There's something about these old readers which I really enjoy. Maybe it's the glimpses back to classrooms from another era entirely. Maybe it's becauThere's something about these old readers which I really enjoy. Maybe it's the glimpses back to classrooms from another era entirely. Maybe it's because they remind me a little bit of my own classrooms in the 1970s (which had stacks of old books like these in the back that you could sneak away and read if no one was looking). Either way, I loved reading these stories, especially "The Red Car."
*Note: these stories really do depict another time, so as with any vintage book, allowances have to be made for this. Always read in context of when it was written!...more
This whole series is based on the premise of what comes next after the more 'official' fairy tale. In this story the Frog Prince isn't adjusting wellThis whole series is based on the premise of what comes next after the more 'official' fairy tale. In this story the Frog Prince isn't adjusting well to life away from his pond. The princess doesn't understand. In the end they do find a way to come together, which is sweet. The story is cute and funny, but not my faovite in the series....more
The challenge with any historical book written for younger children is how much to include, and what to tell about the time period. This particular boThe challenge with any historical book written for younger children is how much to include, and what to tell about the time period. This particular book gives a very high overview of the 1920s which feels a little too simple. This isn't a bad introduction, especially given the constraints of the publisher. I just wish it were a bit more....more
I saw this when I was looking up how many books were in the Princess in Black series and of course had to download it immediately. I really do like hoI saw this when I was looking up how many books were in the Princess in Black series and of course had to download it immediately. I really do like how the rules for Covid were explained in terms kids could understand (back when we had stricter guidelines). Keep one Frimplepants away! lol.
This book isn't about answering questions about covid but that's not the point. Overall, I think it got the job done and am happy there were resources out there like this when everything was so scary....more
Silly but fun, these creepy little stories are the work of Alvin Schwartz (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark guy). The best part? They're put in a forSilly but fun, these creepy little stories are the work of Alvin Schwartz (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark guy). The best part? They're put in a format which makes early readers able to tell these stories to themselves and others. The worst? It feels like several of the stories got cut off. Maybe they were too scary for the little ones?
Overall, this is a decent book for your beginning reader who likes spooky things. It's not one I would necessarily seek out though....more
Nice introduction to the tale of King Arthur, even if a bit simplified. I liked how well this draws younger children in to the story and makes it intoNice introduction to the tale of King Arthur, even if a bit simplified. I liked how well this draws younger children in to the story and makes it into something easy to imagine. My favorite part? Merlin! Definitely a recommended read for kids you're trying to get interested in myth, legend, fantasy or history....more
This was fun. Bobby likes to pretend to be all kinds of things, mostly from fairy tales. The one thing he can't seem to be is himself. Finally, the daThis was fun. Bobby likes to pretend to be all kinds of things, mostly from fairy tales. The one thing he can't seem to be is himself. Finally, the day comes when he needs to be nothing more than who he is. The way he meets this challenge is frustrating and funny. I found myself liking this story far more than I expected to....more
I feel like this book missed the point completely. While the words are simple and you can read the action things easily, but I almost wish these actioI feel like this book missed the point completely. While the words are simple and you can read the action things easily, but I almost wish these actions would be something you could imitate while reading, which might make the book a little more fun and add an interactive component. Exercising while reading!
The ending too, seemed a little out there. We land somewhere with no hint or clue this was where we were going. Maybe some foreshadowing? Which I know is a lot to ask from an easy ready, but that actually helps in literacy, when you teach a child how to predict outcomes from clues found within stories.
In short, this book provides very little value other than giving a child a familiar character to latch onto as they practice sounding out and reading words. Which is okay, but it's not what this book could have done which is too bad....more
Gramps takes the cubs on a car ride to Farmer Ben's. They see trucks.
I'm just not impressed with these newer books in the series. Sure we saw trucks,Gramps takes the cubs on a car ride to Farmer Ben's. They see trucks.
I'm just not impressed with these newer books in the series. Sure we saw trucks, but I've seen it done better in other books for children, in a more engaging way. There really is nothing much interesting about how these trucks were drawn. And my boys who really loved truck books growing up, would have been bored with this one.
The car ride becomes an excuse to show off different kinds of trucks. While the book is still ok, and gives a fair introduction to trucks, the premise is weak. We've seen in countless other books that the cubs can walk over to Farmer Ben's house. They've had summer jobs there before. I'VE SEEN MAPS. While I understand that this is a children's book, kids really do appreciate it when you keep the universe consistent. And with Farmer Ben established as a long time neighbor it seems to me that a different excuse could have been made (going to a car show, visiting a different friend, traveling to a county fair...anything really) that would have also exposed the cubs to trucks.
This is lazy. I really just don't like lazy books. So for that reason I'm dropping this back to 2 stars....more
What I loved about this book is that it took telling time beyond the simple concept of the hours (whichThe Berenstain Bears need to get up for school!
What I loved about this book is that it took telling time beyond the simple concept of the hours (which so many books do) and explained time on the fives, and then counted down minutes as well. The story was fun and engaging, and I think really helpful.
On the other hand, there's a subtle message here that you can get up and out the door for school in just ten minutes which is a HORRIBLE habit to be in. But one I remember well from my days in school. All the way through college. Yeah, the author understands me....more
This collection wasn't too bad. Very overtly Christian, these books take an entirely different tone from the rest of the series. A little on the preacThis collection wasn't too bad. Very overtly Christian, these books take an entirely different tone from the rest of the series. A little on the preachy side, which is confusing given the vague theology, but nothing harmful.
Note: I really do hate that my reviews of this series have devolved into a "not too bad" or "good enough" mentality. Really none of the newer books begin to hold a candle to the original series. Taken on its own merits, honestly I'd find this book just fine. It's when you compare to the others that you see the lack....more
Brother and Sister Bear have a secret, which means of course their friends need to find it out.
There's a lot here I didn't like. The rhyming text wasBrother and Sister Bear have a secret, which means of course their friends need to find it out.
There's a lot here I didn't like. The rhyming text was awkward and distracting. The idea that the cubs had no boundaries at all - that it was ok to spy - was also rather disturbing. The secret, when it's found out, should have been something that the cubs had a right to keep to themselves, and been allowed to decide when to share it. That they did proved that Brother and Sister were more mature than their friends.
I didn't like this book very much. I didn't like that there was no consequence for spying. I was honestly very disappointed by how this turned out....more
Another fairly good collection of the newer and definitely more faith-filled Berenstain Bears books. I do love the format, being hardcover, and the stAnother fairly good collection of the newer and definitely more faith-filled Berenstain Bears books. I do love the format, being hardcover, and the stories chosen for the book. I think I liked this one a little bit more than the last.
While these aren't quite the Berenstain Bears that my kids grew up with, they're good all the same. The family dynamic is maybe a little gentler, and their curiosity about the world is stronger. For that reason I did like this set, and would recommend it for your young readers....more
An easy reader book about all the different kinds of pets that kids have, told through the story of a pet show. Kind of a basic story but decent. TherAn easy reader book about all the different kinds of pets that kids have, told through the story of a pet show. Kind of a basic story but decent. There's nothing new here about the Bears, and nothing memorable about the book itself. OK, but not one to go out of your way looking for....more
This is another one of those early Berenstain Bears books that you just have to love. There's no Sister yet, and Papa Bear is off being an idiot in abThis is another one of those early Berenstain Bears books that you just have to love. There's no Sister yet, and Papa Bear is off being an idiot in about a million different ways again. I absolutely love the expression on Mama Bear's face - it's just worth it to page through the book and look at her. Small Bear is great in his constant optimism and good cheer even though he's not really being given a chance to play with his own gifts.
The pages without words at the end are absolutely priceless. . Overall, another great book in the series, perfect for those readers just starting out. I wish I'd learned on these books....more
I am really not impressed. For the first time I'm giving a Berenstain Bears a 2-star rating.
I'm somewhat mystified to find there's another cub named HI am really not impressed. For the first time I'm giving a Berenstain Bears a 2-star rating.
I'm somewhat mystified to find there's another cub named Honey, which means I've missed something along the way. The problem is, I have no idea who she is. This book is so flat and lifeless and without any kind of personality that I don't feel like I know any of the bears. And what happened to Papa Bear? In the earlier Easy reader books he was so wild and crazy and just OUT there, you know what I mean? And now he's still something of the buffoon, but he feels tired and middle-aged to me.
This whole book lacks any kind of interest or life. No, I wouldn't give this to my child to read. It's just a story about fishing. There's so many better books out there.
Which is a shame. I really wanted to get to know Honey and see how she fit in the family dynamic better....more
Well this seems about right. The cubs have a sleepover and everyone is up all night (especially the parents!)
Kind of cute and easy to relate to, thisWell this seems about right. The cubs have a sleepover and everyone is up all night (especially the parents!)
Kind of cute and easy to relate to, this is a decent story that's fairly easy to read. As a word of warning, your cubs will want a sleepover too after this one.:)
On a different note, where did Barry come from? Lizzie never had a brother before, and Barry has never been Brother's best friend. I'm feeling that he's being a little disloyal now to all his old friends, especially Freddie. What's with this?...more
The Berenstain Bears start cleaning house. Which is good. They find old broken things they no longer need and decide to have a yard sale. Honestly? AThe Berenstain Bears start cleaning house. Which is good. They find old broken things they no longer need and decide to have a yard sale. Honestly? A broken bat? A broken lamp? They need a dumpster. No one wants that stuff.
But then the book takes a nasty turn. Everyone decides they like their stuff. So they put it all in the attic and cancel the yard sale.
Meant to be silly, the author forgets that the Berenstain Bears are supposed to teach us something. Here, how to get rid of things we no longer need. The lesson here is a very bad one. I need help decluttering not an excuse to hold onto everything I own! Let's not give our children this problem.
Sister Bear has a lot of things she wants. A teddy bear for her birthday, an A in math, and a pony. When she discovers the power of wishing on stars iSister Bear has a lot of things she wants. A teddy bear for her birthday, an A in math, and a pony. When she discovers the power of wishing on stars it looks like she's got it made.
Only she doesn't.
I wasn't overfond of this book. The whole thing felt rushed, and the explanation at the end didn't satisfy at all. I like that emphasis was put on her own hard work in order to get an A in math, but the rest...kind of fell flat for me. To me, this just wasn't as good as others in the series....more
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