The Berenstain Bears Play a Good Game and Love Their Neighbors by Jan & Mike Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears Play a Good Game by Jan & Mike Berenstain

Geared Towards: Ages 4-7

Published By: Zonderkidz

Publication Date: May 2009

ISBN: 978-0-310-71252-7

In The Berenstain Bears Play a Good Game the cubs learn several important lessons as their soccor team, the Rockets, goes up against the big and nasty Steamrollers. Not only is their opposing team made up of players way bigger than they are, but the Steamrollers also don't play by the rules. Brother and Sister Bear, along with their fellow Rockets, must learn and determine to play fairly despite the fact that doing so might not help them gain the win. As Coach Papa Bear explains, it's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game. No matter what it is you do in life, you must always strive to enjoy the experience and do your best. Then if you win you had a great time doing so and you know you did it honestly. If you lose you won't be able to beat yourself up over it because you'll know you did the best you could. Likewise, it won't have been a wasted experience because you'll have enjoyed yourself in the process.

OUR RATING: 5 hearts

The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors by Jan & Mike Berenstain

Geared Towards: Ages 4-7

Published By: Zonderkidz

Publication Date: May 2009

ISBN: 978-0-310-71249-7

Another wonderful life lesson is brought forth on the pages of The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors. With a story that had a definitive Good Samaritan feel to it, the Berenstain Bear family learns a lesson about judging people by their appearances. For you see, the majority of the Bear family's neighbors are all well kept and put together, all but for the Bogg Brothers who live down the road. Wherein everyone else's houses and yards are pretty and clean, the Bogg Brothers live in a rundown shack with junk in the yard and pig wallowing in a muddy pen. Compared to the rest of the town, these neighbors are a problem.

But when the Bear family experiences car trouble on the road to the town festival, it becomes quickly apparent that appearances can be deceiving. Unwilling to inconvenience themselves, the "good" neighbors, Mr and Mrs Mayor and even Squire and Mrs Grizzly, pass by leaving Mama, Papa, and the kids standing by their broken down car. With no offer of help, the Bear family begins to wonder if they'll ever get to the festival. However, when the Bogg Brothers come rattling down the lane in their beat up jalopy, they graciously stop to help. It's then that the Bear family realizes the error of their ways. It's not what's on the outside that matters; it's what's on the inside that counts.

OUR RATING: 5 hearts