Episode 483 – The Berenstain Bears’ The Bike Lesson!

Riding a bike? Never learned. Feeling like an outsider? Always.

In this episode of Deep in Bear Country, I get personal — and a little philosophical — about why bike riding has always baffled me, and how The Berenstain Bears’ Bike Lesson accidentally became a warning about life, failure, and stubborn optimism.

Plus: a weird history of bicycles you didn’t know you needed. Volcanoes? Hobby horses? Middle-class German inventors? Oh yes.

Let’s dive back into one of the earliest Berenstain Bears books!

Episode 3 – The Berenstain Bears and the Bike Lesson!

Episode 3 - The Bike Lesson
Episode 3 – The Bike Lesson

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!