If you read my blog, you know how I gravitate to any opportunity to review a Berenstain Bear book. I can still see my son (in my mind's eye) curled up with one after school or on the weekends. They were some of his favorites and I certainly didn't mind that since the lesson contained in the stories reinforced the same character expectations we had in our home. If it wasn't going to stick through me, I hoped God would use these stories to inspire my son to know God and have character beyond compare.
While already published in individual book form, this hardback collection of twelve favorite stories will certainly last longer than the tattered paperbacks on my shelf and is a much more economical buy. The collection reminds your child that God loves him, to be a peacemaker, to be courageous, to be a good, faithful friend, and to love their neighbors among other admirable and Biblical traits. The well known and most beloved bears are simply a tool to use in teaching those traits to your child and aren't preachy at all. Children today are faced with more challenges and obstacles than I have seen in my lifetime and it is vital that they are deeply rooted in how to handle these temptations and challenges, who to turn to when those temptations arise, and how to treat others before those moments arise. I can't think of any children's collection I would rather use the Berenstain. I highly recommend this collection for any library or children's home collection. I must admit though that with the colorful illustration, you might find five minutes a bit of a stretch. (It took me a bit longer but still under ten minutes a story as a read-aloud.)
Thank you, Mike Berenstain, for carrying on where your parents left off.
I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.
No comments:
Post a Comment