The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Grownups

The Berenstain Bears

by Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain (Contributor)

This classic Berenstain Bears story is a perfect way to teach children about empathy and appreciating family!

Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book® from Stan and Jan Berenstain. Brother and Sister think Mama and Papa are too bossy, so the Bear family decides to switch places so they can see what life is like through each other’s eyes. Includes over 50 bonus stickers!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Animals, Family, Juvenile, Kids

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1992

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

[Katherine]

On the menu this evening at the Bear house: peas, mashed potatoes & gravy and unnamed yellow blob.

[Steve Lamberty]

I remember this story from when I was a kid and I now look at it from a different perspective and can now sympathize with and relate to what my parents were going through when I was growing up as well. I used to think that the days of being young would last forever, that hangouts/parties/etc. would never change, but life hits hard and fast once you get past 25. The weekly grind sets in, all of a sudden your Facebook feed is full of wedding photos and baby pics instead of bar/club/concert/sporting events/etc. photos as well as party invites, half your friends move away, no one has time to hang out anymore, it's very hard to make new friends or even see the ones you still have on a regular basis, all the new music might sound "crappy" to you for whatever reason and you think that you can still party like you used to and then get proven otherwise. And then you realize that this is the part that goes on forever....

[Latifah Williams]

I think this book like many Berenstain Bears book would do a good job in teaching a lesson. The book is written from the perspective of Brother Bear and Sister Bear who feels that Papa Bear and Moma Bear are constantly nagging. I choose this book for my text set because of the message of respect for adults, no matter relation. As a literacy teacher, I will prompt a discussion on children taking care of their responsibilities. I believe students will be engaged in it because they all have responsibilities whether it is in the home or completing homework. The author does a good job in making the text relatable to lives of children and keeping the story unpredictable and humorous.

[Katt Hansen]

When have kids ever felt their parents understood how hard it is being a kid? When do parents ever feel as though the kids don't understand what they're going through? This book tackles both question in the usual funny and cute way the Berenstains handle every problem. When the kids strike back by putting on a play about grown-ups, the grown-ups feel turnabout is fair play and do the same (kinda) to the kids.

Honestly I found this whole book kind of silly, but then not every Berenstain Bears book hits it out of the park. I'm glad I read it, but it's not a favorite, more of a 'meh' which is a shame because there are some truly great books in the series.

[JJ Waggy]

This is actually quite delightful, both because there's a lightheartedness about it (i.e. the cubs don't get in trouble) and because it points out that cubs/kids and parents really don't see the whole scope of each other's lives.

The art of them in each other's uniforms is also so good. Well drawn, Berenstains. I think putting the parents and kids on an equal level--"I see you pointing out us but let's point out your flaws"--wasn't great because there's such a power differential and kids are so bound in by what their limited agency allows, but the recognition that parents are carrying things, too, was great. Yeah, this is a good one from the series.

[Pooja Banga]

Brother and Sister Bear's parents always seem to be nagging them about something, so the cubs decide to show how their parents annoy them by creating a play entitled "The Trouble with Grownups." Then Mama and Papa put on their own role-reversal skit, and everyone winds up learning something about themselves.
Sometimes kids and parents don't get along .. Both need to understand what other person is trying to say and must try to keep their point before other person ..

[Kelly Wickham]

Another cute story from the Bears. Brother and Sister Bear are feeling a bit harassed by the grown-ups. Life isn't feeling fair. So they decide to write a parody of their parents' behavior for a school play that is presented to family and friends. Mama and Papa Bear get a big kick out of it and after they get home, they decide to give Brother and Sister a taste of their own medicine. Brother and Sister aren't too impressed by it, but everyone had a good laugh in the end.

[Mari]

The parents are unreasonable so the cubs put on a play depicting them, which helps the parents understand how they seem to their cubs, then the parents turn around and start pretending to be cubs for the cubs to see how they seem to their parents... I keep reading Berenstain bear books to find ones I really recommend but I'm having a hard time.

[Read Ribbet]

This Little Free Library find focuses on the role reversal the Berenstain Bears partake in to give each other insights into their feelings. The kids put on a play acting like grown-ups. Then the parents dress up like the kids and act out their behaviors. Changing perspectives seems to provide insights for both sides.

[Danielle Williams]

Funny

[Adrianne]

I have grown to love this series for illustrating good morals and values. But I feel like this one could have driven the point home a bit more... not bad though!

[Sayo -bibliotequeish-]

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

[Jessica]

This was a fun one to explain how grownups feel and how kids feel.

[Carina Martin]

I know parents are good with kids.

[Hanna]

Absolutely hilarious! From beginning to end, perfect lesson on this trouble with grownups.

[Carolyn F.]

A book I read to my daughter.

[TJE]

One of parent's favorites but went over Tea's head for the most part. Will read again when she is older.

[Elizabeth Gallegos]

I like the message of seeing things from the other point of view.

[LydiLouWho]

Aunt Tracy bought this for me at a library sale!

[Melissa]

Modern Fantasy
k-3rd grade
I grew up reading all the Berenstain Bear books and remember this one quite well. The Bear family was always able to tackle difficult real-life problems that children might be facing with a balanced perspective. This book was able to show how both the cubs and the parents felt and it gives children something to think about. I enjoyed this book as a kid and still enjoyed reading it again.

[Shaye Webb]

Grade Level: K-2
Genre: Animal Fantasy

This book talked about all of the issues with parents and kids could face and arguments they could get into. I don’t think that young kids should be exposed to arguments or negativity about grown-ups like that.

[Allison Tubaugh]

Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Grade: k-2

Two little siblings just can’t seem to get along with their parents talk. They cause some trouble at home, but when it comes to the school parent night talent. Show they need an idea of what they will do. To find out what they choose, you’ll have to read the book.

[Olivia Bailey]

All students can relate to the problem that children have with parents. The book shows them a healthy way to express how they feel about the parents nagging. They put on a play about it to show the parents how it feels. The students can come up with ways to express their feeling to their parents about what is bothering them. A way to do that could be writing a letter to the parents. Students could then practice how to write a letter.

In reverse, the little bears learn about how hard it is to be a grownup. I would coem up with a game where the students must go through the day being grown up and doing certain things that grown ups do such as drive, pay bills, work, etc. The students could also write about there experience of being grown up for a day.

I would tie them together to show the students about different perspectives. Everyone sees things differently and we have to be mindful of others.

[Ethan]

Mama and Papa Bear are always mad at the cubs when they get into trouble. So they go to the night talent show at the cubs' school. At the talent show, the cubs put on a show called "The Trouble with Grownups." Papa Bear got grumpy at himself because he saw that he was always mad at the cubs. Mama Bear just cries and laughs when she saw the show. When the cubs wake up the next morning, there is a big surprise. They go into the kitchen and they see Mama and Papa dressed up as the cubs. They wanted to show the cubs what it's like being a grownup. Mama Bear who was dressed as Sister Bear said "I hope we're not having that ooey gooey oatmeal", and then Papa Bear said "ooey gooey oatmeal, ooey gooey oatmeal" and then they all went into the living room and it was a mess with things scattered on the ground. At the end, they all learned from each other.

[Shelli]

It was nice to see Mama Bear not be "the perfect mother" for once. Like all parents do from time to time, Papa and Mama both are being a bit short with their children... or cubs. Their frustration with the kids cause the cubs to become frustrated with the parents, the viscous cycle. Brother and Sister came up with idea to showcase their frustrations during the school talent show buy putting on a comedic true(ish) to life play called "The Trouble with Grownups." This book was a good reminder to stop for a moment and see the situation from the other persons perspective. Compromises and understandings will greatly increase.

[Книжни Криле]

Мечетата Беранстийн са истинска класика сред американските детски книжки. Класика като Доктор Сюс и неговите римувани небивалици. Класика като Любопитния Джордж на Маргрет и Х.А.Рей. Или като голямото червено куче Клифърд на Норман Бридуел. И точно като тези класики, Мечетата Беранстийн са (почти) непознати на българските деца. Време е да променим това! Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":

https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...

[Rosa Cline]

The meaning and lesson in this book is a good one but the story just didn't quite 'bring it home'. It drug out a little much and my granddaughter starting loosing interest. She very rarely ever looses interest in these books. Mama and Papa are always arguing or fussing and the cubs; and so the cubs decide to do a play and show the adults how it really feels to be around them, and then in turn the adults do the same for the kids. So they each can know what's been going on within their house.

[Laura Carby]

This is a great book to read to students because sometimes they forget that you have to listen to adults. Sometimes children think that they can do whatever they please and that adults don't know anything. Little do they know, that many adults are filled with rich knowledge and it would be a good thing to listen to them!

[↜ƈɦǟռ☂ɛℓℓɛ↝]

★★★★The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Grownups by Stan and Jan Berenstain
This is a good lesson for young kids. Often they think their parents are clueless. The moral of this one is to think about what the other person feels or thinks. Show children, that there are reasons behind the actions of their parents.

[Rachel]

I would recommend this book for children under the age of ten because of the message of the book. It discusses the lesson of how children think that parents don't understand them and has a great resolution where both parties understand each other better.