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The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears Clean House
Join the Berenstain Bears in another exciting addition to the classic New York Times bestselling series! It is time for Spring Cleaning and the Bears’ decide to have a yard sale. Mama Bear goes through the house gathering up all sorts of tattered things—but each tattered thing seems to be someone’s favorite tattered thing! Perhaps Spring Cleaning will just have to wait until next year.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
15 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Stan Berenstain
905 books697 followersStan 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 2, 2009
I read this to my godchildren last night . . . one of four Berenstain Bears books we read. This one struck me as weird. The Bear family decides that the house is too cluttered, so they decide to have a yard sale to sell all the broken stuff. But everybody loves their old broken stuff, so they store it all in the attic and decide not to have a yard sale. But what about cleaning the attic? the kids ask. We were going to clean the house from top to bottom, right? Mother says, We'll clean the attic another day.
Soooooo, what have we learned?
1) Broken things are for keeping, not for fixing, selling, giving away, donating, repurposing, or recycling.
2) Move your stuff to the attic so you don't have to look at it.
3) Don't finish a job if it seems difficult and/or boring.
Anyone who has ever visited my home knows that I FULLY AND COMPLETELY AGREE with all these messages. It just seems odd to read them in a children's book, especially one that is part of a series that promotes sharing, having manners, turning off the TV, etc.
So, yeah, pretty good book. But I prefer the Frances the Badger book where Frances's parents let her eat all the junk food she wants.
Soooooo, what have we learned?
1) Broken things are for keeping, not for fixing, selling, giving away, donating, repurposing, or recycling.
2) Move your stuff to the attic so you don't have to look at it.
3) Don't finish a job if it seems difficult and/or boring.
Anyone who has ever visited my home knows that I FULLY AND COMPLETELY AGREE with all these messages. It just seems odd to read them in a children's book, especially one that is part of a series that promotes sharing, having manners, turning off the TV, etc.
So, yeah, pretty good book. But I prefer the Frances the Badger book where Frances's parents let her eat all the junk food she wants.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2011
What a STUPID book! I was angry when I finished reading it to my son.
The Berenstain Bears decide to clean the house. But in each room, they find clutter. They can tell that the clutter is useless- torn, ripped, cracked, broken. So they decide to have a yard sale. But once they get outside to have their yard sale, they look at all their "cherished" items (crap they haven't taken care of in a long time, crap they no longer want). They're sad to see it go, so they haul it up to the attic. The stupid end.
When I finished the book, I told my son that it was a stupid book. Then we talked about how you don't need to hold onto junk that's broken, that you no longer need. Just get rid of it.
I wish I could give this book negative stars.
The Berenstain Bears decide to clean the house. But in each room, they find clutter. They can tell that the clutter is useless- torn, ripped, cracked, broken. So they decide to have a yard sale. But once they get outside to have their yard sale, they look at all their "cherished" items (crap they haven't taken care of in a long time, crap they no longer want). They're sad to see it go, so they haul it up to the attic. The stupid end.
When I finished the book, I told my son that it was a stupid book. Then we talked about how you don't need to hold onto junk that's broken, that you no longer need. Just get rid of it.
I wish I could give this book negative stars.
January 8, 2010
Since we were cleaning today, I thought this was appropriate. It's about spring cleaning, so a little different than just a weekly duty thing. And in the end, they don't end up getting rid of anything. How am I to stop my son from picking up my "save everything" gene without any help?
March 23, 2023
This now really goes against how I clean. Not everything needs to be kept, especially when broken and I don't need to reenforce this idea of keeping everything with my kids.
January 7, 2019
My daughter, like my boys and me before her love the Berenstain books. This story was no exception, especially for a little girl that has a hard time of letting go of things also.
April 28, 2013
★The Berenstain Bears Clean House by Stan Berenstain
This book starts off good. We have the Bear family doing their spring cleaning. Every where they look, there is a lot of junk. They decide, it would be a good idea to have a garage sale. So, they take everything outside, to prep, but everyone has sentimental attachment, and they put it all in the attic.
What? Serious! I don't know why this story took such a stupid turn. It started off good, wanting to get rid of stuff they didn't need. Although since most of it was crappy, torn, ripped junk, they should have thrown it in the trash. Then, instead of the garage sale, they throw all the junk in the attic, to deal with another day.
This is an awful message to send to children. Let's create the next generation, for the show "Hoarders." Why?
This book starts off good. We have the Bear family doing their spring cleaning. Every where they look, there is a lot of junk. They decide, it would be a good idea to have a garage sale. So, they take everything outside, to prep, but everyone has sentimental attachment, and they put it all in the attic.
What? Serious! I don't know why this story took such a stupid turn. It started off good, wanting to get rid of stuff they didn't need. Although since most of it was crappy, torn, ripped junk, they should have thrown it in the trash. Then, instead of the garage sale, they throw all the junk in the attic, to deal with another day.
This is an awful message to send to children. Let's create the next generation, for the show "Hoarders." Why?
April 24, 2014
I liked where this was going - everyone agreed there was too much stuff in the house and they were choosing things that belonged to each person to sell. I thought, "YAY! This will help me convince CC to get rid of some of her stuff!"
Then they decided to just throw everything in the attic instead. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Then they decided to just throw everything in the attic instead. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
August 20, 2015
A confusing book - they do a clean up but don't get rid of anything. The title suggests an alternate ending! Maybe it should be Make Memories or Collect Memories!
Fun story but lacking the moral the title suggests.
Fun story but lacking the moral the title suggests.
June 26, 2016
It maybe that my perspective is different because I live in a place where space is premium. But if it is broken or unused it should be fixed, repurposed or thrown away. An attic is not a place to store broken and unused things.
July 3, 2017
Super super cute. It's funny how we all want to get rid of everyone else's items but not our own haha. Love the illustrations and story
June 1, 2018
The Berenstain Bears start cleaning house. Which is good. They find old broken things they no longer need and decide to have a yard sale. Honestly? A broken bat? A broken lamp? They need a dumpster. No one wants that stuff.
But then the book takes a nasty turn. Everyone decides they like their stuff. So they put it all in the attic and cancel the yard sale.
Meant to be silly, the author forgets that the Berenstain Bears are supposed to teach us something. Here, how to get rid of things we no longer need. The lesson here is a very bad one. I need help decluttering not an excuse to hold onto everything I own! Let's not give our children this problem.
Stupid book.
But then the book takes a nasty turn. Everyone decides they like their stuff. So they put it all in the attic and cancel the yard sale.
Meant to be silly, the author forgets that the Berenstain Bears are supposed to teach us something. Here, how to get rid of things we no longer need. The lesson here is a very bad one. I need help decluttering not an excuse to hold onto everything I own! Let's not give our children this problem.
Stupid book.
April 12, 2022
Many reviewers complained that this book promotes hoarding and clutter. On pages 30-31, the living room appeared far tidier than at the beginning of the story. I don't think they should have given away those items considering they were in disrepair. That's an important lesson: only give or sell away items that are still in sound condition.
I stand by my opinion.
I stand by my opinion.
June 16, 2022
Berenstein Bears decide to declutter by having a yard sale to get rid of various damaged items. Why would anyone want to buy your old, broken and useless items? Then they decide against doing any cleaning up at all and move these items to the attic out of sight. No decluttering or cleaning was done.
October 11, 2018
My son has begun to fall in love with The Berenstain Bears. He loves the family and how they work together. Their situations in the books also help him connect to real world events and the books have good moral and value lessons.
September 18, 2019
Why are they keeping all this old, broken crap? Hoarders. Throw it away, Bears! No one wants to buy it at your yard sale either.
September 24, 2019
If you were hoping the berenstain bears would teach your kids their typical moral lesson in this book, you're wrong! Albeit a funny story, it teaches hoarding haha.
February 4, 2020
A lesson in hoarding items that need to go for a garage sale. But they change their mind and nothing gets done. They need Marie Kondo. Badly
January 30, 2022
What a great book
January 2, 2024
Really funny, but the resolution was weird. 😁 😵💫 😕
July 22, 2025
Basic and repetitive
March 2, 2018
This book shows how cleaning a house may lead to wanting to keep things that are broken. This was still a fun read!
Lexile Measure: AD38OL
DRA Level: 18
Six Traits: Ideas, Voice
Lexile Measure: AD38OL
DRA Level: 18
Six Traits: Ideas, Voice
March 30, 2021
I thought that this book was a great way to teach kids to to clean up and not just clean up, but deep clean. It is a great book for kids who love picture books and if you want students or kids to want to clean read them this book.
The trait is: “ideas”
The level is: 4-8 years old
Book level:
Lexile measure: AD380L
ATOS LEVEL: 4.1
The trait is: “ideas”
The level is: 4-8 years old
Book level:
Lexile measure: AD380L
ATOS LEVEL: 4.1
March 10, 2016
Synopsis: "It's time for spring cleaning and the Bear family decides to have a yard sale. Mama Bear goes through the house gathering up all sorts of tattered things—but each tattered thing seems to be someone's favourite tattered thing! Perhaps spring cleaning will just have to wait until next year."
My Review: I picked this book up to help Munchkin get into spring cleaning mode with the rest of the family. This book initially helps with that, going through the big chores and general clearing out of the house. Unfortunately, the things that everyone decides to clear out end up back in the house. That is not exactly the message I wanted Munchkin to get from the book but it is still a fun story to read. It is also great for those beginning readers, with simple sentences, words and actions.
My Review: I picked this book up to help Munchkin get into spring cleaning mode with the rest of the family. This book initially helps with that, going through the big chores and general clearing out of the house. Unfortunately, the things that everyone decides to clear out end up back in the house. That is not exactly the message I wanted Munchkin to get from the book but it is still a fun story to read. It is also great for those beginning readers, with simple sentences, words and actions.
January 24, 2016
This book is another example of why I tell myself that I should always read my kids' books before I read it to them, along with the 500 other things I should do. I skimmed this book and saw the pages that show each member of the family choosing belongings to sell in a yard sale. I wrongly concluded that this book would help my son understand the idea that belongings have a useful lifespan. I thought the book would normalize the idea of ridding one's belongings that one no longer needs. Boy was I wrong. In the end every member of the family decides that they each love their stuff too much to get rid of anything. Then they store all their stuff in the attic. This was exactly the kind of thing I didn't want my son to think we should do! I won't be keeping this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2011
Cleaning their house brings about a lot of trouble for the Berenstain Bears. They want to get rid of stuff they have had forever at a yard sale, but cannot bring themselves to do it. This book could bring up many instances of giving things away to people who need them more, saving things of sentiment, and even just cleaning in particular. Would recommend to 2-3 grade; should be able to read on their own and indulge in the pictures of each family member. Although there is a takeback in the end, with the yard sale not happening, there are other morals that could be brought up after reading this story.
December 18, 2016
It's a Level 1 reading book, so simple phrases for the beginner readers.
Its Spring in Bear Country and the Bear Family decide to clean house they start with the basement and find some of Papa Bears things and decide to have a yard sale, then they move to the living room area and find some of Mama's things, then move to the cubs' room and find more stuff. They try and have the yard sale but decide that all their things are still precious to them so they take it all back in and put it in the attic with their other items they want to keep.
Its Spring in Bear Country and the Bear Family decide to clean house they start with the basement and find some of Papa Bears things and decide to have a yard sale, then they move to the living room area and find some of Mama's things, then move to the cubs' room and find more stuff. They try and have the yard sale but decide that all their things are still precious to them so they take it all back in and put it in the attic with their other items they want to keep.
March 29, 2014
Easy read with simple sentences that are familiar. Kids would be eager to read this book to parents. This book has soft colors and pictures that make it fun to read. It starts off with teaching kids about family time, helping out to clean your home and taking pride in your work. The end completely throws me off. Why after all that work, you still keep the things you wanted to get rid of in the first place.
Berenstain, J & Berenstain, S (2005) The Berenstain Bears Clean House.
New York, NY; HarperCollins publishers Inc.
Berenstain, J & Berenstain, S (2005) The Berenstain Bears Clean House.
New York, NY; HarperCollins publishers Inc.
June 10, 2012
It is time for spring cleaning in the Bear tree house, and Mama Bear plans a yard sale. But the Bears soon discover that those old, worn things are each beloved by someone, so they pack them away for another day.
In real life, it is not really feasible to perpetually keep everything you own, but the tale is amusing for beginning readers, and the Bears' solution to the problem would work for a while. Early readers, ages 5-7.
In real life, it is not really feasible to perpetually keep everything you own, but the tale is amusing for beginning readers, and the Bears' solution to the problem would work for a while. Early readers, ages 5-7.
July 15, 2012
I love the Berenstain bears books, but this one had a cute beginning but not so good ending. It's a good story as far as beginner level reading is concerned. But, the it condones hoarding objects in your attic. That might sound silly of me to say but I'm a HUGE donater to Goodwill and Salvation Army so shoving stuff back in the attic is NEVER something I want to teach our child. Cute book with great pictures but moral is lower than expected. Two stars for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews