The Berenstain Bears and Mama for Mayor!

Written by Jan Berenstain and Mike Berenstain

Narrated by Lance Rubin

When Mama Bear runs for town mayor, she promises to get things done. Mama is the bear for the job! But will she win?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Aug 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9780062133786

Jan Berenstain

Stan and Jan Berenstain were already successful cartoonists for magazines and adult humor books when they began writing children's books. The first story starring the bear family, The Big Honey Hunt, appeared in 1962. Since then, more than 370 Berenstain Bears books have been published, and more than 300 million copies have been sold. What began as an idea sparked by their young sons' love of reading has become over the years arguably the best-selling children's book series ever. Since their inception, the Berenstain Bears stories have expanded to include picture books, beginning readers, and chapter books--even a hit TV show on PBS. Writing and illustrating the books has become a Berenstain family affair. Mike joined with his parents as a creative team in the late 1980s. The Bear family has expanded over the years as well. Sister Bear arrived in 1974, and baby Honey joined the family in 2000. Though Stan died in 2005 and Jan in 2012, Mike continues to create the delightful Berenstain Bear adventures from his studio in Pennsylvania.

Reviews for The Berenstain Bears and Mama for Mayor!

[margan1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book for a couple reasons. To begin with, I thought the illustrations were beautifully created across each page. They were created with watercolor and black pen/marker and were so colorful. There were also several different pictures on each page whether it was Mama looking out the window at the town or the rest of the family sitting at the dining table ready to eat. The second reason why I liked this book was because it included repetition. Once Mama told her family that she would run for mayor, the cubs would shout “Mama for mayor.” This was repeated on almost every page after that happened. It was also not only written as dialogue, but written on shirts and buttons and hats. “The family made buttons, shirts, and hats that said “Mama for Mayor.” They put them on and wore them around town.” The last reason why I liked this book was because it had a very easy plot or story to it that can be an easy read for beginning readers to be able to read with confidence. The book had very easy terms in it and phrases such as “They gave speeches. Mama listened to the speeches. She thought they were pretty boring.” Overall, the main idea of this story was to help Mama run for Mayor and win the election, but then realize that words are easier to say than actually going on and doing them. Deeds such as Mama promised take time.