Deep In Bear Country – A Berenstain Bearcast
Let's talk about every single Berenstain Bears book, shall we?
What’s all this then?! It’s a reading! This week we’re breaking format and listening to a book! So, kick back, relax and enjoy my melifluous tones!
We’ll be back next week with an episode as we barrel toward Christmas! There’s a lot coming up!
As usual, let me know what you think! Do you want more readings? You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Gobble Gobble! It’s Thanksgiving and we’ve got a JUMBO episode! Welcome back Bradley Mariska and Jeremy Gloff – our B. Bear collectors – as we discuss “The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw.” We cover, not only the original special, but also the adaptations that followed.
Take a look at some of the Bigpaw collectibles from Bradley’s collection:
How old is Bigpaw? Where does he come from? Since when is Mama a witch? Is “One Tin Soldier” a good song?
We answer none of these questions! Enjoy!
As usual, let me know what you think! You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
This is the book where Mama LOSES. HER. Stuff. Her stuff. She straight up loses it and yells at the cubs and we couldn’t be happier. Oh, and Mitzi is joining me again. We’re getting ready for vacation, so this one is short!
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can holla at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Actually, only the cubs go to camp, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This week, I talk with an old college friend, Chris Nail, who knows a LOT about camp. What are those mysterious rules Brother is so interested in? Where are the other camp counselors? Also, Native American iconography and its prevalence in the history of American Summer Camps!
What was your camp experience like? Let me know! You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Who better to discuss a fight between two siblings than . . . two siblings! In this episode, BOTH of my kids join me to discuss arguments, waking up on the wrong side of the bed and yelling dads. Plus, conflict resolution: is it worth it?
Please let me know what you think! You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Happy Halloween, BOILS and GHOULS! Welcome to the Halloween episode of the Berenstain SCARES! Let’s go down a scummy . . . dirt . . . toad(?), creep in . . . scare country? I lost it.
Anyway, it’s not a Halloween book, but it *is* all about FEAR! And, as such, I’ve decided to tackle the subject my own self. Me. All by my lonesome. Let’s see how it turns out!
Good. It turns out good.
Thanks for listening! Be sure to let me know what you think! You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
What does a real dentist think of Sister Bear’s first trip to the dentist? Not much! Turns out, Dr. Bearson’s practice leaves a LOT to be desired! Join me and a real live dentist as we discuss this questionable excursion into dentistry.
If you want a better book to help prepare your kids for the dentist, the University of Maryland has a pretty good list.
As usual, let me know what you think! You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
How did the Bear Family get their treehouse in the first place? Ever wonder that? No? Well, you’re getting a canon-defying explanation in “The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day!” When is a cave not a cave? Where did the rabbits in clothes go? And, what of those sconces?! All this, my kid, and MORE!
As usual, let me know what you think! You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
This is so cool. I have on the show this week Bradley Mariska and Jeremy Gloff. Bradley and Jeremy have the two largest collections of Berenstain Bear merch IN THE WORLD. THE WORLD! Join me as these guys share three of their favorite B. Bear pieces. And, don’t fret that this is the last time these guys will be on, because this is not the last time these guys will be on.
Hey, do you want to see some images from the books?! Take a looks!
If you’re interested in joining the Berenstain Bears Collectors Facebook Group, just click through to the page! Internet magic! Also, Jeremy is a musician, so go like his Facebook page; he makes good music! Bradley is a musician as well, but I don’t see . . . I can’t find any kind of fan page for him or anything. I *did* find someone named “Mariska Bradley” though, so . . . so, that’s weird.
And, hey, if you dug this episode, let me know! You can find our official Facebook page on . . . on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. It super helps get the word out there! Mwah! Love you all!
I have so many cool friends! Today, I’m joined by Dr. Steve Lawler to talk about the time brother and sister had their privacy violated by Dr. Grizzly. Seriously, at least let them put on some pants, Gert. We also talk about what that thing on Dr. Grizzly’s head is all about, the lack on non-bears in Bear Country and I FINALLY get a real diagnosis on Papa Bear’s sneezes! It’s fun!
I prescribe you 100 cc’s of rating and reviewing us on iTunes. Subscribing on Stitcher. Liking us on Facebook. Following us on Twitter.
Meet my friend, Linda! She basically made my four-year-old the awesome person she is and I am thrilled to discuss this book with her today!
In which we discover the true meaning of Christmas. Or, at least I do. Enjoy!
Don’t be a Grinch! Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
Bear Country has a prehistory! We don’t actually learn much about it, but here it is! Dinosaurs! And, here’s the Bear Country museum and its curator Actual Factu – wait. Is that Actual Factual? It . . . it looks like him, but – Okay, we need to take this thing apart. It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone” and it’s a MYSTERY! All of it. Cover to cover. And I get SO ANGRY! Join me, won’t you?
Help me recover the secrets of the past by rating and reviewing us on iTunes. Subscribing on Stitcher. Liking us on Facebook. And, following us on Twitter. I would love to hear from you!
This week, we explore the hidden depths of what may be the spoooookiest book we’ve covered so far! And, no, it’s NOT “The Spooky Old Tree!” Brother’s fractured subconscious wars within itself and drags its fragments deep below its own comfort zone in these two deceptively simple books. Enjoy!
Make peace with your fractured psyche and rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. I love to hear from you!
Bear Country LOVES science! And, so do I! Join me as I explore the final two books in the rough trilogy started in “The Bears’ Almanac.” These books . . . man, they’re just great. I love ’em. Love, love, love ’em.
As always and forever, please Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. I love to hear from you!
We’re skipping ahead a bit to bring you a BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL! That’s right, it’s Sister Bear’s first year of school and to celebrate we have a real live school teacher in the studio with us! We’ll be talking about the verisimilitude of Sister’s Kindergarten classroom, Ms. Honeybear’s approach to meeting children, whether or not this book is a good primer for youngsters and, most importantly, that barrel of clay. Why would you store clay . . . in a barrel?
So, enjoy our ramblings! And, please Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. You’re all the best!
We’re back into the strange world of Small/Brother Bear’s psyche! Where will his concerns bout this new sister take him? And, are the Detectives real or all in our heads?
Please Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. And, join us next week!
Please welcome into the Deep In Bear Country Studios (the living room) our first ADULT guest, Elana Gravitz! Elana and I have a great time discussing The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby and covering such topics as: drinking straight from the family honey pot, not telling your kid their new sibling is arriving that day, the Bears’ strange and sudden isolation from the rest of Bear Country and the New Sibling/New Bed exchange rate. Also, Sister is pretty strong for a newborn.
Thank you, once again, for listening! Please Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. And, join us next week!
Man, I just relistened to this episode and I sound reallllllly mellow. Like, really mellow. Anyway, give it a listen! We’re closing out the end of Deep In Bear Country Phase 1 and entering Phase 2! What does that even mean? Well, it means . . big things. Big things in store. For . . . you. So, buckle up, sonny jim. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. Except, not in this episode. This episode is mellow. And, so smooth.
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We are rapidly approaching Zero Hour, my friends. Small, Papa and to a lesser extent Mama have brought us so far on this journey and now they are preparing to *expand* their universe with . . . *expand* was a joke, see? Like, Mama Bear is expanding across the midsection because of having a baby in- forget it! Forget it! I’m bad at jokes!
Anyway, in this book, we get Papa prepping Small for an addition to the family by way of some artful storytelling of stories we all already know. But, man does Small look enthralled there on the cover. No shock, really. He’s having his little mind blown.
And, hey, if’n you’re feelin’ goofy: Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Seriously. It’s cool to do those things, man.
We’re still in Dreamland. I know! It feels like we’ve been here forever. Well, trust me when I say this is all leading some place. And, this episode, I think we all get a good idea where that place is. “Bears in the Night” and “C is for Clown” may not seem to be tied into the main storyline, but they are. Oh, yes yes yes they most certainly are.
Be a pal, wontcha! Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. We all wanna be pals!
We’re back for another trip through Small Bear’s Dreamland! And, by “we” I mean “we!” That’s right! Deep In Bear Country welcomes its very first guest! And, she’s young! Very. And, this is dropping on my birthday, so . . . happy birthday to me!
As always, thank you for listening! Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. We love you all!
It’s our first holiday book! And . . . the holiday isn’t really that important a part of it. Okay, it’s barely a part of it at all. Still, it’s a landmark so I’ll take it!
As always rate and review us on iTunes, download us on Stitcher, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! You rock!
It’s a double header! Is that the right term? Who knows?! We are covering the first two Bright and Early Books in the Berenstain’s oeuvre and also learning a little bit of publishing history along the way. PLUS things get weird. Really weird. How weird? How about parallel universe weird? How does that make you feel?
As always rate and review us on iTunes, download us on Stitcher, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! Whew! Oh, and enjoy!
Stop everything! Bear Country has a beach?! Apparently so, and The Bear Family is set to have a great time beachin’ on vaca! At least, Papa and Small Bear are; Mama . . . she takes a backseat for this one. Still, this book has it all: sand, water, rocks, and a challenge to the Old Gods. Don’t miss it!
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What happens when Stan and Jan throw three new cubs into the Papa Bear/Small Bear mix? Turns out . . . they don’t end up playing a huge role in the story. Or, making much of a difference. Still, three new cubs! Do they get names? Do they speak lines? Do they evolve into Cousin Freddy? No. No. And, I don’t know. Haven’t gotten there yet. Still. Three new cubs!
Thanks to everyone for supporting the show! Remember to rate and review us on iTunes, download us with your Stitcher app, follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook. Social Media! Like the kids do!
Do you like turning points? I do! And “The Bears’ Picnic” – darn that apostrophe; trips me up every time – is a major turning point for not only the Bear Family but for Stan and Jan Berenstain as artists, writers and collaborators. We’ll get into that in this episode as well as new locations in Bear Country!
I want to give a big shout out to berenstainbears.com who found us through Twitter and posted about our show on their Facebook page! Thank you so much, you guys! Also, thanks to everyone who has rated and reviewed us on iTunes – it really helps to get the show out there.
Also, don’t forget to join us on Twitter @BStainBearcast. We’d love to hear from you!
It’s a bonus episode! Holy cats! What brought this on? I wanted to cover “Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole” before I lost my enthusiasm for it. It’s a clunky, weird, kinda terrible book BUT it’s super important in the history of the development of Stan and Jan Berenstain as writers. Super important. So, I’m not covering it just to knock it, but to examine it within the context of the Berenstains’ career.
Looking back, I think I got a couple of dates wrong in my retelling of the story of this book’s inception. If you can find it in your hearts to whistle past that . . . do so?
I’ll be back in a few days – fingers crossed – with “The Bear’s Picnic” which is AWESOME and I’m very excited about singing its praises!
Well, this is exciting! The first NAMED Berenstain Bears book! By which I mean, of course, that it’s the first book which identifies the Bear Family as “The Berensatin Bears.” Much like “The Addams Family” referred to “the family created by Charles Addams.” This all came as a surprise to Stan and Jan Berenstain. Which reminds me! It’s also the first book that refers to them as “Stan and Jan Berenstain” rather than as “Stanley and Janice.” And, isn’t that nice?
So, woo-hoo for this. Be sure to stay tuned for more episodes coming soon. I’ve got a few treats up my sleeves. Also, pop by Twitter and follow us! And, rate and review us on iTunes! It’d be really cool of you to do! Thanks!
Finally! An actual book!
“The Big Honey Hunt” marks the introduction of the Bear Family – Papa, Mama and . . . Small. Notice how many ideas that would carry over into later books are already in place: the tree house, the outfits, the attitudes of the bears. This was due to Dr. Seuss’s very exacting editorial hand. He insisted that Stan and Jan build these characters from the ground up; that the Bears exist as fully realized characters before the Berenstains begin writing about them. And, it shows. The Bears arrive fully realized as characters. Not, of course, as the characters they would eventually grow into, but as characters in their own right.
Now, there is a strong Seussian influence on these early books. Specifically, the ramping up of craziness and the physical comedy perpetrated by Papa Bear. This intentional “zaniness” will lighten over the course of the early books, but never fully leave until we get into books for younger children. For now, it’s all zaniness, all the time.
Hello! And welcome to the first episode of “Deep In Bear Country: A Berenstain Bearcast.” In this episode, I take you through the whole reason this thing even exists. I give you a little rundown of the history of authors Stan and Jan Berenstain and hopefully prepare you for the long LONG journey to come.
All of the biographical information in the episode comes from “Down A Sunny Dirt Road – An Autobiography” by Stan and Jan Berenstain. It’s an invaluable source of information and I’ll be covering it specifically in a later episode.
