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The Bike Lesson
Papa teaches Junior to ride a bicycle.
62 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
51 people are currently reading
550 people want to read
About the author
Stan Berenstain
878 books696 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 122 reviews
October 28, 2012
Have you ever seen the Berenstain Bears like this:
No? Then you haven't seen the Berenstain Bears at their best. This was the era before every book tried to shove a ham-fisted moral down children's throats. This was the time before Papa Bear became a belligerent asshole. This was the era when Brother Bear was called Small Bear because Sister Bear hadn't been born yet.
If only this could have lasted.
Just take a moment to compare these two covers:
The image on the left bears the original character designs. The image on the right bears the new ones. (No pun intended.)
Notice the differences? For one thing, they're both smiling in the 1964 artwork (Papa Bear more so than Small Bear). But in the redesigned version, Papa Bear is suddenly racing with his brow furrowed, and Brother Bear looks scared for his life.
Now, I've only read the 1964 version, so I can't say for sure how deep these differences run. I can't tell you, for example, if the story was given the same treatment as the cover--that is, if it was altered to match the new personalities.
And they definitely have new personalities. In "Brother Bear" stories, Papa Bear is a downright jerk; he's temperamental and close-minded, and that's just the beginning. In The Bike Lesson, Papa Bear overconfident and blundering, but he means well; he's generally trying to help his son.
In modern stories, Brother Bear is a "good son", leaving Sister Bear to be the focus of many--perhaps most--of the moral dilemmas. Depending on the book, Brother Bear either overcomes his vices with his sister, or else he's downright saintly. (The "saintly" tends to show up more often in the chapter books than the picture books.) In The Bike Lesson, Small Bear is an earnest and excitable child in whose eyes his father can do no wrong.
Both characters are vastly more endearing in their earlier incarnations, which begs the question: what went wrong? What caused this dynamic shift? In-universe, one could say the entire family changed with Sister Bear's birth the way a real family would; but this didn't happen when Honey Bear was born, so it's obvious that the in-universe reason isn't the "actual" reason.
Something changed in or around the Berenstains that caused or enabled the Bears' complete redesign. I'd love to know what that something was, and I'd love to know if it extended to slightly rewriting the plot of this. Honestly, I suspect it did.
In any case, this edition of The Bike Lesson, regardless of what's in the reprinted editions, was a cute little story made more endearing by the nostalgia for a day when the Berenstains were writing Bears books I could actually stomach.
No? Then you haven't seen the Berenstain Bears at their best. This was the era before every book tried to shove a ham-fisted moral down children's throats. This was the time before Papa Bear became a belligerent asshole. This was the era when Brother Bear was called Small Bear because Sister Bear hadn't been born yet.
If only this could have lasted.
Just take a moment to compare these two covers:
The image on the left bears the original character designs. The image on the right bears the new ones. (No pun intended.)
Notice the differences? For one thing, they're both smiling in the 1964 artwork (Papa Bear more so than Small Bear). But in the redesigned version, Papa Bear is suddenly racing with his brow furrowed, and Brother Bear looks scared for his life.
Now, I've only read the 1964 version, so I can't say for sure how deep these differences run. I can't tell you, for example, if the story was given the same treatment as the cover--that is, if it was altered to match the new personalities.
And they definitely have new personalities. In "Brother Bear" stories, Papa Bear is a downright jerk; he's temperamental and close-minded, and that's just the beginning. In The Bike Lesson, Papa Bear overconfident and blundering, but he means well; he's generally trying to help his son.
In modern stories, Brother Bear is a "good son", leaving Sister Bear to be the focus of many--perhaps most--of the moral dilemmas. Depending on the book, Brother Bear either overcomes his vices with his sister, or else he's downright saintly. (The "saintly" tends to show up more often in the chapter books than the picture books.) In The Bike Lesson, Small Bear is an earnest and excitable child in whose eyes his father can do no wrong.
Both characters are vastly more endearing in their earlier incarnations, which begs the question: what went wrong? What caused this dynamic shift? In-universe, one could say the entire family changed with Sister Bear's birth the way a real family would; but this didn't happen when Honey Bear was born, so it's obvious that the in-universe reason isn't the "actual" reason.
Something changed in or around the Berenstains that caused or enabled the Bears' complete redesign. I'd love to know what that something was, and I'd love to know if it extended to slightly rewriting the plot of this. Honestly, I suspect it did.
In any case, this edition of The Bike Lesson, regardless of what's in the reprinted editions, was a cute little story made more endearing by the nostalgia for a day when the Berenstains were writing Bears books I could actually stomach.
Read
September 9, 2022This one is an old childhood favorite and I still enjoyed it!
April 16, 2018
Little Bear gets a new bike
3 August 2013
I must admit that when I was a kid I loved the Berenstain bears and from what I can gather from Goodreads, so did a lot of other people. There has been mentioned that these older books are much better than the newer books, but I personally do not know the difference, maybe because I was not really exposed to the two different books, or maybe I had only ever dined on the classics. This particular book I would have to suggest is a classic.
Papa Bear buys Little Bear a bike and then decides to teach Little Bear how to ride. However it seems (as is generally the case with Papa Bear) that he needs to take more notice of the lessons himself rather than teaching Little Bear these lessons. Though one could also suspect that these are object lessons in what not to do. Poor old Papa Bear just seems to keep on getting into trouble, and Little Bear fortunately is always around (sometimes with a magical length of rope that happened to appear from nowhere) to help his papa out.
In another sense this could be the idea of how we learn from our elders and how not to make the mistakes that they have made. Unfortunately, while that would be a wonderful lesson for us to learn as kids, sometimes we are just unable to actually do that. Sometimes we simply see the actions of our elders as being the right actions because our elders are, well, our elders, and we look up to them and are influenced by them. In other cases, we are so appalled by the actions of our elders that we immediately go off and live our lives the complete opposite of the lives of our elders, which brings with it its own difficulties, and that can be that we are unable to distinguish whether the opposite actions are right or not, or whether those opposite actions create their own problems.
However, this is just a fun book for children where we are given some lessons (though not necessarily serious lessons) that we should consider when riding a bike. While riding down hill at a tremendous speed is fun (and I must say it is really fun because as a kid I used to do that all the time, and in fact remember one particular road, Target Hill Road, near where I grew up, that we would regularly ride down) but can also be really dangerous (though I don't think I ever fell off, except for one time at a BMX track).
3 August 2013
I must admit that when I was a kid I loved the Berenstain bears and from what I can gather from Goodreads, so did a lot of other people. There has been mentioned that these older books are much better than the newer books, but I personally do not know the difference, maybe because I was not really exposed to the two different books, or maybe I had only ever dined on the classics. This particular book I would have to suggest is a classic.
Papa Bear buys Little Bear a bike and then decides to teach Little Bear how to ride. However it seems (as is generally the case with Papa Bear) that he needs to take more notice of the lessons himself rather than teaching Little Bear these lessons. Though one could also suspect that these are object lessons in what not to do. Poor old Papa Bear just seems to keep on getting into trouble, and Little Bear fortunately is always around (sometimes with a magical length of rope that happened to appear from nowhere) to help his papa out.
In another sense this could be the idea of how we learn from our elders and how not to make the mistakes that they have made. Unfortunately, while that would be a wonderful lesson for us to learn as kids, sometimes we are just unable to actually do that. Sometimes we simply see the actions of our elders as being the right actions because our elders are, well, our elders, and we look up to them and are influenced by them. In other cases, we are so appalled by the actions of our elders that we immediately go off and live our lives the complete opposite of the lives of our elders, which brings with it its own difficulties, and that can be that we are unable to distinguish whether the opposite actions are right or not, or whether those opposite actions create their own problems.
However, this is just a fun book for children where we are given some lessons (though not necessarily serious lessons) that we should consider when riding a bike. While riding down hill at a tremendous speed is fun (and I must say it is really fun because as a kid I used to do that all the time, and in fact remember one particular road, Target Hill Road, near where I grew up, that we would regularly ride down) but can also be really dangerous (though I don't think I ever fell off, except for one time at a BMX track).
January 13, 2014
I loved these bears when I was a child ... but for some reason my boys dont like them as much as we did. Still, my boys were mesmorised by the story last night and even when my 12 year oold got called away, when he returned he wanted me to go back to the place before he had left.
This is a simple funny rhyming story of all the things you should not do when riding a bike, as the father goes to show.
I just love Dr Seuss books ... they will always have a special place in my heart. Timeless.
This is a simple funny rhyming story of all the things you should not do when riding a bike, as the father goes to show.
I just love Dr Seuss books ... they will always have a special place in my heart. Timeless.
November 13, 2017
I loved reading this series when I was little and this one about Papa teaching Junior to ride a bike is one of my favorites. I absolutely love the rhyming that is incorporated in this book. It makes it really fun to read aloud as it just flows so seamlessly off the lips. This is also an excellent book for young readers because the illustrations allows the reader to infer what is happening in the plot, as the pictures do an awesome job of reinforcing the text. The dad’s so fun and goofy as he tries to teach his son how to ride a bike. This story is relatable for so many readers as we reflect on how we learned to ride a bike. This book also portrays to young readers that parents aren’t perfect and that’s okay because we can learn from their mistakes. Overall, this is a perfect story for emerging readers that can read it on their own or with an adult who will also enjoy one of the classic Berenstain Bears.
October 18, 2018
Cute story; however, I’m not particularly keen on the fact that the dad ignores all of the havoc he has caused in teaching his son to ride a bike.
March 15, 2020
I honestly like this better than the later Berenstain Bear books. More cute, less heavy handed and moralistic.
October 2, 2020
This is a good book for dad to read. Papa bear shows son how to ride a bike by doing everything wrong. Then he has to be carried home on the handle bears. Funny and rhyming.
January 23, 2020
Every month my little man gets a new Dr Seuss Beginners Book and my goal is to re-read them myself. This book was such a cute tale of ‘doing what I say, not what I do’ from father bear with cute illustrations.
March 28, 2015
I just read this book for the first time yesterday. I found an old copy in almost perfect condition a few months ago. While reading it to my son, I couldn't stop laughing. Wonderful read!
November 6, 2015
This was one of my favorite books as a child. I even took it to read to the class in 8th grade as an assignment to read a children's book.
January 18, 2019
Good for beginning readers.
June 26, 2020
Written in rhyme format, this is the amusing tale of a father bear trying to teach his son the rules of riding a new bike.
December 27, 2021
Papa Bear showing what not to do.
June 3, 2024
Learned how to not ride a bike
August 18, 2017
Papa Bear brings home a bike for Brother Bear, but before Brother Bear can ride the bike, Papa Bear needs to give him some bike lessons. Readers will infer from the pictures that Brother Bear is learning what not to do from Papa Bear's safety lessons. I love that Brother Bear doesn't get angry at his dad or disrespectful toward him. He just learns from his father's mistakes. Very cute. Really silly. The art is an earlier version of the Berenstain Bears published in 1964. The rhyme is consistent and catchy giving the book a great flow.
4b's: BE SAFE!
4b's: BE SAFE!
June 19, 2020
This is the second book of the Berenstain Bears. Father Bear gives the rules of biking to Brother but he ends up making those mistakes the rules prevents himself! The rules do apply realistically so it is educational in that way. Brother Bear excitedly wants to attempt riding on the bike himself and is super excited but Father Bear wants to demonstrate his own "expertise" first. Brother Bear smartly helps Father Bear out of his mistakes quite easily for a young bear by knowing exactly which materials and methods to use.
September 24, 2020
In my second part of this joruney thru bear country and now doing a timeline for the books it's the bike lesson from the classic era of the series. Anyway this is a direct sequel to big honey hunt. It follows a typical formula, Papa tecahes him a rule in bike riding and loads of slapstick just like in part 1. Brother gets a brand new sexy bike which he will have for many decades. My bike broke down in a year and a half. Spoiler alert he gets to ride the bike. Also 11 car pile up and no bear dies.
Anyway in terms of a bearenstain bears timeline
1. The Big Honey Hunt
2. Bike Lesson
Anyway in terms of a bearenstain bears timeline
1. The Big Honey Hunt
2. Bike Lesson
October 11, 2022
Read this book for the umpteenth time with my 3 yr old granddaughter. Still funny...still made me chuckle! I love that my 3 yr old laughed at the Dad's failed attempts at riding a bike properly. I loved sharing the silliness of the Dad's ineptitude and the son's unfailing patience as he waits for the chance to actually ride the bike himself! Enjoyed reading it with my sons and still enjoying it with my granddaughter....
May 21, 2018
Sometimes, parents of young children at bedtime reading time need a dose of absolute, ridiculous hilarity—for many of us, this is the one that does the trick. It invites an over-the-top goofy reading, which in our family never failed to make 3, 4, 5, and 6 year olds laugh their heads off. The fact we get to laugh at a silly dad's highly ineffectual 'lesson' isn't lost on young readers, of course.
November 21, 2019
Small bear is so excited when his Papa bear surprises him with a bike. However, Papa bear wants to teach small bear a few lessons about bike riding. The story unfolds with Papa bear not making the best bike lessons all while demonstrating what to not do. This is a great book for early readers. It is chalked full of high frequency words.
April 5, 2021
Poppa Berenstain bear gives a painful bicycle lesson that should you fall, you keep getting back up, no matter the number of nicks, scratches, and injuries have you. Accidents can and will happen. Funny illustrations tell story without need for text. Good picture book. My favorite Berenstain book.
November 11, 2021
Pa Bear buys Small Bear a bike but insists on ineptly teaching him bike safety lessons before allowing him to ride it.
This is one of the proto-Berenstain Bears books, a series of beginning readers with more primitive style artwork that valued concepts over morals, which I actually prefer to the more polished and wordier picture book series.
This is one of the proto-Berenstain Bears books, a series of beginning readers with more primitive style artwork that valued concepts over morals, which I actually prefer to the more polished and wordier picture book series.
July 5, 2024
Huh. I've never read these earlier Berenstain Bears books. I didn't even know they existed.
The father brings home a new bike for the son and wants to show him how to ride it. But everything he does ends in some clumsy slapstick. But the boy doesn't realize his father is making mistakes and assumes he's showing him what not to do. Told in rhyme. Funny.
The father brings home a new bike for the son and wants to show him how to ride it. But everything he does ends in some clumsy slapstick. But the boy doesn't realize his father is making mistakes and assumes he's showing him what not to do. Told in rhyme. Funny.
November 30, 2017
While this series of starter reading books follow the typical, "buffoon father" formula, it is pretty funny and a good starting book for kids to read. Illustrations are terrific.
My 6 year old enjoys it, and I did too when I was little.
My 6 year old enjoys it, and I did too when I was little.
March 27, 2018
The misadventures of Papa Bear as he teaches Small Bear how NOT to ride a bike.
Yet another book from my childhood revisited as I reorganize my bookshelves.
And yes, it's still Berenstain. It will always be Berenstain.
Yet another book from my childhood revisited as I reorganize my bookshelves.
And yes, it's still Berenstain. It will always be Berenstain.
April 4, 2018
Now this is what I call a perfect book for all. The rhyme is perfect. The story is perfect. The drawings are perfect. And most importantly, the humor is perfect. This is what you should not do. So let that be a lesson to you. Wicked.
May 28, 2023
Very different than the books you're familiar with.
No sister. Very different art.
But the biggest difference is the writing. This is very Theodor Geisel, it feels like Ten Apples or Put Me In the Zoo.
No sister. Very different art.
But the biggest difference is the writing. This is very Theodor Geisel, it feels like Ten Apples or Put Me In the Zoo.
December 21, 2023
Μια διαδρομή με ποδήλατο σκέτος μπελάς, μαθήματα βήμα βήμα που ξεκινούν από τα "μην αυτό και δεν το άλλο" ώστε να μάθει από τα λάθη το μικρό αρκουδάκι ή μήπως όχι; Τι θα συμβεί στην πρώτη βόλτα με ποδήλατο;
July 21, 2017
I'm not a fan of the "dad is an idiot" theme.
7/20/17 Read with Naomi & Julia.
7/20/17 Read with Naomi & Julia.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews