What do you think?
Rate this book
Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas
The beloved, bestselling readaloud storybook - a short story for each of the days of December leading up to Christmas.
Benjamin Bear cannot wait for Christmas to come. To help the time pass more quickly, his mother tells him that every day when he opens a door on his Advent calendar she'll tell him a story about another little bear and his long, arduous journey to Bethlehem.The little bear, led by a glittering star, meets many others on his travels. His adventures, filled with acts of heroism and kindness and many small miracles, show him the path to the Christ Child. A beautiful book that teaches the true spirit of Christmas.
The classic text from Antonie Schneider is beautifully illustrated by the award-winning international artist, Maja Dusikova.
Benjamin Bear cannot wait for Christmas to come. To help the time pass more quickly, his mother tells him that every day when he opens a door on his Advent calendar she'll tell him a story about another little bear and his long, arduous journey to Bethlehem.The little bear, led by a glittering star, meets many others on his travels. His adventures, filled with acts of heroism and kindness and many small miracles, show him the path to the Christ Child. A beautiful book that teaches the true spirit of Christmas.
The classic text from Antonie Schneider is beautifully illustrated by the award-winning international artist, Maja Dusikova.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2005
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 24, 2021
☆ 5/5 🤍🎄💕❄️
November 17, 2022
For this advent book, you'll read a short story each day - just a handful of paragraphs tell a quick story about Benjamin Bear's continued journey to Bethlehem to see the Child. Each story has an entire page spread, a different adventure, and ends with a nugget of Christian truth to ponder.
I have mixed feelings about this read. I love the idea, and many of the lessons and truths shared in this book are wonderful. A couple maybe don't quite match my theology. Also, I always find it odd, and it disgruntles me a little, when Jesus and Santa Claus get put in the same narrative - I think it's just better when they're kept separate. And perhaps if it were a little boy instead of a little bear it would feel more applicable to the readers.
Ages: 4+
Cleanliness: St. Nicholas is in the story.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
I have mixed feelings about this read. I love the idea, and many of the lessons and truths shared in this book are wonderful. A couple maybe don't quite match my theology. Also, I always find it odd, and it disgruntles me a little, when Jesus and Santa Claus get put in the same narrative - I think it's just better when they're kept separate. And perhaps if it were a little boy instead of a little bear it would feel more applicable to the readers.
Ages: 4+
Cleanliness: St. Nicholas is in the story.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
December 25, 2018
This book is so cute!
Even as a teenager I come back to read it every year, and I hope I can read it to my own children some day.
The little bear's journey to Bethlehem is filled with little religious wisdoms and gorgeous illustrations! Really worth a read and kids will love it.
Even as a teenager I come back to read it every year, and I hope I can read it to my own children some day.
The little bear's journey to Bethlehem is filled with little religious wisdoms and gorgeous illustrations! Really worth a read and kids will love it.
December 5, 2016
Nightly at bedtime with both boys.
January 10, 2026
While this was a sweet "Journey to Bethlehem" story, designed to be a read-aloud book for young kids during the Advent season, it felt a bit forced and inconsistent at times. For example, one day they are in a desert and the very next day they are in a blizzard, all while the story reads as if they are walking a little distance every day. And some of the "lessons" definitely felt a bit far-fetched, though positive and true to the heart of Christmas.
I did notice that the author is German, so it's possible that this book weaves together some German Advent folklore that is unfamiliar to me in America, and this feels forced.
I checked it out from the library to see if it would be a book I'd like to read with my nieces next year, but I think I'll keep looking.
I did notice that the author is German, so it's possible that this book weaves together some German Advent folklore that is unfamiliar to me in America, and this feels forced.
I checked it out from the library to see if it would be a book I'd like to read with my nieces next year, but I think I'll keep looking.
December 24, 2018
NOT CENTERED ON JESUS, which is bizarre, considering it's supposed to be a child's reading for advent.
Instead, "Advent Storybook" is centered around a little stuffed bear making his way to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. Along the way he meets a range of characters, very few of them biblical, and some of them almost mystical. Weird. The arrival in Bethlehem is anti climatic.
My kids did enjoy reading this each night leading up to Christmas, but only because it served to increase the anticipation of Christmas. We also did the Family Life "12 Names of Christmas" ornaments this year and those served the same purpose but were actually biblical.
Instead, "Advent Storybook" is centered around a little stuffed bear making his way to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. Along the way he meets a range of characters, very few of them biblical, and some of them almost mystical. Weird. The arrival in Bethlehem is anti climatic.
My kids did enjoy reading this each night leading up to Christmas, but only because it served to increase the anticipation of Christmas. We also did the Family Life "12 Names of Christmas" ornaments this year and those served the same purpose but were actually biblical.
December 1, 2022
Several years ago I bought this book at a used bookstore. Reading it has definitely become a favorite tradition. The stories are beautifully illustrated. Benjamin Bear is very excited for Christmas so his mama reads him a story each night as they "journey to Bethlehem" with Little Bear. The stories focus on the coming of Jesus and all that He represents.
December 24, 2023
This is a delightful collection of stories to help your children turn to God throughout the Advent season. The artwork is stunning and enjoyable, too. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a bedtime read, or a book to share after nap time, or at Grandma's house - it's a fun, Christmas-themed book!
April 9, 2018
This is a wonderful Christmas devotional to share with children. It tells the story of a little bear and his journey to find the Christ Child. There are 24 stories for each of the days of Advent. I wonder if it was originally sold with an advent calendar. Every story begins with Benjamin Bear opening a door on an Advent calendar. The picture shown sparks a story of "the little bear" in his travels. All the stories end with Mother Bear reminding Benjamin of an important message. Beautiful illustration! A touching book to read with a special child.
January 7, 2020
A yearly holiday tradition...we miss a few pages or have to go back and catch up. Nice quick nightly reads.
December 27, 2020
The sweetest countdown story to Christmas, filled with tender stories full of grace and wisdom. My absolute favorite!
December 28, 2020
Wish there'd been something for Christmas Day, but I will still be reading this annually during the season of advent to keep the reason for the season in mind.
December 25, 2021
This was a cute way to do Christ-centered Advent calendar. The daily stories were just the right length to read before school. Definitely will become a new tradition.
December 1, 2022
Enjoyed the short reminders about Jesus being with us each day.
December 19, 2025
These little bears are so happy
February 20, 2017
At first I thought this was a fun idea with a reading for each day of advent, but it ended up sounding mystical or something that turned me off.
2/19/17 Read with Julia.
2/19/17 Read with Julia.
December 27, 2016
A purely delightful advent storybook with short, insightful and sweet daily reads leading up to Christmas. Every day ends with a bit of faith, a touch of hope and sprinkle of anticipation. It's just perfect.
November 9, 2021
Advent Storybook is a beautifully wondrous story of Advent and the lessons the little bear learns following the star of the Nativity. Absolutely wonderful.
>5 stars, wishing it could be more.
>5 stars, wishing it could be more.
January 7, 2009
Note from Dad: We got this from Aunt Alta and Uncle David Dec 2006, we read it nightly during Advent. A very excellent devotional for young and old.
December 25, 2011
We love reading the stories in this book each night during the Christmas season.
January 9, 2013
Love this every Advent!
December 27, 2012
it was really cute!! but i didnt like this mother bear character, she knew too much!!
December 27, 2012
Nice, one page, stories to read each day for Advent. The pictures were beautiful. I think I will read this again in a few years when our kids can truly appreciate the messages.
December 1, 2014
Mrs Goodey read the first story from this book to us in assembly this morning. You could hear a pin drop! The children loved it.
December 10, 2014
I read this to my siblings every advent, and they love it. This lovely book is something they look forward to.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews