The Berenstain Bears Get Stage Fright

The Berenstain Bears

by Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain

When Sister Bear is given an important role in the school play, she's terrified that she might forget her lines.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

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

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little story about stage fright and being in a school play. The kids are putting on Grizzlystiltskin, I love that. Sister Bear, Brother Bear and Cousin Bear, first time I've seen the cousin and other family, all have parts in the play. Sister is very nervous so she practices her lines over and over and talks to her parents while brother knows his lines and doesn't worry about it. Sister Bear did wonderful and Brother Bear freezes on stage, but it all works out in the end. It's good theatre.

I love actors and the theatre, but as a kid I had an embarrassing performance in front of our church and it got in my way of being on stage until I was an adult. I still get extremely nervous in front of people. I suppose I am not meant to be actor this life, maybe the next one. I still love being around people who are good at the stage. It was a traumatic experience for me at the time so I understand how intense stage freight can be.

Both my niece and nephew would make better actors than me. They are outgoing and tougher than me. The nephew thought this was a good story. He's funny and he wants to be on stage. We went to see his older cousin perform in a play and after the play was over he went up on stage and wanted everyone to listen to him sing a song. He said he wouldn't get stage freight if it was him. He gave this 4 stars.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, this one has just become my favorite of this entire series so far. I really needed to hear this message today when everything feel so overwhelming. That moment when Sister doesn't know how she's going to be able to take the lead in the school play and Mama Bear tells her "You will learn it, one line at a time. One page at a time."

Laying in bed with the flu and a huge editing job in front of me, this is exactly the message I need to hear. I'll get through it, one line at a time. One page at a time. It's so easy to get caught up in how BIG a project can seem. This book is brilliant in that it reminds a child that it's easier to focus on the small goals that will make up the whole of the big. This is a wonderful reminder for all of us.

[Chris Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a huge fan myself, yet my son enjoys a lot.

[Rocheal Hoffman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stan and Jan Berenstain's picture/concept book discuss how important it is to stand up for yourself and speak with a strong voice. The book begins with the cubs speaking judgmentally about their teacher, and spins into Sister (one of the main characters) obtaining a part in the school play. This book sports simple sentences and neglects to use colorful language, making it unimaginative. The clumps of sentences are lengthy, still, which makes reading the simplicity a bit boring. The illustrations appear to be snapshots from the T.V. show, which is fine, but they lack creativity. The parents of the main characters lecture about stage fright, which may prove the concept meaningless to the young reader/listener. Although I think this book would be appropriate to have in a classroom library, I would not recommend it for advancing vocabulary or encouraging creative thinking. The Berenstain Bears bored me with this book.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Bear cubs are in a play for the school, Sister Bear gets the biggest part. She is scared and nervous wondering about what it will feel like to be in front of the entire school on stage that she's never done before. Brother Bear tells her it's not that bad at all and it's super easy. Throughout preparing for the play Brother remembers his lines everywhere and what ever he is doing. He teases Sister about forgetting and not being able to do it. But in the end it's actually Brother that gets stage fright! And Sister has to help him with his lines.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the first books I ever owned. It must have been given to me. I wrote notes in on the pages about what was happening. Reading those notes years later, I realized I had no clue what was happening in the story! Did I just skip the part about actually reading the words and go off of the pictures? How did I ever come up with what I did--and why?!? Oh well.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book about performance anxiety. I think what some people who are rating and reviewing this book are missing is the fact that the book does not suggest that there is a cure to stage fright. It states quite clearly that the performer will be nervous, and that expecting the nervousness makes it easier to deal with, but doesn't make it go away.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book that will be used to help students to overcome fear. This could be read on the first day of school or if students are doing a presentation in front of parents, classmates and other teachers.

[↜ƈɦǟռ☂ɛℓℓɛ↝ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★The Berenstain Bears Get Stage Fright by Stan and Jan Berenstain
What happens when Sister Bear gets picked for the school play, Grizzlystiltskin. She developes a case of stage fright. This book teaches to overcome your fears, and it will be ok.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I definitely didn't need this as a child. I would memorize the entire play and recite it over and over again. But I had it. It addresses the issue of stage fright very simply, and that's basically all it's about.

[Slow Man · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stage fright. Nerve-wrecking. Forgetting lines. Listening your own voice in a silent auditorium. These can be awful but it can be quite an experience too. The more you get on stage the easier it gets.
This one is an average book for me. Nonetheless it still brings up a real issue in school.

[angrykitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

my mom bought this for me when i tried out for the school play and didn't get a part...i ended up in the chorus. the funny thing is, i think i was in middle school.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading these types of books were fun, but never did anything at all to cure me of things like stage fright!

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wasn’t one of the best books in this series but it was one that I always asked for… honestly I think it was because of Sister’s pretty costume.

[Megan Sewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are great for families trying to teach children valuable life lessons, this one is great for shy kids.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids love all the Berenstain Bears books, and they don't realize there are important lessons in each story.

[Vesra (When She Reads)]

cute book always! Talking about sister bear trying to get over her stage fright.

[Kelsey Black]

These are classic books that are always teaching a moral or lesson for students to learn. This is a great book for grades 1st-3rd.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great niece Sabrina (about to turn 4) picked this book out to read on our visit in May 2014. And it just so happened it was the day before her first dance recital! Perfect timing.

[Georgina Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed many titles in the Berenstain Bears series. This book was no exception. When brother bear and sister bear get parts in the school play their adventure touches upon my own personal experiences of performing.

Performing can be exciting and fun, but also a bit scary. With support and a lot of practice it is possible to overcome these fears. Kids will enjoy this funny adventure.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is funny and funny when brother bear says his script upside down.

[Lucca · Rating 4 out of 5]

6yo: I liked that sister bear practiced her part and was able to perform.

[Sayo -bibliotequeish-]

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

Another version of sister-bear having anxiety about something and overcoming it.

[Heidi]

I feel like this was a bit better than the others I've been reviewing lately.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister Bear plays her part as the princess in Grizzlystiltskin well.

[Kelly]

Reading this is how we found out my stepdaughter does NOT want to be in a play but is willing to paint sets. Seems valid. haha.....I enjoyed this one.

[Stef · Rating 4 out of 5]

One from my childhood, so I think of it fondly. Sister's princess dress was always so beautiful to me as a kid. Brother is a ham in this one.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story about being afraid to perform.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

The message is pretty good all things told.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good lesson about forgetting (lines) to go with a Mister Rogers episode we were watching too.