The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Pets

The Berenstain Bears

by Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain

This classic Berenstain Bears story is a perfect way to teach children about the responsibilities of caring for a pet!

Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book® from Stan and Jan Berenstain. Brother and Sister are getting a dog, but will the cubs help take care of the new puppy like they promised? Includes over 50 bonus stickers!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Animals, Classics, Young Adult, Family

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1990

About the author

Stan and Jan Berenstain (often called The Berenstains) were American writers and illustrators best known for creating the children's book series the Berenstain Bears. Their son Mike Berenstain joined them as a creative team in the late 1980s.

Reviews

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, does anyone think that in a world where most animals are fully sentient that they would keep pets...? Just asking...

Be that as it may, this is a great book to open the discussion about pets. Most kids want pets, but have no idea the work or responsibility involved. This handles it very well, right down to the point where all those promises to help take care of an animal, becomes 'old' and not so much fun.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh this was so sweet!

[Huratio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it when she chewed up the whole living room....that was funny.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

as i am not american i didn't grow with the typical books others in this website did. but as an english teacher it was my duty to look for some in order to incite my little students to read in their target language! this book opened the discussion of pets, adoption and care for others. it was an easy read for beginners in 2nd grade and i will definitely look for more books of these bears for them because they liked them so much!

[Scout Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comme ci comme ca... I thought more of the responsibility/hard work elements of having a pet (specifically a dog) might be explored but they were quickly solved by both kids being obedient (far from the normal family where the problems would have continued).

It would also be nice to see a book about a less popular pet like cat, bird, hamster, fish, guinea pig, etc.

[Sayo -bibliotequeish-]

The Berenstain Bears books were a staple in my house.
Often being bought by my parents to teach me a lesson.

I wanted a pet. I wanted a dog.
They gave me a hamster, she was fat and lazy, so I named her lazy, but then jokes on you parents... she wasn't fat and lazy, she was pregnant.
So my hamster turned into 16 hamsters over night!

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Treat this as a simple, cute story rather than anything really instructional. It is nowhere near long enough to touch on everything involved in dog care, but it does emphasize that animals have individual needs and shouldn't be treated as toys or accessories. Lady is really cute, and is certainly the star of the book. Too bad she didn't become a regular part of the cast.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good concept for a book. And they got some stuff right. But mostly it was all just too easy. And since the dog isn't never seen again to the best of my memory, it's not like Lady added much. In general this just came off trite. 2.5 of 5.

[Levi Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book when you're going to get a pet

[Danielle Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

[Lakisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story that teaches children about taking care of a dog. It also helps the parents show them how to teach their children how to share the chores fairly.

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://www.facebook.com/jerri.white....

[Mrs Heet -Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about how the Bear family came to have a pet of their very own.

[Rick Christiansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paints the picture of a nice realistic family, don't it?

[J.B. Mathias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great message for kids wanting pets

[Lynnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

typical berenstain bears illustrations and story. it actually would be a good read before getting a pet. my toddler just really enjoys the story so we read this one a ton.

[TJE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parent loves these books, Tea enjoyed but will be reading again as she gets older.

[Amara Tanith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Pets opens with the Bear family releasing a bird in their front yard. The bird, Tweetie, had been nursed back to health by the family after they discovered his/her broken leg a week before.

Tweetie wasn't a pet, but s/he does get the Bear family thinking about pets! Before they know it, they've added an adorable puppy named Little Lady to the family. But she's a bundle of trouble in addition to all the cute, and she doesn't stay a Little Lady for long. The Bear family has to adapt to caring for a dog; and most of all, Brother and Sister Bear have to learn about taking responsibility for their new dependent.

The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Pets is a great story for any child whose family expects to adopt a pet. The Bear family sets a good example in their care for Lady. Though they get her for free from a farm, they don't hesitate to get her licensed and vaccinated. (Spaying isn't mentioned, first and foremost because the target audience wouldn't be able to comprehend the concept without a basic knowledge of what it prevents. And goodness knows the Berenstains aren't getting into that conversation.) And the cubs quickly learn, with the help of a schedule, to take care of Lady's needs--the fun (playing with her) as well as the not-so-fun (cleaning up her messes).

For once, this is a Berenstain Bears story I can honestly say I recommend to children.

[Tessa Hensley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of your students will have pets, the amount of students that know how to treat and handle their pets will not always be 100%. This book would be a great way to start a conversation about pets. How to treat them, what do they eat, how much attention specific animals require verses others, and most importantly how big of a responsibility a pet really is. This book hits a lot of those points and sets a really good example for all pet owners. After reading it you and your class you write poems about your favorite pet, or make a "How To..." project on how to care for certain types of pets. This type of knowledge is useful in the world outside the classroom, but can also be applied inside. Lots of classrooms have class pets, if your class decides to get one this book would be a good one to have on hand or to read to the class before you get one. It can aid in the decision to get one, and help open students eyes to the fact that different animals take different responsibilities before a random animal is just stuck in the classroom for them to take care of.

[Chester Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some students have pets and other students want pets so this book is generally quite relatable to the majority of your classroom. The book details how to treat and care for a pet and also shows what can happen when you leave your animal alone at home. It shows both sides of having a pet. The benefits and love shared between the family and pet but it also shows that there is much responsibility involved in having a pet.

In a classroom this book would mostly be a fun read but could help put some students at ease who don't have pets when they see how hard it is to have a pet and they could have a laugh when the dog destroys the house while the family is away.

[↜ƈɦǟռ☂ɛℓℓɛ↝ · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Pets by Stan and Jan Berenstain
This one is starts with the Bears helping a bird with a broken leg, back to health. Now the cubs want a puppy. They learn the hard way, to never leave a puppy home alone and all the responsibilities that come with having a pet. But when that puppy loves them back, it's ok.
This book teaches kids that their is a lot involved in raising pets, and you have to work at it everyday, but the unconditional love of a pet makes all that worth it.

[Nikki Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Berenstain Bears Trouble With Pets is a good fiction picture book that shows that just because something seems super awesome does not mean that it does not require hard work. After finally agreeing to get the family a dog, the cubs parents make sure that they know that the dog will be their responsibility. The cubs agree with only visions of all of the fun times they are to have with their new pet. The story goes through a realistic new pet experience. This book is good for new readers and can be enjoyed the best by ages 5-8.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trouble with Pets, along with most Berenstain Bear books, are best suited for age ten and younger. A great lesson on pet care mixed with the fun and familiar Berenstain family. I think these books are a great series for children to build their reading skills while reading about a familiar family.

[Christian Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pets are great and so much fun, but they're also a lot of work and a responsibility much like children. It's good to involve the whole family in caring for pets. This book is a good tool for teaching young children about pet care.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shows that it is hard work to look after a dog and clean up after it but the reward is a loyal and loving member of the family. I always wanted a dog when I was younger but never had the chance to have one!

[Slayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made a 70 on the AR Test

[☆Brittany☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was appropriate to read to Ethan since we have just recently adopted a kitten! It teaches kids how to care for their pets & everyone needs some responsibility.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brother and sister learn that having a pet is a big responsibility.

[Brooke]

This book is a great story about how pets can add a lot of fun to a family but there are also alot of responsibility.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cubs don't expect
the big job they will get
when they jump up and down
and beg for a pet.

The Bear Family gets a dog and discovers that having a pet is a lot of hard work.