Berenstain Bears co-creator Jan Berenstain dies at age 88 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-27-2012, 05:18 PM

Jan Berenstain, who with her husband Stan wrote and illustrated the Berenstain Bears books that have charmed preschoolers and their parents for 50 years, has died. She was 88.

Berenstain, a longtime resident of Solebury in southeastern Pennsylvania, suffered a severe stroke on Thursday and died Friday without regaining consciousness, her son Mike Berenstain said.

The gentle stories of Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Brother Bear and Sister Bear, were inspired by the Berenstain family. The stories addressed children's common concerns and aimed to offer guidance with coping with dentist visits, peer pressure, a new sibling or summer camp.

The first Berenstain Bears book, "The Big Honey Hunt," was published in 1962. Over the years, more than 300 titles have been released in 23 languages - most recently in Arabic and Icelandic - and have become a rite of passage for generations of young readers.

"They say jokes don't travel well, but family humor does," said Jan Berenstain told The Associated Press in 2011. "Family values is what we're all about."
Stan and Jan Berenstain, both Philadelphia natives, were 18 when they met on their first day at art school in 1941. They married five years later and had two sons.
Mike Berenstain is an illustrator who collaborated on the bear books with his mother in recent years. His elder brother, writer Leo Berenstain, is involved with the business end of the family franchise.
Jan Berenstain continued to work daily at her home studio in an idyllic part of Bucks County, north of Philadelphia, that served as inspiration for the books' setting.

"It's wonderful to do something you love for so many years," Jan Berenstain told the AP in 2011. "Not everyone has that."

About 260 million copies of Berenstain Bears books have been held in the hands of children and their parents since the earliest books were published with the help of Theodor Geisel, a children's books editor at Random House better known as Dr. Seuss.

Jan Berenstain is survived by her sons and four grandchildren.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...#ixzz1ncRSP8JX

MrCleveland · 02-27-2012, 10:55 PM

When did Stan Berenstain leave us?

catlover79 · 02-27-2012, 11:37 PM

Those books were a huge part of my childhood!!!

Brian Damage · 02-28-2012, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

When did Stan Berenstain leave us?

He died in 2005

megamanj2004 · 04-14-2012, 12:24 AM

Those books were a huge part of my childhood and the TV series will also have a special place in my heart.

R.I.P. to Stan and Jan Berenstain.

Schmoopie · 04-14-2012, 07:40 AM

Aww... That's sad! I love those books!

02-27-2012, 05:18 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Berenstain Bears co-creator Jan Berenstain dies at age 88 Jan Berenstain, who with her husband Stan wrote and illustrated the Berenstain Bears books that have charmed preschoolers and their parents for 50 years, has died. She was 88. Berenstain, a longtime resident of Solebury in southeastern Pennsylvania, suffered a severe stroke on Thursday and died Friday without regaining consciousness, her son Mike Berenstain said. The gentle stories of Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Brother Bear and Sister Bear, were inspired by the Berenstain family. The stories addressed children's common concerns and aimed to offer guidance with coping with dentist visits, peer pressure, a new sibling or summer camp. The first Berenstain Bears book, "The Big Honey Hunt," was published in 1962. Over the years, more than 300 titles have been released in 23 languages - most recently in Arabic and Icelandic - and have become a rite of passage for generations of young readers. "They say jokes don't travel well, but family humor does," said Jan Berenstain told The Associated Press in 2011. "Family values is what we're all about." Stan and Jan Berenstain, both Philadelphia natives, were 18 when they met on their first day at art school in 1941. They married five years later and had two sons. Mike Berenstain is an illustrator who collaborated on the bear books with his mother in recent years. His elder brother, writer Leo Berenstain, is involved with the business end of the family franchise. Jan Berenstain continued to work daily at her home studio in an idyllic part of Bucks County, north of Philadelphia, that served as inspiration for the books' setting. "It's wonderful to do something you love for so many years," Jan Berenstain told the AP in 2011. "Not everyone has that." About 260 million copies of Berenstain Bears books have been held in the hands of children and their parents since the earliest books were published with the help of Theodor Geisel, a children's books editor at Random House better known as Dr. Seuss. Jan Berenstain is survived by her sons and four grandchildren. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...#ixzz1ncRSP8JX
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02-27-2012, 10:55 PM	#2
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,235	When did Stan Berenstain leave us?
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

02-27-2012, 11:37 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Those books were a huge part of my childhood!!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-14-2012, 12:24 AM	#5
megamanj2004 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2004 Posts: 2,361	Those books were a huge part of my childhood and the TV series will also have a special place in my heart. R.I.P. to Stan and Jan Berenstain.
	__________________ 10 AND A HALF YEARS GOING STRONG!!!

04-14-2012, 07:40 AM	#6
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Aww... That's sad! I love those books!
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019