What do you think?
Rate this book
The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears: When I Grow Up
The Berenstain Bears celebrate Career Day in this 8x8 storybook addition to the classic New York Times bestselling series. After an exciting presentation at school, Sister isn’t sure what she wants to be when she grows up. But then a friend of the Berenstains, Professor Actual Factual, takes Sister and Brother Bear on a special Bear Country job tour. Firefighter or artist, farmer or astronaut—there are so many choices, and Sister enjoys thinking about what she might do in her career.
24 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
82 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Mike Berenstain
472 books171 followersMike Berenstain grew up watching his parents, Stan and Jan, working together to write and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Mike is married to Andrea and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country.
Mike's earliest memory is of his parents studio in suburban Philadelphia. He remembers sitting on the floor scribbling on yellow typewriter paper with a big black pencil. His mother looked at the tangled hairball he had created, pointed out some random shape and said, "Look! Youve drawn a fish!" It did, indeed, look like a fish. That was his first drawing lesson. Hes been drawing ever since.
Aside from drawing, Mikes primary interests growing up were playing whiffle ball with his older brother Leo, collecting insects, stamps, coins, bottle caps, baseball cards, etc., building model planes, playing Davy Crockett in the backyard and fishing. He was also interested in watching the creation of his parents magazine cartoons during the 50s and finally, the birth of the first Berenstain Bears book in 1962. Hes often asked which is his favorite Berenstain Bear book. The answer is THE BERENSTAIN BEARS PICNIC, created when he was twelve. It features a picture of Papa Bear getting a big load of garbage dumped on his head. He thought this was very funny. Ever since, hes enjoyed drawing garbageapple cores, banana peels, old bed springs and the like.
Mike attended art school in Philadelphia in the early 70s, then worked as a designer in the Childrens Book Department of a New York publisher before starting his career as an author and illustrator. His first childrens book was published in 1976 followed by some thirty more over the next sixteen years. These ranged in subject from wizards to dinosaurs.
Since the late 80s, he has been very much involved as a writer and illustrator with his familys creation, the Berenstain Bears. He continues to work with his mother, Jan, creating new books, writing and illustrating.
Aside from the bears, Mike is interested in many thingsin classical music, American history, astronomy and physics. He likes to ski. He spends a lot of time with horses.
Mike is married, his wifes name is Andrea. They have three children whose antics and activities growing up have provided inspiration for many Berenstain Bears books over the years."
Mike's earliest memory is of his parents studio in suburban Philadelphia. He remembers sitting on the floor scribbling on yellow typewriter paper with a big black pencil. His mother looked at the tangled hairball he had created, pointed out some random shape and said, "Look! Youve drawn a fish!" It did, indeed, look like a fish. That was his first drawing lesson. Hes been drawing ever since.
Aside from drawing, Mikes primary interests growing up were playing whiffle ball with his older brother Leo, collecting insects, stamps, coins, bottle caps, baseball cards, etc., building model planes, playing Davy Crockett in the backyard and fishing. He was also interested in watching the creation of his parents magazine cartoons during the 50s and finally, the birth of the first Berenstain Bears book in 1962. Hes often asked which is his favorite Berenstain Bear book. The answer is THE BERENSTAIN BEARS PICNIC, created when he was twelve. It features a picture of Papa Bear getting a big load of garbage dumped on his head. He thought this was very funny. Ever since, hes enjoyed drawing garbageapple cores, banana peels, old bed springs and the like.
Mike attended art school in Philadelphia in the early 70s, then worked as a designer in the Childrens Book Department of a New York publisher before starting his career as an author and illustrator. His first childrens book was published in 1976 followed by some thirty more over the next sixteen years. These ranged in subject from wizards to dinosaurs.
Since the late 80s, he has been very much involved as a writer and illustrator with his familys creation, the Berenstain Bears. He continues to work with his mother, Jan, creating new books, writing and illustrating.
Aside from the bears, Mike is interested in many thingsin classical music, American history, astronomy and physics. He likes to ski. He spends a lot of time with horses.
Mike is married, his wifes name is Andrea. They have three children whose antics and activities growing up have provided inspiration for many Berenstain Bears books over the years."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 4, 2015
I remember loving the Berenstain Bears when I was a kid. I remember learning some important lessons from them, and I remember that sometimes I felt like I was getting hit over the head with a capital-L LESSON. But in the last couple years, most of the Berenstain Bears books I've picked up have been almost...un"Bear"able. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)
This one, for example - it reads more like a career brochure than an actual book. The story went quickly out the window in the interest of covering as many possible jobs as could possibly be named. The quick insertions of calling Mama and Papa - while a nice nod to real life - seemed awkwardly shoehorned in, and the back-to-back-to-back mentions of the calls really overdid the point that was trying to be made.
I did, however, appreciate that none of the jobs discussed were especially targeted to one or the other sibling. Gender-neutral terms were used throughout, and the mentions of opera stars and construction workers were addressed to the cubs as a pair, and not as a boy or a girl.
This one, for example - it reads more like a career brochure than an actual book. The story went quickly out the window in the interest of covering as many possible jobs as could possibly be named. The quick insertions of calling Mama and Papa - while a nice nod to real life - seemed awkwardly shoehorned in, and the back-to-back-to-back mentions of the calls really overdid the point that was trying to be made.
I did, however, appreciate that none of the jobs discussed were especially targeted to one or the other sibling. Gender-neutral terms were used throughout, and the mentions of opera stars and construction workers were addressed to the cubs as a pair, and not as a boy or a girl.
March 9, 2026
Genre: Children's Realistic Fiction
Grade Range: PreK-Grade 2
I liked this book because it encourages kids to think about what they might want to be when they grow up. Brother and Sister Bear imagine many different jobs, which makes the story fun and interesting for young readers. The book shows that there are many possibilities for the future and that everyone can find something that they enjoy doing. The illustrations are colorful and help show the different careers engagingly. I think this would be a great book to start conversations with young students about their interests and goals.
Grade Range: PreK-Grade 2
I liked this book because it encourages kids to think about what they might want to be when they grow up. Brother and Sister Bear imagine many different jobs, which makes the story fun and interesting for young readers. The book shows that there are many possibilities for the future and that everyone can find something that they enjoy doing. The illustrations are colorful and help show the different careers engagingly. I think this would be a great book to start conversations with young students about their interests and goals.
July 31, 2019
Classic
My family loves the berenstain bears and this title did not disappoint. We are so glad they have continued the series by having new titles. My struggling reader was able to feel good reading as the sentences did not overwhelm her.
My family loves the berenstain bears and this title did not disappoint. We are so glad they have continued the series by having new titles. My struggling reader was able to feel good reading as the sentences did not overwhelm her.
November 12, 2018
In this book Sister doesn't know if she wants to grow up so she takes a tour around the town in order to learn about the different job opportunities she will have when she grows up.
May 15, 2019
Nice quick bedtime read
Short tour of town to get the imagination going. Great for any bedtime story. Young or old. Fun fun fun
Short tour of town to get the imagination going. Great for any bedtime story. Young or old. Fun fun fun
April 8, 2020
Totally recommend it
I have been always a fan of the Berestein bears growing up. Now my kids love them too. We also have a collection in our library at home.
I have been always a fan of the Berestein bears growing up. Now my kids love them too. We also have a collection in our library at home.
August 10, 2022
Love the Berenstain bears
September 4, 2022
The Berenstain’s fundamentalist son inherited this series and the change is not for the better. Preachy and dull.
October 23, 2025
Career Day at the Bear County School posed more questions than it answered. After school, Sister and Brother takes an extended tour with Professor Actual Factual to see even more jobs people do.
December 29, 2015
Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...
“So many different jobs to be done—
Just choose the right one and work can be fun!”
Thoroughly engaging and deftly educational—this delightful story of exploration doubles as a great conversation-starter between parents and children. It may even get kids considering their future career options with open-minded optimism.
After a fascinating and visual career day at school, Brother and Sister Bear are whisked away by professor Actual Factual on a Bear Country Job Tour. Between driving and flying, they are given an overview of dozens of possible job choices and some of the activities they entail. From Bakers to Astronauts, Entertainers to Scientists, Artists to Firefighters—this book makes an effort to represent a broad spectrum of career paths, all with an equal air of value and respect. Even the job of “a mom or a dad” is presented toward the end, and their importance praised.
The book remains true to the classic characters created by Stand and Jan Berenstain—the bright, iconic artwork consistent throughout. Coming in at 24 pages and filled with multi-paragraph dialogue and exposition, this glossy paperback is ideal for children ages 4 to 8.
“So many different jobs to be done—
Just choose the right one and work can be fun!”
Thoroughly engaging and deftly educational—this delightful story of exploration doubles as a great conversation-starter between parents and children. It may even get kids considering their future career options with open-minded optimism.
After a fascinating and visual career day at school, Brother and Sister Bear are whisked away by professor Actual Factual on a Bear Country Job Tour. Between driving and flying, they are given an overview of dozens of possible job choices and some of the activities they entail. From Bakers to Astronauts, Entertainers to Scientists, Artists to Firefighters—this book makes an effort to represent a broad spectrum of career paths, all with an equal air of value and respect. Even the job of “a mom or a dad” is presented toward the end, and their importance praised.
The book remains true to the classic characters created by Stand and Jan Berenstain—the bright, iconic artwork consistent throughout. Coming in at 24 pages and filled with multi-paragraph dialogue and exposition, this glossy paperback is ideal for children ages 4 to 8.
Read
June 9, 2017Opening Narrative:
Today I have another book about the different types of careers you can have. Remember the story we read the other day called Career Day, in which we learned about the jobs of people we know? In this story Brother and Sister Bear will be going on a trip throughout their community to learn about all of the different types of careers in their community, Bear Country. Let's make some predictions, what kind of careers might we read about? (Have students make predictions based off of prior experience.) As I read, be listening for any new jobs we have not discussed yet. Also be ready to tell me about your favorite type of career in this story.
Opening Moves:
Activate Background Knowledge
Prompt Predictions Based on Title
Prompt Listeners to Notice Details
Rationale:
I would use this story as a follow-up to the career day book in my text set. This book would review community helper vocabulary, and encourage further discussion about the various jobs in our community. I again could use this book to encourage students to think about what they want to be when they grow up.
References:
Pinnell, G.S., & Fountas, I.C. (2006)Engaging readers in thinking and talking about texts through interactive read aloud. Teaching for comprehending and fluency: Thinking, Talking, and writing about reading, k-8. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Publishing.
Today I have another book about the different types of careers you can have. Remember the story we read the other day called Career Day, in which we learned about the jobs of people we know? In this story Brother and Sister Bear will be going on a trip throughout their community to learn about all of the different types of careers in their community, Bear Country. Let's make some predictions, what kind of careers might we read about? (Have students make predictions based off of prior experience.) As I read, be listening for any new jobs we have not discussed yet. Also be ready to tell me about your favorite type of career in this story.
Opening Moves:
Activate Background Knowledge
Prompt Predictions Based on Title
Prompt Listeners to Notice Details
Rationale:
I would use this story as a follow-up to the career day book in my text set. This book would review community helper vocabulary, and encourage further discussion about the various jobs in our community. I again could use this book to encourage students to think about what they want to be when they grow up.
References:
Pinnell, G.S., & Fountas, I.C. (2006)Engaging readers in thinking and talking about texts through interactive read aloud. Teaching for comprehending and fluency: Thinking, Talking, and writing about reading, k-8. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Publishing.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews