This book was an excellent influence on my child's rude behavior. My son, (being a huge fan of this line of books) has gone from a barnyard animal to a Prince Charles wanna-be. He now thinks twice before belching in public, he asks to excuse himself from the kitchen table, the list goes on and on. Thank you Jan Berenstain!

The Book the berenstein bears forget their manners is about brother, sister, and papa bear. They slowly forget about what they are doing. Everything goes wrong, brother and sister fighting. Papa Bear Yelling telling them to stop. Mama Bear is getting mad and starts a new manners plan. This books lesson is to always be grateful with you got, and be respectful. I think the age level on this book is the ages 4-7. I really like this book it teaches kids manners and what do, and what not to do.

In my opinion, this is THE BEST Berenstain Bears book we have read. It not only does a very good job describing what good manners are, but also why not having them is bad.

The book begins with the cubs displaying some downright familiar examples of bad manners. There is a lack of 'please' and 'thank you' and 'I'm sorry' which leads to the usual sort of familial squabbling. Seeing what's going on, Mama and Papa make a gentle attempt to push the family back on track; but nothing works until Mama creates a chart with a penalty scheme to help everyone 'remember' what appropriate behavior is.

The reaction to the chart is not all that surprising. Brother and Sister Bear think the penalties are unfair. Which is when they decide to undermine Mama's efforts by being so 'super polite' that she will get "fed up and call the whole thing off!" [Ha!] Of course, that doesn't work as we all know that Good Manners lead to harmony and happiness and that you can't really overdo it.

Five Stars. In my opinion this is as good as the Berenstain Bears books get. The message of Good Manners is important, the examples good, and the story is told at just the right level. Okay Read-Aloud.

The kids loved this book! It held their attention and the lesson being taught has a great message so well I'm going to buy more Berenstain Bears Books.

I am twelve years old and I still like the Berenstain Bears. They give good advice to kids, teens and grownups. I dont see how people can find flaws in them, because the books tackle lots of the problems that kids have.

My daughter loves the Berenstain Bears books. This one does a good job of showing how important manners are, even for adults. It's an easy read for bedtime and the illustrations, as Berenstain stuff always is, are great and colorful.