Talk:Berenstain Bears

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[edit] Controversy & Criticism

What happened? Up to August 2006, there was a section called "Controversy and Criticism" to which I contributed solid references to articles critical of the Bears' stereotypical gender roles. This section has now been replaced by "Praise and Comment" which now has a smattering of "blog" entries among its sources.

I'm not 100% sure but it appears the deletions were by a user "BerenstainMike". I guess you must be a fan. I don't mind keeping the "Praise & Comment" section because there are one or two good references there. But I went ahead and re-instated the Controvery & Criticism section (which still needs some work formatting the references)

Tweesdad

Someone removed the substantive criticism again, but left the orphaned References section. I don't care much about the criticism, but I put it back. If whoever hates the criticism decides to remove it again, please also remove the appropriate reference entries, thanks. --VAcharon 01:04, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Spelling

I thought it was spelled "Bearenstain". john k 18:35, 15 Jun 2005 (UTC)

That would be kind of funny, wouldn't it, a pun with the "bear" inserted into the name? However, the official site, http://www.berenstainbears.com/, spells it "Berenstain". —Lowellian (talk) 06:33, July 12, 2005 (UTC)
Actually, throughout my childhood, it was always "Berenstein" Bears. At some point in the mid 90's, it looks like they changed it to "Berenstain" with an A. I found some old books with the original spelling, so I know I'm not crazy. Anyone know when/why it was changed? I'm just curious, since I noticed that Stan's recent obituary had the "Berenstain" spelling. Salena 22:27, January 1, 2006
I too, remembered it as Berenstein. Just an anonymous user verifying. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.126.197.36 (talk) .
I was certain it was Berenstein, but I don't have any books to prove it. It looks to have been recorded in Amazon but this could have been data entry errors I guess. — Coelacan | talk 04:52, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] novel

They have novel formatting? I thought it was all picture book format. Scorpionman 22:00, 5 September 2005 (UTC)

Yes, they've written a couple of Berenstain Bears novels. I've read some of them myself, all of them from either 1995 or 1996. They still have pictures in them, though, but they usually come up every two page-spreads or so. I'm not sure if Jan & Stan are still writing them, though. - Nintendo Maximus

[edit] Jew bear

are they jew?

I doubt it. In their Christmas books there is not a menorah to be found, and I'm sure they've been depicted as eating bacon. 142.161.203.27 01:56, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] missing book

One of my favorite books when I was a kid was "The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree." It does not appear to be listed here... I remember it featured only Brother and Sister Bear, and they were exploring the interior of a mammoth tree which combined equal parts cave (bats, dripping water, etc) and haunted house (there were staircases and evil-looking paintings in the interior) I remember the repeated tagline, "Do they dare (insert action here)?" and on the next page, "They dare!" Tmorrisey 21:53, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

I added this one. Found it at Powell's. — Coelacan | talk 03:01, 17 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] unsigned annoying comment

I hate brother bear because he moans. (unsigned by 86.138.121.73 on 3 April 2006)

You did this on Timothy goes to school. Stop posting useless comments! 68.20.32.78 15:58, 30 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cedar Point

There is no longer a themed section of Berenstain Bears at Cedar Point, much to my dismay. They have converted it to a Peanuts cartoon theme, although one can still see remnants of the unique Berenstain Bears-style architecture. If your curious, there was an indoor and outdoor section. Inside, there was a whole library of all the Berenstain Bears books, some woods (denoted by plastic trees and colored carpeting), a lab and other things I don't quite remember. The lab had this really cool bicycle that would power a lightbulb, lightning globes/plasma spheres, etc. Outside they had a sandpit, a little train, and a replica of the Berenstain Bears's home! I'm not the only one bitter about it turning into a Peanuts gift shop... --Macrowiz 15:11, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

The same is true of Dorney Park in PA, although they're owned by the same company. --Joewithajay 19:35, 5 June 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Amazon.com Reviews

I removed the Amazon.com reviews for several reasons:

  1. These reviews are informal rantings made by beings with names such as JamieX-Treme, and so that doesn't make a source of any consequence, nor could you base any facts on them since they are open to considerable dispute
  2. They unessesarily made the article %50 longer, and much harder to read

unfortunately that leaves the religion controversy unsourced. Bantosh 9:32, 19 June 2006


Examples of critical user reviews from Amazon.com:

  • "I was a fan of the Berenstain Bears as a kid and as I grew up I respected the way they could address difficult issues in an open minded, positive, and non-biased manner. Thus, I was surprised when I read this title. Expecting maybe a look at world religions or some such, I was disappointed to find it only looked at Christianity."- Zappaphile
  • "I love all of The Berenstein Bear books. I've been reading them since I've been a kid. I'm now 20 years old and I still read the books. But this one offends me. I love Jan & Stan Berenstain, but why did they have to bring 'God' into the series? I am an atheist, and hearing/reading the word 'God' makes me sick! I'm sick of people being obsessed with all these mythical gods and stuck up in religion! I crave the day that religion and the belief in gods is completely destroyed from people's minds. Bringing 'God' into my favorite children's book series is an absolute disgrace."-JamieX-Treme
  • "I'm 24 years old and have always liked the Berenstain Bears books because they are fun and tackle serious issues in a very human way. "The Big Question," however, left me wondering if this book was meant to urge kids to become Christian. While I'm not always so quick to jump onto the "conspiracy" bandwagon, it seems that this story could have been handled much differently. Unlike the other books, it appeals to only one audience-- Christian. I am Jewish and agnostic. I know some Jews, Christians, Muslims, Wiccans/Pagans, Buddists, atheists, and agnostics. What bothers me is that Mama answers Sister's question as if she KNOWS the answer. Why not tell sister that this is a tough question? There are many religions, many beliefs, and we have to respect all of these beliefs and that, ultimately, nobody really knows the answer? Why not tell her that many believe in one or many gods, and others don't believe in a god at all? Maybe then Mama could have said that she believes in God, and then taken the family to church (or wherever) to teach Sister about one of many ways of looking at the world, instead of insinuating that Christianity has all the answers?"-"Animation Junkie"

Examples of positive user reviews from Amazon.com:

  • "This Book is one of my favorites out of the Berestain Bear Collection. The book deals with the question how did we come to be, who created us ? The writers give their view by taking the family to church and show what they learn. This book is a rare collection and it gives me great pleasure to know that my kids can read a book like this. Coming from a strong Christain home I can say this book hits a spot on our family book case."-A Reader
  • "This book is another hit to add with the Berenstain Bear Collection. I thank God that there are still books out there that still teach kids a lesson and entertains them at the same time. These books are truley a good way to get your kids motivatived to read, instead of watching TV. So I give this book and all the other Berenstain Bear books 5 Stars."-A reader

Example of a Neutral Review from Amazon.com:

  • "I grew up with the Berenstain Bears, reading them and having them read to me both as a connection with the outside world and a symbol of morality. While I enjoyed their handling of bullying, Racism, and School Problems, I find myself not that satisfied with this interpretation of 'what is out there'.

I'm a Humanist. Unlike the Richard Dawkinses out there, I don't believe in the eradication of Religion entirely, but in tolerating it as an alternative and mostly good view. Like The Bears themselves and their Grandparents in this book, my less immediate Family were and still are deeply faithful Methodists, and like the bears they were more in favour of using Religion as a connection between different people rather than a seperation between different faiths.

Richard Dawkins and some similarly-minded reviewers on this very page fall into the trap of believing that Religion is only one thing, and in their idea it is a force that makes people kill other people for a holy wars. Yet look into the stories of Buddhism and the traditions of Judeaism, spend one morning in a methodist Church and an afternoon in a Mosque, and you can see that the Average true believer couldn't care less who doesn't worship the way they do - all that matters to them Religion-Wise is Pleasing God, and the biggest rule of all Religions is: 'Do Unto Others as youw ould have them Do Unto You'...

...All I'm saying is that though I deeply respect all of the Berenstain family, it might be wise to revise their introduction to Religion. Children, when books are read to them, are 'Clean Slates' - their ideas are new and only vaguely affected by outside influence. Unlike TV & Gaming machines, a Book can give them an informed opinion of a subject - so we have to be careful not to give them one view, but let them choose from several." - Alex 'Gecko' Nuan.

[edit] Clearly Vandalism!

At the top section, there's a blurb about the bears being satanic honey jar stealing creatures. This is clearly vandalism, and I would like to have it reverted.Ohyeh 13:36, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Happy Meal Books?

I own a book, "The Berenstein Bears and the Busy Beavers" or something like that. They were given away in a kid's meal or some promotion. It is not mentioned and I know that 3 other books are mentioned on the back cover of the book. Anyone know about these and why they aren't listed? 162.83.123.76 02:40, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Listcruft?

This page seems very listy... is this really necessary? Timbatron 20:06, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

someone recently put in that papa bear is "gay"...

this must be someone's malicious act12.36.123.2 20:21, 12 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Chronology of the Books?

I wish someone would please list the books in chronological order as they were published, or maybe put the year they were first published at the end of each title. Like they do for other authors. Whoever out there knows the dates, please try. I would like to know which were the books from the 70s and 80s, regardless of their format. The article only makes clear that The Big Honey Hunt was the first. I would find it very helpful. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.47.31.5 (talk) 06:46, 16 September 2007 (UTC)