Let's talk about every single Berenstain Bears book, shall we?
The Berenstain Bears finally meet real bears—and everything we thought we knew about Bear Country changes.
This week, I break down “The Berenstain Bears: Here Come the Bears!”, a brand-new Level 1 reader that seems simple… but hides big implications about evolution, cultural identity, and the Berenstain multiverse.
“We ate our honey. We ate a lot. Now we have no honey in our honey pot!”
This week on Deep in Bear Country, we’re taking a nostalgic look back at The Big Honey Hunt (1963)—the very first Berenstain Bears book!
Join me as I revisit this classic, explore its origins, and discuss how Stan and Jan Berenstain’s collaboration with Dr. Ted “Theodore” Geisel shaped the Bear Family we know today. From rejected story ideas to wild illustrations and Papa Bear’s very questionable honey-hunting methods, this episode has it all! Or, some. Has it some.
Plus, what’s next for the show as we approach the 10th anniversary?
Listen to past episodes: https://berenstainbearcast.org/episode-2-the-big-honey-hunt/
Let me know what you think in the comments!
This week we’re diving deep into The Berenstain Bears’ St. Patrick’s Day—and wow, do we have a lot to unpack. Apparently, Ireland doesn’t exist in Bear Country?! This book raises so many questions, like: How does St. Patrick’s Day fit into the world of the Berenstain Bears? Why does Brother Bear have zero clue what St. Patrick’s Day is? Is this book reinforcing cultural stereotypes… or just having fun? What’s the real history behind leprechauns, corned beef, and Irish-American traditions? And most importantly—what does The Great Bear War have to do with any of this?!
Buckle up, Bear Country—this one’s a doozy. This week, we dive into The Berenstain Bears: God Made You Special, a book that on the surface has the best of intentions but stumbles hard into some serious pitfalls. What happens when a children’s book about faith and differences accidentally reinforces inspiration porn, infantilization, and outdated disability tropes? A very uncomfortable discussion.
Sources Referenced:
📖 Special Olympics Inclusive Language Guide
📖 Disability Rights UK on “Inspiration Porn”
📖 Ashley Shew’s Against Technoableism
Join the conversation! Drop your thoughts in the comments, share your own favorite (or least favorite) books about disability, and let’s talk about how we can create a more inclusive Bear Country.
“Love thy neighbor” sounds great—until your neighbors are literally the local drug dealers. Join me as we dive into The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors, a book that asks us to embrace community… even if your neighbors were previously arrested for selling drugs to elementary school kids. This episode covers Bear Country’s ever-changing geography, the surprisingly shady past of the Bog Brothers, and what it really means to love your neighbor. Also, I may have a one-man show coming up. Let’s get into it!
Like, Subscribe, and Comment! Should I cover older Berenstain Bears books? React to the TV show? Let me know!
Did The Berenstain Bears’ New Neighbors really tackle racism? Or was it just another 90s attempt at a “message book” that missed the mark? In this episode of Deep in Bear Country, we take a deep dive into the 1994 classic that started it all—literally! This is the book that launched this podcast, but I’ve never properly covered it… until now.
What we’ll uncover:
PLUS: We’ll explore how The Berenstain Bears’ New Neighbors still holds up in today’s world, why it feels eerily relevant now, and what lessons we can take from it.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts!
The Berenstain Bears’ Biggest Continuity Shake-Up?!
A new school year means new teachers, and Brother Bear is in for a surprise! In “The Berenstain Bears: We Love Our Teacher” (2024), we explore what makes a great teacher, the anxieties of moving up a grade, and—wait for it—some wild continuity-breaking moments in Bear Country history!
Can we pinpoint the date of this book down to the year? Why does Miz Bearly’s friend defy time itself? And do we finally learn Brother Bear’s real name?
We also dive into real-world history, from Rosie the Riveter to space exploration, and the importance of hands-on education. Plus, I share my own experiences with teachers who shaped my life (both the good and the terrifying).
What was your most memorable school year? Drop your best (or worst) teacher story in the comments!
Don’t forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into Bear Country!
Mike Berenstain is BACK on the SHOW after having been away for TOO LONG. As always it’s a pleasure to catch up and check in and chat about Tintin. Enjoy!
This week, the Bear Family gets into a bit of trouble in a completely believable and scientifically accurate way! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Blast Off!” and it’s steeped in believability! I swear!
This week, I’m circling back to a book I skipped over for whatever reason and… wow, it’s a thoughtful piece of writing for kids. A surprisingly complex look at Culture of Violence Theory, it’s “The Berenstain Bears and No Guns Allowed!”
1 – 2 – 3 – 4- 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10! 1 – 2 – 3 – 4- 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10! Numbers numbers, WOO! This is probably it. This is probably my worst episode. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Numbers Book!”
Why do rotten eggs smell like rotten eggs? How many different kinds of volcanoes are there?! WHAT IS THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY?!!! I. Don’t. Know. BUT. This week, “The Berenstain Bears’ Big School Project” at least pretends to attempt to answer those questions. Also, papier mache volcanoes: better than robots?
New Year, Same Show. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Share and Share Alike!” and are you ready to start off 2025 with some ETHICAL QUESTIONS?! I hope so. I really hope so.
Oh, thank God we’re done. It’s the FINAL edition of “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook” and we MADE IT TO CHRISTMAS and ELANA IS HERE and we’re FINALLY DONE and that CAKE did NOT turn OUT.
NO CHRISTMAS EPISODE THIS WEEK! Instead, we’re focusing on TAKING TURNS. It’s The Berenstain Bears Take Turns and, hey! Give a little, won’t you?
National and International Organizations
Trans Lifeline Website: https://www.translifeline.org/
The Trevor Project Website: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Website: https://www.hrc.org/
Trans Youth Equality Foundation (TYEF) Website: https://www.transyouthequality.org/
Mermaids (UK-based) Website: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/
Montana-Based Organizations
Queer Prom MT Website: https://www.thequeerprom.org/
Empower Montana Website: https://www.empowermt.org/
Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center Website:https://www.lgbtmontana.org/
Montana Family Center Website:https://www.mtfamilycenter.org/
Minnesota-Based Organizations
Reclaim Website: https://www.reclaim.care/
Minnesota Trans & Intersex Resource Network (MNTIRN) Website:https://mntirnetwork.org/
Transforming Families Website: https://tffmn.org/
TIGERRS (Transgender, Intersex, Gender-Expansive Revolutionary Services) Website: https://tigerrs.org/
MN Trans Resource Directory Link: Trans Resource Directory
Atlanta-Based Organization
Lost-n-Found Youth Website: https://www.lnfy.org/
It’s “The Berenstain Bears Christmas Fun Sticker & Activity Book” and they’re really stretching the definition of “fun” here.
It’s a Christmas miracle as I take a look at a book I’ve already covered! That’s right, we’re going back and re-evaluating “The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear!” It’s a holiday treat!
GOBBLE GOBBLE! It’s AFTER Thanksgiving, but we don’t care! Because this chapter in “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook” is set after Thanksgiving anyways, y’all! Elana is BACK to talk about some eatible and not-so-eatible vittles! GOBBLE!
Let’s learn about Heaven! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Learn About Heaven” in which the Berenstain Bears learn about…. wait for it… wait for it… HEAVEN!
When the Bear Family finds themselves overbooked and running late, they turn to one of the Biblical Prophets(?) to solve(??) the lateness problem(???). It’s “The Berenstain Bears Bears On Time Solving The Lateness Problem!”
Noise, Noise, NOISE, NOIIIISE! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Too Much Noise!”
Happy FALLoWEEN everyone! I hope you have your costumes picked out for the big FALL FESTIVAL and that you get to go Trick or Treating for FALL candy! What a bunch of wonderful FALL TRADITIONS we have this time of year. Anywho, Elana is back as we discuss the FALL TREATS we made out of the FALL section of “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook!”
Welcome to Episode 01? of Deep In Bear Country! I mean, it must be because we’re just now meeting the Berenstain Bears. Also, all of my episodes have disappeared so this might very well be the beginning. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Meet the Berenstain Bears!”
The Berenstain Bears have a LOOONG history with Halloween. Those bears LOOOVE to Trick and they love to treat and they love to combine the two and trick and treat. But, sometimes, it’s all about the party. This week, the Bear Family throws caution to the wind and hosts a BIG HALLOWEEN PARTY in “The Berenstain Bears’ BIG HALLOWEEN PARTY!” And, that’s pretty much it.
Ghouls and Ghosts and Ghosts and Gob-o-lins! It’s Halloween time and this week, we’ve got a board book from 2020 that warms my dark little heart. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Halloween Is Sweet!” and… it is!
Look, Grizzly Gramps could have just INVITED the kids over to look at the Big Family Album and not TRICKED them into looking at the Big Family Album. I’m just sayin’. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Big Family Album.”
What can I say? I’m a sucker for straightforward messaging. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Love Is Kind” and it KIND of works!
This week, an ACTUAL Track and Field expert walks me through the ins and outs of the Berenstain Bears’ own Track and Field book “The Berenstain Bears’ Big Track Meet!” It’s not that big. It’s not that regulated. It kinda makes Papa Bear look like a schmuck. Let’s go!
When is a bully not a bully? When he’s BEING BULLIED! And, who better to fill in as history’s greatest bully than… Joseph Dreamcoat? The Bible Guy? Or, something. Brian and Mark are here to help me try to make some sort of sense of “The Berenstain Bears Stand Up To Bullying!”
I got an important update about a certain TURKEY and a certain TURKEY’S NAME.
You ever wonder what’s on a FARM? You ever see all those closed doors and windows and gates and wish you could just RRRRIP ’em open?! Well, now you can with the Lift-the-Flap extravaganza “The Berenstain Bears Visit the Farm!”
Are you honest? Are you FAIR? Are you READY for BEARS? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts” and, does it? Does it really?
Are you ready to yodel your hearts out?! I hope you are! I also hope you’re ready to hear ME yodel MY heart out because I am GOING TO and I DO and I don’t even KNOW HOW TO. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ School Talent Show” and YO-DEL-OD-EL-ODLY-ODLY-OO!
Hey, it’s a trip to the Big Apple! The City That Never Sleeps! The Town That Never Frowns! The Metropolis That Never Nets Mop O’Lips? Whatever. What happens when the Bear Family goes to Bear Country’s version of New York?! Not much! They do go to the theater, though. So… that’s something. How *does* French work in Bear World, anyways? Find answers to this question and more when “The Berenstain Bears Visit Big Bear City!”
Want some absolutely generic advice coupled with random pictures from Berenstain Bears books of recent years past? Well, have I got a book for you! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Just Grin And Bear It!”
My kid’s bat mitzvah is today so I literally randomly chose an old episode to rerun. HOPE IT’S A GOOD ONE!
Pop the fireworks and blow the… horns? Happy belated Fourth of July to you and yours and welcome Elana back to talk about the patriotic treats in “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook!”
When is a lesson not a lesson? When God steps in and gives you a pass anyway! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Patience, Please” and it really isn’t about patience! At all!
This week, Sister Bear faces a moral quandry and it’s up to the ol’ SHOULDER ANGEL to save the day. Will sister do the right thing? Find out in “The Berenstain Bears Do The Right Thing!”
The Bear Family is all set to honor their fathers and HONER THEIR FATHER by sending Gramps and Papa out on a boat for the day. But, what’s this?! SINGING? Who’d a thought?! Also, the origins of Father’s Day. Also, the INCREDIBLY SAD STORY of the guy who wrote the hymn about the music of the spheres. ALSO, it’s The Berenstain Bears Father’s Day Blessings!
Brother and Sister get a real crash course in theodicy this week when some BAD THINGS happen and their friends tell them it’s a PUNISHMENT FROM GOD and boy oh boy. Hey. Why do good bears have bad days? Well, maybe “The Berenstain Bears Why Do Good Bears Have Bad Days?” will help us answer that question!
When the cubs are assigned the chore of cleaning out their old playhouse, will the presence of creepy crawly spiders keep them from getting the job done? HINT: the book is called “The Berenstain Bears Get The Job Done.”
This week on Deep In Bear Country , we’re exploring rudeness. What is rude? What isn’t rude? Is there a definition for rude? And, most importantly, why is SISTER so rude?! It’s “The Berenstain Bears That’s So Rude!” How WUDE!
This week, we’re taking a look at yet another book that’s just a plot-free collection of poetry and prayer… try. And guess what? I like it! It’s “The Berenstain Bears My Bedtime Book of Poems and Prayers” and it’s pretty darn good!
It’s Mother’s Day! And you know what that means! A long history of said day. Also, some blessings. “The Berenstain Bears’ Mother’s Day Blessings” that is!
This week, it’s a book that I find very hard to talk about because there’s no plot and it’s long and it’s a devotional. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Bedtime Devotional” and I’m falling asleep just thinking about it!
This week, I’m joined by the delightful Avian Jangula, founder of the Glorious Purrpose Animal Rescue, to talk about, what else? Animal rescue! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Pet Rescue!”
Three three three three three BOOKS! This week, I’m getting THREE BOOKS oout of MY LIFE by talking about “The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible” “The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones” AND “The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find” and BOY OH BOY am I ever tired of typing “The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible” I guess I could have copy/pasted it but I go the extra mile FOR YOU.
I’m all alone! And it’s a Lift-The-Flap Book! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Bed” and it’s a Lift-The-Flap Book!
We missed Easter! But, never fear! Elana and I are here to report on the Easter treats we made from out “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook!” Yom.
Come with me to the most magical place on Earth, or at least on Bear Earth. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Visit Grizzlyland!”
I never thought we’d revisit this book, but Jeremy Gloff had some huge news about it and Bradley Mariska tagged along and this episode became a Collector Boys ep!
Hey! Do you wanna go back in time? DO YOU WANNA GO AROUND THE WORLD?! Well, let’s go back in time and around the world and let’s bring a REAL HISTORIAN WITH US! Dan Everton is an anthropologist and historian and a whole bunch of fun and I’m so glad to finally have him on the show for “The Berenstain Bears Long. Long Ago!”
Hey! Do you l❤️ve the library? Well, guess who else l❤️ves the library! My guest, Erin Gambrill, that’s who! Join me and Erin and we talk about “The Berenstain Bears We L❤️ve the Library!” They do! They do l❤️ve it!
Make way for ducklings… I might say if that was the book we were discussing this week. But, it isn’t, so I won’t. Still, make way for them in general. The Bear family sure does and that’s kinda the plot of this week’s book? “The Berenstain Bears and the Ducklings!”
Man oh man, is there anything worse than being forced to sit through a terrible music recital? How about having to be POLITE afterwards? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Politeness!”
Elana is back with me for the first part of our “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook” coverage! Woo hoo!
It’s Valentine’s Time, so you know what that means! Brian and Christy are back for their annual Valentine’s Day book coverage and we actually have a new book to talk about. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Extra Special Valentine” and it’s SHORT and WEIRD and SO ARE WE. Check it out!
Check out Brian’s podcast Center of Weirdness at predictocast.libsyn.com and check out Christy’s podcast Pizza Toast at withthewhatnow.wordpress.com!
This week I am joined by returning guest Becca Peter to discuss “The Berenstain Bears Stay Healthy!” It’s a brand new book and a very prescient book and a very strange book in so far as its setup is concerned. A musical about the topic? With no music? Because it’s a book? Sure! Why not?! Stay healthy! Give it a chance!
This week, I am joined by the lovely Elana to discuss “The Berenstain Bears’ Country Cookbook.” It’s a little bit country; a little bit cookbook. But, do the recipes… recipe? Find out now!
When is a ladder not a ladder? When it’s Jacob’s Ladder! Or… staircase. Or, ramp. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that Jacob is the focus of this week’s book “The Berenstain Bears’ Bedtime Blessings”! Because Jacob goes to bed, I guess? Zzzzzz.
You want big machines? We got big machines! Well, the Bears got big machines. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ BIG MACHINES!” They’re big! Really!
It’s a retelling! IT’S A RETELLING! This week, we’ve got a RETELLING of a book we covered only a couple years ago. Whoulda thought? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Brother Bear and the Kind Cub” and it’s SIMPLE. You can read it all by yourself!
Hope it’s a good one!
Oof. Let’s talk about The Nativity. It’s “The Berenstain Bears The Very First Christmas!”
This week, we’re heading off to… Bear Country? Yeah, Cousin Tex is here so we’re giving him a… sorry, Mayor Honeypot(?) is giving his a tour of Bear Country! And, he hates it! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Welcome To Bear Country!” Whew!
This week, the Berenstain Bears play football in “The Berenstain Bears Play Football.” No kidding!
This week, the Bears go back into the attic to dig up some old treasures! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Show-and-Tell!”
Stop me if you’ve heard this one: Episode 29. Busy week, y’all!
We’re back in nature this week with… wait, have I done this before? It’s “God’s Wonderful World” y’all! Woo!
You ever hear of this Grandparents’ Day? And how does Nixon fit into all of this? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Bless Our Gramps and Gran!”
Open it up… where are the people? It’s “The Berenstain Bears: Here’s the Church, Here’s the Steeple” and we’ve got a LOT to discuss.
It’s Halloween! And you know what that means! A book about our pets and the blessing of them thereof. That’s right! The Bears are GOING TO CHURCH and GETTING THEIR PETS BLESSED. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Bless Our Pets!”
I was so happy to have a new Gifts of the Spirit book to talk about. Then, I opened it and read it and something felt familiar. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Helping” and… we’ve been here before. Right?
This week, Sister Bear takes canter stage with a rehash of a book we covered back in 2021. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Sister Bear and the Golden Rule!” That’s clunky. But, that’s the title!
Spoiler alert! We don’t. The Berenstain Bears have a long history with the game of base-based balls and we are NOT going to explore it. Instead, we’re going to take a look at some clues as to the history of Bear Country, some clues as to the identity of their most famous baseball player and some clues as to the inner mind of Grizzly Gramps. It’s “The Berenstain Bears We ❤️ Baseball!”
Yar. Ahoy. Blah blah blah. We’re off on a Pirate Adventure and the Berenstain Bears are taking us there. Thus, the title. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Pirate Adventure!” Shiver. Timbers. Etc.
This week, our Bear Family creates a major imposition on their local fire constabulary. also, the history of firefighting! Also, Restaurant. Apartments? Maybe!
This week, let’s go down, down, down, with the Bear Family as they’re dragged to the bottom of the ocean to sleep with the fishes! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Under The Sea” and… there’s a lot of fish, I guess?
It’s back to school time, and you know what that means! GOD! It’s “The Berenstain Bears School Time Blessings!”
This week, I’m taking you on a trip around the world! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Around the World” and it’s PROBLEMATIC!
I can’t believe I’ve been doing this show for over 8 and a half years and I’ve only now had my parents on as guests. That’s right! For the first time ever, Gale and Ruben Gonzales are on the show to talk about “The Berenstain Bears We Love Our Mom!” and “We Love Our Dad!”
It’s my 400th official numbered episode! In celebration, I have Mike Berenstain back on the show to talk about the history of “The Berenstain Bears Hospital Friends!”
Some thoughts as I head into opening night of “Lost In Bear Country.”
Let’s get high! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Take Off!” It’s about planes.
Finally, a book I can relate to: another soccer book. But, hey! It’s actually a fairly insightful book! It’s “The Berenstain Bears We Love Soccer!”
It’s not a Thanksgiving book! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Harvest Festival!”
Happy Borthday Bear Country! It’s the celebration of the Fourth of July; the day the bears signed a thing to declare independence from… a king? It’s all a little vague, but remember THIS AIN’T AMERICA! Also, God. It’s “The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country!”
The Gifts of the Spirit are back! And they’re the Gifts of the Spirit that keep on Gift of the Spiriting. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Goodness!”
And so we come to the end of the Worthy Kids/Hachette board book series with “The Berenstain Bears’ Book of Prayers.” But, this isn’t just a fond farewell to this series, oh no! I’ve got THE SCOOP on how it came to be and why it ended as well as some other JUICY TIDBITS from Mike Himself. So, strap in buckos!
When’s an Easter book not an Easter book? Well, when it’s June, for one thing. But also, when the author successfully avoids actually discussing Easter for the bulk of it. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Blessings!”
It’s a Berenstain Bears book where the Bear Family goes on a walk and looks at animals. I mean… that’s pretty much it? “The Berenstain Bears All God’s Creatures!”
This week is all about LOVE! As a verb. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Love One Another!”
Sleep, man. Ya dig? It’s pretty heavy stuff. Like, what even is sleep, my dude? You ever think that, like, sleep is, like, dying every night? Pretty intense, right? It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Sleepy Time Book.”
When is an apology not an apology? What does “sorry” even mean? Does it count if your parents *make* you say it? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Say ‘I’m Sorry!'”
I know we’ve covered this before. I know we have! But, this is different? I think. In any case, get ready to learn too much about PLEASE and THANK YOU! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book!”
The Berenstain Bears clean up in “The Berenstain Bears Clean Up.”
This week, Willow joins me to talk about GRADUATION! Whose? Hers! And, the bears. But, they’re not REALLY graduating, are they? It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Graduation Day!”
This week, we’re going to the Credit Union! Bet you thought it would NEVER happen! “The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union” is a remarkably common, yet remarkably difficult to obtain, book in the Bears’ library. You have to join a credit union to get it! Or, watch it on YouTube. Like I did!
This week, God gave the growth, eh? Honey Bear is growing up and there’s nothing for Mama to do but take the bull by the horns and do something smart by doing something completely expected? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Growing Up!”
