Berenstain Bears Author Dies at 82 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

The Chauffeur · 11-29-2005, 09:44 PM

Berenstain Bears Author Dies at 82
Tuesday Nov 29, 2005 3:00pm EST

Children's author Stan Berenstain, who with his wife wrote more than 200 books about a family of bears, has died at age 82.

He passed away on Saturday in Pennsylvania, Audra Boltion, a spokeswoman for HarperCollins Children's Books, tells the Associated Press.

The Berenstain Bears books, written by Stan and his wife Jan Berenstain, helped children cope with trips to the dentist, eating junk food and cleaning their messy rooms. The first of their bear books, The Great Honey Hunt, was published in 1962.

The pair began drawing together when they "met in Miss Sweeny's drawing class on the first day of art school at Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art in 1941," according to their Web site. The couple developed the series with Theodor Geisel – better known as Dr. Seuss – who then headed children's publishing at Random House.

Stan and Jan married soon after he got out of World War II-era Army service and began submitting cartoons to magazines, according to AP. While Stan served in the military, Jan did engineering drawing for military contractors and worked as a riveter in an aircraft factory. The couple eventually got into the book business when an editor at a New York publishing house, who had seen their magazine cartoons, asked if they would like to do a book.

The couple's sons, Leo and Michael, joined their parents in creating the books, and many of the recent works are credited collectively to "The Berenstains." The characters have also starred on public TV, in DVDs and in a Christmas musical.

gilligan fanatic · 11-29-2005, 10:06 PM

RIP

the books bring back a lot of good memories. I used to be part of the book club. I have a ton of them. I always liked the one where they ended up at a giant mall or something like that. I remember reading that one the most. As for the show I think I saw the Christmas special in CCD but that is about it.

PZelda · 11-29-2005, 10:08 PM

They also have a Berenstain Bears attraction at Valleyfair (amusement park) in Shakopee, MN. They have a storytelling hour and everything there...even have the family wandering around there (costumed, of course). There is one area of the attraction where you can go inside and they have all these really cool scientific things you can do.

I looooooved the Berenstain Bears attraction, AND I loved the books.

I was a huge fan when I was a kid...still have my plushies somewhere. I think I only had the Brother and Sister ones, but they were my absolute fave plushies! Sigh...

swedeace · 11-29-2005, 10:08 PM

That IS sad. I loved the Berenstein Bears book series!!!

James"Thunder"Early · 11-29-2005, 10:09 PM

I have a ton of Berenstain Bear books I've collected for years and I watch the cartoon on PBS sometimes. They were the best written children's books I've ever seen.

AD FAN · 11-30-2005, 12:17 AM

I loved the Berenstain Bears books and videos/tv shows. It was only a couple of months ago when I realized it wasn't Bernstein, but Berenstain. weird.

PrettyinPink55 · 11-30-2005, 01:33 AM

I LOVED The Berenstain Bears! They were a BIG part of my childhood! I am so sad to see that the author has passed away.

He will definetly be remembered!

R.I.P.

ABlairican Pie · 11-30-2005, 01:55 AM

I loved the Berenstain Bears! I haven't felt this sad since Richard Scarrey died a few years ago.

Ever noticed how the Mama Bear always dressed in that nightgown and cap? It never changed. For some reason it makes me think of Marge Simpson.

sara · 11-30-2005, 02:28 AM

That's so sad. I loved the Berenstain Bears.

Superstar · 11-30-2005, 04:24 AM

RIP.

Mijada · 11-30-2005, 06:57 AM

Oh, That's sad

I lovw those books. I didn't realize the authors were that old.

Karen* · 12-01-2005, 01:56 AM

I loved the Berenstain Bears.

I LOVE FACTS OF LIFE · 12-21-2005, 02:01 AM

Funny, I said the whole thing about him dieing a day before this guy did and I didnt get any respones but this guy gets 10. Figures

11-29-2005, 09:44 PM	#1
The Chauffeur Good Evening... Senior Member Join Date: Jan 24, 2005 Location: Under the sun Posts: 2,866	Berenstain Bears Author Dies at 82 Berenstain Bears Author Dies at 82 Tuesday Nov 29, 2005 3:00pm EST Children's author Stan Berenstain, who with his wife wrote more than 200 books about a family of bears, has died at age 82. He passed away on Saturday in Pennsylvania, Audra Boltion, a spokeswoman for HarperCollins Children's Books, tells the Associated Press. The Berenstain Bears books, written by Stan and his wife Jan Berenstain, helped children cope with trips to the dentist, eating junk food and cleaning their messy rooms. The first of their bear books, The Great Honey Hunt, was published in 1962. The pair began drawing together when they "met in Miss Sweeny's drawing class on the first day of art school at Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art in 1941," according to their Web site. The couple developed the series with Theodor Geisel – better known as Dr. Seuss – who then headed children's publishing at Random House. Stan and Jan married soon after he got out of World War II-era Army service and began submitting cartoons to magazines, according to AP. While Stan served in the military, Jan did engineering drawing for military contractors and worked as a riveter in an aircraft factory. The couple eventually got into the book business when an editor at a New York publishing house, who had seen their magazine cartoons, asked if they would like to do a book. The couple's sons, Leo and Michael, joined their parents in creating the books, and many of the recent works are credited collectively to "The Berenstains." The characters have also starred on public TV, in DVDs and in a Christmas musical.
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11-29-2005, 10:06 PM	#2
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	RIP the books bring back a lot of good memories. I used to be part of the book club. I have a ton of them. I always liked the one where they ended up at a giant mall or something like that. I remember reading that one the most. As for the show I think I saw the Christmas special in CCD but that is about it.
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11-29-2005, 10:08 PM	#3
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,237	They also have a Berenstain Bears attraction at Valleyfair (amusement park) in Shakopee, MN. They have a storytelling hour and everything there...even have the family wandering around there (costumed, of course). There is one area of the attraction where you can go inside and they have all these really cool scientific things you can do. I looooooved the Berenstain Bears attraction, AND I loved the books. I was a huge fan when I was a kid...still have my plushies somewhere. I think I only had the Brother and Sister ones, but they were my absolute fave plushies! Sigh...
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

11-29-2005, 10:09 PM	#5
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	I have a ton of Berenstain Bear books I've collected for years and I watch the cartoon on PBS sometimes. They were the best written children's books I've ever seen.
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11-30-2005, 12:17 AM	#6
AD FAN American Dreams Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 08, 2004 Location: New York Posts: 386	I loved the Berenstain Bears books and videos/tv shows. It was only a couple of months ago when I realized it wasn't Bernstein, but Berenstain. weird.
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11-29-2005, 10:08 PM	#4
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	That IS sad. I loved the Berenstein Bears book series!!!

11-30-2005, 01:33 AM	#7
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	I LOVED The Berenstain Bears! They were a BIG part of my childhood! I am so sad to see that the author has passed away. He will definetly be remembered! R.I.P.
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11-30-2005, 01:55 AM	#8
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	I loved the Berenstain Bears! I haven't felt this sad since Richard Scarrey died a few years ago. Ever noticed how the Mama Bear always dressed in that nightgown and cap? It never changed. For some reason it makes me think of Marge Simpson. Attached Images
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11-30-2005, 02:28 AM	#9
sara Member Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2002 Location: grandville michigan Posts: 2,296	That's so sad. I loved the Berenstain Bears.
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11-30-2005, 04:24 AM	#10
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	RIP.

11-30-2005, 06:57 AM	#11
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	Oh, That's sad I lovw those books. I didn't realize the authors were that old.
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12-01-2005, 01:56 AM	#12
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	I loved the Berenstain Bears.
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12-21-2005, 02:01 AM	#13
I LOVE FACTS OF LIFE Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 10, 2005 Posts: 258	Funny, I said the whole thing about him dieing a day before this guy did and I didnt get any respones but this guy gets 10. Figures