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:
- Is Papa Bear actually racist?
- What does this book say about prejudice and inclusion?
- How does Bear Country’s “specism” reflect real-world biases?
- The wild history of octagon houses (it’s relevant).
- Why did this book disappear from my show for SO MANY YEARS?
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!
