When I was a kid, the Berenstain Bears were my favorite, favorite, favorite. When those little pamphlets came home from school for book orders, I circled all of the Berenstain Bear books.
Bear country was so fascinating to me. Brother and sister had such relatable problems, and I was so glad to have some furry friends walking through life with me.
Now as a mom, I’m thrilled that my kids are already “in” to the Bears. We watch the show, read the books, and even my 18 month old sits quietly through “BEARS!” books that he brings to my lap.
Of course after having divided our collection among my brother, sister, and I, we’re looking to add new books for my kiddos.
Enter God Loves You!
Berenstain Bear books were already great – great stories, excellent family values, good, solid life lessons.
And along with the great stories, excellent family values, and solid life lessons, God Love You includes the important message that we all need to hear: GOD loves us, even when we mess up, even when we aren’t the best or the greatest, and even if we don’t make the basketball team – O that was Brother Bear.
I really enjoy the story and think it’s a great nod to the most classic of Berenstain Bear books. The cubs have a problem and Mama and Papa comfort them and give them advice, encouraging them to move forward.
However, in this case, I was a little disappointed with how Papa comes off. Yes in the earliest of Berenstain Bear tales he makes his share of mistakes that are taken away as life lessons, but as BB evolved and grew, the sage advice the cubs receive always comes from both parents – Papa to the point, and Mama very gently.
In God Loves You when the cubs start asking tough questions about whether God loves them even in the midst of their current shortcomings, Papa mostly says “Uhm” until Mama swoops in and assures the kids of God’s love. At which point Papa finds his tongue and echoes Mama.
While I’m never a fan of dads coming off as incapable or aloof, I’m glad that Papa isn’t left hanging that way at the end of the book.
My kids easily want to read this book at least once a day. And I love that it references The Music Man which is my favorite musical.
This book is available at Family Christian Bookstores.
And if you’d like to pick up a copy for your home library, enter the rafflecopter below! You can win a $25 Appreciation Certificate to Family Christian Bookstore.
**I received a copy of God Loves You to review from Family Christian Bookstore and was compensated for my review. The opinions are mine and my children's and are based on our experiences with the book.**
Gerri C says
Our family has always enjoyed the Berenstein Bears! We have collected most of their books.
Jen says
Bernstein Bears were always a fave of mine as well. My son use to read them all the time. I plan to have my daughter start over Christmas break!
Jeanette Albright says
My favorite book as a child was their Christmas book. We read it every year. I now love how much more they incorporate God into the stories as we share them with our kids!
Michelle V. says
I had no idea they had these. My kids loved the Bears also!
Randi says
I love them almost as much as my son!! We just bought him the ‘Do God’s Work’ 5 book collection…he LOVES it!!
Sara Groome says
I kept all my Berenstain Bears books from when I was a kid and have now passed them on to my son. We are reading them pretty much every day right now! Such good messages which are hard to find in a lot of kids books!
Allie says
I have always loved the berenstein bears
Hannah says
Berenstein Bears were never one of my favorites…but my husband loved them so I’m sure they’ll be a hit with our kids in a few years!
Sarah Brubaker says
Love Berenstain bears! Really like the newer versions that have God in them.
Jeniffer D says
I enjoyed them when I was little and now my little ones do!
Heart of a Philanthropist Blogger Kim says
I love the Berenstein Bears. They always have a positive message and I don’t have to worry what my kids will see when I leave the room.
Annette says
When I was a child I loved the Berenstein Bears and passed that love along to my daughters.