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Review Summary: Do unto others... |
Date: 2008-11-30 |
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Details: The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule, created by Jan, Stan and Mike Berenstain, is one in a new series of books by this well-known team, each dealing with a Biblical theme or idea. Their previous titles were considered secular books, even though many of them dealt with moral issues.
In this book, Sister Bear is given a new locket, one engraved with the Golden Rule inside it. Even though she has heard the Golden Rule, and even seen it in print many times (as Mama Bear has a sampler of it hanging on the living room wall), she never really understood what it meant. But that changes when a new girl, Suzy MacGrizzie, comes to school, and Sister Bear finally invites her to join her circle of friends.
The Bible verse, "Do to others what you would have them do to you," (Matthew 7:12) is printed on the first inside page of the book. There is a section on the back cover with discussion questions and activities relating to the ideas in the book.
The illustrations are the usual, colorful cartoon-like drawings that have made this series of books so popular.
What I Like: I like the idea that the Berenstains are tackling issues that are considered Christian in nature. Although the stories are still fictional, the added depth in the subject matter is encouraging.
I also think they did a good job of introducing, and explaining, the idea of the Golden Rule. They did it in a manner that is very kid-friendly. It's one thing to be told what it means; it's another thing to actually have a chance to act out the meaning.
What I Dislike: Although the Bible verse is mentioned at the front of the book, there is no other reference to the Bible in the actual story. When Sister Bears asks what the Golden Rule is, Mama Bear says, "The Golden Rule is one of the most important rules there is." I think Mama should have also said that the Golden Rule is a verse from the Bible.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: 4-8.
Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review |
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Review Summary: Golden Rule, Manners! |
Date: 2008-10-09 |
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Details: Reviewed by Evan Weldon (age 6) for Reader Views (10/08)
"The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule" by Mike Berenstain is a book about the importance of treating other people nicely. In the story a new girl comes to the Bear Country School. Nobody plays with her because she has pigtails, funky glasses, plain-old braces and clothes that nobody considers cool. Then Sister Bear remembers how Queenie used to leave her out and tease her about her clothes and hair bow. So Sister Bear decides to invite her to play and has a lot of fun.
I was disappointed that there was no poem in the front of the book like in most Berenstain Bears books. There are some activities in the back of the book that I enjoyed. One of the activities is to talk about a time that someone treated you in a way you didn't like. Another activity is to draw a hopscotch frame with chalk and play it with a friend.
I would recommend "The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule" by Mike Berenstain to people who like being nice. I would also recommend this book for people who are mean and need to learn how to be nice.
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Review Summary: Just okay |
Date: 2008-10-06 |
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Details: Compared to other Berenstain bears books, the new ones by Mike Berenstain have a lot of words and can get a little boring and mundane. They also don't start with the clever little rhyme like his parents did. They still teach the lesson but it's a little bit over kill and if you are reading these at bedtime (like myself) suddenly your reading time is quite a bit longer, so instead of 2 books you may only have time for 1. |
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Review Summary: Very Valuable! |
Date: 2008-09-20 |
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Details: It's been years since I have read any of the adventures with the Berenstain Bears, but it was definitely a strong part of my earliest childhood that I have spare memories of. The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule is a winner in my opinion and a shelf keeper for every family.
Sister Bear gets to learn more about that phrase she knows so well, but has never really considered. This classic is a wonderful learning tool for any child and I strongly recommend it. On the inside of the back cover is a reader's guide, which I do not remember as a child, but has great questions to further the learning and understanding of a reader.
What a wonderful experience spending time with the Berenstain Bears is, I cannot wait for more! |
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out of 4 Reviews
