Down a Sunny Dirt Road: An Autobiography

by Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain

Once upon a time, in Mrs. Sweeney’s first year drawing class at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art, a “lantern-jawed exotic†named Stan admired the drawing of a brown-haired, blue-eyed girl named Janice . . . and it was kismet! It also heralded the birth of one of the great collaborations in all of children’s literature: Stan and Jan Berenstain, creators of the Berenstain Bears.

This enormously readable account tells of the early years before they met, their courtship (briefly interrupted by World War II), married life, and their first fateful meeting with Theodor Seuss Geisel–the editor-in-chief and president of Beginner Books.

It was this fateful meeting that led to the publication of The Big Honey Hunt–the book that launched
their careers as children’s book artists and introduced to the world what would quickly become America’s first family of bears: the Berenstain Bears.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Memoir, Autobiography, Childrens

202 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2002

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

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Berenstain Bears series. Every time my mom would take me to the library as a kid I always picked out 1 Berenstain Bear book and 1 Arthur book. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the Berenstain Bear books. I would also love to read a biography on Marc Brown the author of Arthur.

[Nann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how I missed this wonderful autobiography when it was published in 2001. I'm glad I discovered it in the library used book store, because I'm going to keep it!

[Andrea Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun biography about the infamous Berenstain family. Loved this book, and I'm excited to add it to our collection one day.

[Macy Tone · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Down A Sunny Dirt Road" an autobiography by Stan and Jan Berenstain, was a great picture autobiography book about the successful lives of the Berenstains. They talked about how they met and how they were both in Word War II. I loved reading Jan's description of working as an aircraft riveter during World War II and Stan's story of becoming an army medical artist. They were both born artists and had natural talent. It talks about their first encounters with Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) who was their boss at that time. He helped them get their books started and gave them a great start in succeeding their lives as children authors. I liked how this book wasn't entirely about the Berenstain Bears, but about how they came to the point of being successful authors. I was really interested in reading this autobiography to help me with my author/illustrator guide and to give me a clear and concise understanding of their family. I think it's great how their son, Michael, continues to write the Berenstain books and continues with the success of these books. It also included their favorite scenes in the books as well as their favorite illustrations that Jan drew. They were such a sweet couple and really made for each other. I loved reading the Berenstain Bear books when I was younger and reading this picture autobiography brought me back to those childhood days.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book chronicling the lives of Stan and Jan Berenstain and how they met and began the series of Berenstain Bears books, I never knew that Dr. Seuss was the one who got them started! I loved the Berenstain Bear books growing up and I still do and my favorite part of this book is where Stan and Jan explain why they don't want to retire yet and how they travel everyday to "a lovely, salubrious place where honeybees hum, where rainbow trout match rainbow skies, where rivers run clean and the air is sweet, where there's beauty around every bend in the sunny dirt road. Its a wonderful place. Its called Bear Country."

[Rhonda Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this autobiographical book about Jan and Stan Berenstain. I enjoyed reading about their parallel lives growing up and how they met. I loved reading about the ups and downs and the back stories of writing the Berenstain Bears books, especially when "Dr. Seuss" entered the picture. He wanted to change their characters and story line to be more inline with the Seuss books! As a new author, I related to the challenges they faced as author / illustrators. This was an easy read book with lots of humor, great art and illustrations, and real-life photos of and by the Berenstains. I loved it!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the autobiography of the Berenstein Bears and how they grew up and the rough times they went through when they began creating the Berenstein Bears books which are now very popular children's books.

[Rebecca]

I loved Berenstain Bear books as a kid (okay, so I still love them now!), so I was excited to stumble across this autobiography.

[Jacklyn Azar]

Your childhood is something you will never forget. This book goes through a whole lifetime about two dreamers who had a journey they would never forget. In this book, Stan and Jan go through their lives together, and what their world was like during World War II, and how their illustrations and art helped them build a career in children's literature. While I was reading this book, I had many questions pop up in my head that eventually got answered when I kept reading. The two do a very good job at giving their audience detailed information about their early lives, how they met, the challenges they encountered, and their rise to fame. Major themes I found while reading were creativity, working hard, and growth. Creativity was shown heavily throughout this autobiography because Stan and Jan were both artists, and their imagination came to life when writing and illustrating children's books. Another theme I found to be a key theme was hard work and growth. It was very apparent how the couple never stopped working and worked hard for what they wanted. They both grew up during the Great Depression, and while working to eventually become worldwide authors, they had many challenges and interferences come in the way, but this never stopped them from continuing to fight for what they dreamed of. The main genre of this book is autobiography, because it is an inside of the Berenstain's life and who they are. Through reading this book, children can learn why it is so important to work hard for what they want, and to never let something or someone get in their way for being who they want to be in life. Children need to understand that there is so much you can do in your life, even if you feel like you can't. I think this autobiography did a very good job at setting the idea up that working hard and growth are always going to make you the best version of yourself, and it's good for children to read at a younger age. This book was a WOW for me because even at my age, it really changed my mindset, and is a good motivational book for young adults to read as well.

The author used multiple literary devices and other forms of writing crafts in this book. First, the author used the writing craft technique of contrast. An example of this writing craft from this book is when the author showed the downs and ups of their lives and how bad situations eventually will and can turn into greatness. This writing craft technique enhanced the quality of this book by helping young readers understand that life works in many ways and being determined is so important for their future. Second, the author used the writing craft technique of dialogue as well. An example of this writing craft used was throughout the book when the author would quote direct conversations between other people. This writing craft technique enhanced the book because it felt more engaging and real. I would consider this book to be anti-bias because it goes through real-life stories, and it's an autobiography.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book for young children to read, but I loved it! It's for anybody who at any time read about the Bear family. First, I was enticed by the idea of learning about Stan and Jan when I found out they had an autobiography. It's been few years since I've read many of the Berenstain Bears books to my own kiddos (who are teenagers now), but not that many years. These books still feel fresh and new to me, and absolutely timeless. When I got this book from the library's pickup window during the scamdemic, I immediately held it with both hands, to my chest, and couldn't wait to dig in and enjoy. I brought it home and soon enough took a picture of the front cover and texted it to my mom. It is such a beautiful book! We have a whole section of our living room library that contains several of the chapter books and many of the regular elementary age paperbacks and a couple of the early readers where everything rhymes. Ah, the bears! They teach you a lot about life and about your own self, if you're being really honest. I loved hearing about how they worked with Ted and others I felt like, "Ah, I know him too!" and had never known that they had worked together, or what influences they might've had on each other. This couple must've been so much fun! They were such an amazing team and seemed so humble even though they were so wonderful. What great senses of humor they had, too, it sounds like, and fabulous perseverance. I loved the list of books in the back. I loved the timeline of their lives. The chapters were great to read--from her point of view, and his, and then theirs together, both getting to speak and share their parts. They related to each other so well. It was fun to see their favorite scenes and parts of the story, and some of the other art they did, and books I had no idea they or their son had written. I hope these books stay forever and don't become so "old" that they're hard to find. I would love to own this actual book, so I may just make that happen soon. And of course I'm going to go enjoy rereading some of our favorites with the kids. I first heard about these books when our teacher's aide at school would read them to us. They were longer than a lot of the books we would get to listen to in the middle of the day, so our reading time was longer, and I liked that. The one about Sister Bear having the bad dreams was one of my favorites because that is exactly the way the brain mixes up the things from your day and suddenly you're EVER SO FRIGHTENED of paper dolls coming after you. My brain would do that for sure! The bears are so real and relatable. I'm so glad I found this book. I may go look. Maybe there are more books about Stan and Jan.

[Mindbait]

I've always loved the Berenstain bears books as a child. I still enjoy them now (as do my children) and reading this book gives me some insight as to why.

I am in love with the Berenstains' love. The book starts with Stan and Jan doing a chapter apiece until they get to the point where they get married then they write it together.

Reading their early stories it feels almost natural that they should meet and fall in love. Their love for each other and mutual respect for each other's strengths and talents is evident in the book, and once they start writing it together it's hard to figure out who is writing which part (which I guess makes sense for a couple who have been working together for the majority of their adult lives).

The book is loaded with charm, humour, humanity and of course (given the subject) art. Couldn't recommend this enough to fans of their books.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this biography 20+ years after it was published. When my library hold came up, I was surprised to pick up a large format, full color book full of illustrations and pictures. I wasn't expecting that, but how could an autobiography about two illustrators be done otherwise?

Overall, this is a quick and fun read (under 200 illustration heavy pages). The early lives were a little slow, but the origins of getting their material published was riveting for me (especially working directly with Dr. Seuss!). The book seems aimed at a middle-grade audience (and is shelved in the J section at my library), but I was mystified by the number of words that came up that I'd never seen as a well-read adult. I didn't expect an "I can read it by myself" rhyming book, but I would have thought an editor would have flagged some of those for some more common word choices!

[Neal Tognazzini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the Berenstain Bear books when I was a kid, and I’ve enjoyed reading them to my daughter too, so it was cool to get this peek behind the scenes. I had no idea, for example, the the authors were already famous well before what I think of as the “first” Berenstain Bear book came out - New Baby. And it was fun reading about their intimate connection with Dr. Seuss. Oh and their non-famous artwork is truly impressive. But the storytelling wasn’t great - a biographer probably would have had a better sense of what details to leave in and which to leave out. Also there was only one chapter about the Berenstain Bear books, at least the ones I knew as a kid. Kind of felt like the authors got tired of writing their biography toward the end and rushed it along.

[Wintermote · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful book! The Berenstains have such a great voice and humor. It seemed to be extremely detailed at the beginning of the book and then fewer details as they started publishing their BB books—I would’ve enjoyed more details regarding their personal lives during that time. I would also say there were some details or ways things that were presented that I thought didn’t make appropriate for children... seems this should be a YA or adult book because of that.

[Sabra Kurth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very gentle memoir. The alternating narrative was fun—the early years with their artwork from art school was a reminder that seemingly simple illustrations only appear that way, still waters run deep. Can’t imagine working side by side with my husband for 60 years.

The B Book was a favorite story to read to my girls.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved The Berenstain Bears books as a child, so as an adult, I bought a lot of them for my own children. I enjoyed reading about Stan and Jan Berenstain. I learned a lot about them and had no idea that they had worked with Dr. Seuss. I really liked seeing their old sketches and learning about how the Berenstain Bears came to be.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. I grew up reading the Berenstain Bears and must have at least 20 of their books. My son loves them too. Stan and Jan’s illustrated autobiography was a fascinating and heartwarming glimpse into the lives of the creators of the beloved bear family. I loved how they illustrated their lives. Highly recommend reading this book if you are a Berenstain bear fan.

[Treasure Island Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps you are not familiar with Stan and Jan Berenstain. Perhaps you missed the Berenstain Bears craze, but one look into this richly illustrated memoir will make you nostalgic for a time when children's cartoons were gentler and less superheroic. I loved visiting with the Berenstains and reading about how they learned to draw, how they met and finally married, and how Dr. Seuss was both a blessing and a curse to their careers. Very entertaining.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book - the beginning was pretty interesting (Stan and Jan are amazing artists!) and I love all the old photos… but then it went downhill. Stan seems annoying and the second half felt rushed.

[aarifa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I've never heard of this book before! I am so glad I picked it up. I never thought of reading about Stan and Jan Berenstein before, even though I've read a number of their books!

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super interesting! It is a little advance for children and should be cataloged for teens or adults who grew up reading The Berenstain Bears.

[Rushel Grillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming story from these beloved authors.

[Pamela Mettler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The originators of The Bearenstein Bears 🐻. Need I say more? I had such a pleasure meeting one of the authors in a telephone conversation when I worked for a publishing company.

[Poleyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the ratio of paragraphs to pictures. I wish I could find more children’s author bios like this!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Berenstain Bears are my favorite books from my childhood, and I was so excited to find out that the authors Stan and Jan had written an autobiography. I loved reading about their lives through the Great Depression, art school, WWII, and other works they published before their HUGE success with the bears. And then how they developed the Bears with Dr. Seuss! It starts a little slow and detail-y, but once they get into writing about their married years and working together as a husband and wife team, the pace picks up. If you love the Berenstain Bears, you'll love this book.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pretty interesting look at the creators of The Berenstain Bears. Thankfully, it focused very little on the Bears themselves, but instead dug into the lives (Stan and Jan told their 'early years' stories in alternating chapters) of the authors. The most interesting part, by far, was the section that covered Stan and Jan's dealings with their early boss, Theodore Geisel, aka Dr. Suess (how's that for insulting!). He comes across as a mad genius and is actually dead on with his criticism, praise, and advice for the aspiring children's book authors. It's also worth noting that Stan and Jan had/have some serious fine arts chops (the 'serious' art work they have produced is included and is actually pretty stunning), but it seems they are happy to keep on keeping on with the lucrative Berenstain Bears books. Good for them! Viva capitalism! Take, take, take!

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly delightful book! Stan and Jan Berenstain take turns telling about their childhood, adolescence, courtship, and career. The text is generously peppered with both original illustrations and examples of the Berenstains' fine art and earlier published cartoons. I loved reading Jan's description of working as an aircraft riveter during World War II and Stan's story of becoming an army medical artist. And the Berenstains' description of the meeting and relationship with Theodor Seuss Geisel is entertaining. The librarian in me appreciated the comprehensive Berenstain bibliography at the end of the book.

[Jena Gardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter is soooo obsessed with the Berenstain Bears. I cringe at some of the messages and very traditional gender roles, but I also remember loving these books when I was little. I thought reading this might help me appreciate them more, after all they have had an enduring career in a tough market. Basically, I was amazed at the fact that they are both classically trained artists. Other than that, the only thing of note in this book for me was the fact that Dr. Suess must have been a royal pain in the rump to work with!

[M.L.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This turned out to be a lot more interesting than I had anticipated. I loved reading about the Berenstains' early career--cartoons, Hallmark cards, ad campaigns--and their struggle to get a children's book published. Their first meeting with Ted (Dr. Seuss) about their first book (Freddy Bear Gets a Spanking, which eventually morphed into The Big Honey Hunt)is a riot.

However, I was a little disappointed that the autobiography basically ends once they've reached the picture book goal. Once their Berenstain Bears First Time books took off, the book is wrapped up in a few pages.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book is written for children, it is an engagingly written and illustrated autobiography of two of America’s most renowned author/illustrators. The Berenstain Bears are a staple of children’s literature and reading about the lives of the creators opens up a little window on how exactly the favorite bear family was created. The segment that discusses Dr. Seuss is also fascinating and gives the reader a glimpse of the creative process behind developing a children’s book. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it for all ages.