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The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food
This classic Berenstain Bears story is a perfect way to teach children about the importance of eating healthy and staying active!
Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book® from Stan and Jan Berenstain. Papa, Brother, and Sister are eating way too much junk food, and it’s up to Mama and Dr. Grizzly to help them understand the importance of nutritious foods and exercise. Includes over 50 bonus stickers!
Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book® from Stan and Jan Berenstain. Papa, Brother, and Sister are eating way too much junk food, and it’s up to Mama and Dr. Grizzly to help them understand the importance of nutritious foods and exercise. Includes over 50 bonus stickers!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
228 people are currently reading
2049 people want to read
About the author
Stan Berenstain
905 books697 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 280 reviews
July 18, 2023
Well, let me just start out by saying that I wish I could give this book 0 stars. I don’t even know where to begin... I am just so very, VERY disappointed.
And before anyone gets on me about this— I 100% recognize that when these were popular, we weren’t having body conversations the way we are now, so I do give leeway for that. But, it’s still important for modern parents to be aware of content.
The Berenstain Bears books have been more or less popular for a few decades. This is part of what troubles me. I've read some of the other Berenstain books recently to my children, and they've been ok, but when I found this little gem (cue sarcasm), I was stunned.
When I was in nutrition school, and even more so since then, I have come to realize how many food issues people have, and how many of those issues are clouded with shame. That shame almost inevitably leads to compulsion, and from there the cycle continues.
I understand that Stan Berenstain was attempting to help children to make better food choices, but he did it in all the wrong ways.
Example one:
(This is talking about what "Mama" notices about "brother" and "sister")
"Yes, they were chubbier from the side...they were chubbier from the front...and from the back-
Well, there was no question about it. Brother and Sister were going to have to stop eating all that junk food"
So, basically Mama bear wants her kids to stop eating junk food because they're getting "chubbier,” not because she cares about their health.
And then, example two:
Papa asks what the family is doing with his Sugar Balls and Choco-Chums. Brother replies that "they're going into the freezer and we're going to forget about them!". Then,
"'Just a minute!' said Papa. But as he leaned over to pick up his precious goodies, there was a loud r-r-r-i-p! Papa's snack habits had caught up with him, too. He had split the seat of his overalls wide open."
Again, with the body shaming! Am I advocating unhealthy eating? Of course not. The problem I have here is with the idea that skinny = healthy. Health comes in all different sizes and shapes. This book could have focused more on how treating our bodies with care will enable us to do amazing things. We will be able to run faster, live longer, and feel great! Not just look good in our clothes, or fail to "split the seat of our overalls wide open".
If you'd like to learn more about the damage of body shaming, you should check out Beauty Redefined.
And before anyone gets on me about this— I 100% recognize that when these were popular, we weren’t having body conversations the way we are now, so I do give leeway for that. But, it’s still important for modern parents to be aware of content.
The Berenstain Bears books have been more or less popular for a few decades. This is part of what troubles me. I've read some of the other Berenstain books recently to my children, and they've been ok, but when I found this little gem (cue sarcasm), I was stunned.
When I was in nutrition school, and even more so since then, I have come to realize how many food issues people have, and how many of those issues are clouded with shame. That shame almost inevitably leads to compulsion, and from there the cycle continues.
I understand that Stan Berenstain was attempting to help children to make better food choices, but he did it in all the wrong ways.
Example one:
(This is talking about what "Mama" notices about "brother" and "sister")
"Yes, they were chubbier from the side...they were chubbier from the front...and from the back-
Well, there was no question about it. Brother and Sister were going to have to stop eating all that junk food"
So, basically Mama bear wants her kids to stop eating junk food because they're getting "chubbier,” not because she cares about their health.
And then, example two:
Papa asks what the family is doing with his Sugar Balls and Choco-Chums. Brother replies that "they're going into the freezer and we're going to forget about them!". Then,
"'Just a minute!' said Papa. But as he leaned over to pick up his precious goodies, there was a loud r-r-r-i-p! Papa's snack habits had caught up with him, too. He had split the seat of his overalls wide open."
Again, with the body shaming! Am I advocating unhealthy eating? Of course not. The problem I have here is with the idea that skinny = healthy. Health comes in all different sizes and shapes. This book could have focused more on how treating our bodies with care will enable us to do amazing things. We will be able to run faster, live longer, and feel great! Not just look good in our clothes, or fail to "split the seat of our overalls wide open".
If you'd like to learn more about the damage of body shaming, you should check out Beauty Redefined.
June 11, 2018
This is a good story. It is also a speck preachy... or more than a speck. At the same time, it is a great message. Sugar has made an addict of me and I hate feeling so out of control with it. Junk food is too much around us and I always want it. So, the story has a true message, a good message. The candy does look so colorful and it made me want junk food.
There is a little bit of body shaming in this one, but this is an 80s mindset. This feels more like a Jan Berenstain idea.
The kids like these books and they have fun with them. They thought it was a great book and it made them want candy also. Funny, how simply seeing drawings of candy make you crave candy.
There is a little bit of body shaming in this one, but this is an 80s mindset. This feels more like a Jan Berenstain idea.
The kids like these books and they have fun with them. They thought it was a great book and it made them want candy also. Funny, how simply seeing drawings of candy make you crave candy.
January 25, 2018
This is some right wing medical propaganda. This is ABearica, if I want to get fat from eating Choco Chums and Sugar Balls then I CAN. This book is filled with unrealistic portrayals of current healthcare.
It really all starts when their family doctor sees them at the grocery store and "invites" them to an appointment tomorrow. Never in my life have I met a doctor that was so easy to get an appointment at, usually you are on hold for 20 minutes just to find out the next opening is 2 months from now. Second, they forgot the insurance part. A family of 4 walks into the doctor and the BOOM! $20 copay, BOOM! $20 copay, BOOM! $20 copay, BOOM! $20 copay. Thats assuming they have hood insurance, or any insurance at all. In all the books ive read Ive NEVER seen Papa sell any furniture, and Mamas quilting business seems to have gone under, making me think that they probably don't have that great of insurance. All a scam to get a family to spend a buttload of money on an unnecessary appointment.
While I'm at it, who the hell is Mama Bear to judge others. She seems to fillout that same nightgown she wears every book pretty well.
It really all starts when their family doctor sees them at the grocery store and "invites" them to an appointment tomorrow. Never in my life have I met a doctor that was so easy to get an appointment at, usually you are on hold for 20 minutes just to find out the next opening is 2 months from now. Second, they forgot the insurance part. A family of 4 walks into the doctor and the BOOM! $20 copay, BOOM! $20 copay, BOOM! $20 copay, BOOM! $20 copay. Thats assuming they have hood insurance, or any insurance at all. In all the books ive read Ive NEVER seen Papa sell any furniture, and Mamas quilting business seems to have gone under, making me think that they probably don't have that great of insurance. All a scam to get a family to spend a buttload of money on an unnecessary appointment.
While I'm at it, who the hell is Mama Bear to judge others. She seems to fillout that same nightgown she wears every book pretty well.
December 13, 2020
Who doesn't love junk food? We have all been guilty of eating junk food and not knowing how or when to stop. Same is the case with papa bear, brother and sister bear but once mama realises that they have started to gain weight, she stops them from eating junk food and takes them shopping to get healthy food.
At the grocery store, they see Dr. Grizzly and she asks the whole bear family to stop by her clinic the next day. Dr. Grizzly educates them about the benefits of eating healthy food and the side-effects of junk food and how the bodies and organs work. They all come up with a plan of eating healthy food and an exercise regimen to get fit. I think I could use the same regimen myself haha.
It was a good, informative story for the kids to learn to eat healthy, nutritious food and stop eating junk food.
4 stars
At the grocery store, they see Dr. Grizzly and she asks the whole bear family to stop by her clinic the next day. Dr. Grizzly educates them about the benefits of eating healthy food and the side-effects of junk food and how the bodies and organs work. They all come up with a plan of eating healthy food and an exercise regimen to get fit. I think I could use the same regimen myself haha.
It was a good, informative story for the kids to learn to eat healthy, nutritious food and stop eating junk food.
4 stars
November 6, 2011
"let's celebrate by opening up the freezer!"
August 31, 2012
I have loved this book ever since I was little because I felt like I could relate to it. I loved junk food as a kid and still do as an adult, the book teaches a lesson that I may not have learned when I was little but am starting to understand now. It talks about healthy eating and why it is important. The illustrations are what drew me to the book when I was younger. When I saw this on the shelves in the store I instantly remembered why I had loved it so much. I love all of the Berenstain Bears Books and had most of the series by the time I reached the age 10. These books teach great lessons to young children and make it easy to relate to children and young adults. I would recommend these books to any children in 4th grade and up. The reading is not to difficult but they are definitely not beginner books.
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December 19, 2018Oh the childhood memories this brings back.
June 16, 2022
I love Love LOVE Bernstein Bears ya'll... but this book? Nah, it just didn't do it. First off, it failed to hold my kids' attention. I was constantly interrupted by all of them while reading it... none of them were paying attention so I set it down and we came back later. No change. Nobody ended up laughing or repeating lines later which is what usually happens when we read this series.
Anyways, the art is good. I really like all of the books on that level. Layout is good.
The story...
Mama Bear notices the kids are getting fat so she has them stand in front of her. She looks at them from the front the side, and the back and determines they are getting chubby, so she puts them in a diet. She rounds up unhealthy food and hides it. They lose weight. They run into their doctor. She makes them watch an educational video which kind of sucked. Then she encourages exercise, so the bears train for a race. They do well then decide to celebrate with healthy snacks.
Ok, um having momma parade then around and tell them they're fat, prob not the best message. Maybe starting with nutrition info would have helped. Just telling little kids you're fat isn't great. They could have talked about protein, carbs, and fats... and maybe even about sustainable sourcing or different diets (like people who are vegetarian for religious reasons or because of animal rights, or about kosher or halal diets).
Yes, kids do need to learn that you can't eat snacks all the time but this book was not entertaining and it missed a bunch of opportunities. (And for crying out loud, this series made saying please and thank you fun so it absolutely could have blown away nutrition).
Anyways, the art is good. I really like all of the books on that level. Layout is good.
The story...
Mama Bear notices the kids are getting fat so she has them stand in front of her. She looks at them from the front the side, and the back and determines they are getting chubby, so she puts them in a diet. She rounds up unhealthy food and hides it. They lose weight. They run into their doctor. She makes them watch an educational video which kind of sucked. Then she encourages exercise, so the bears train for a race. They do well then decide to celebrate with healthy snacks.
Ok, um having momma parade then around and tell them they're fat, prob not the best message. Maybe starting with nutrition info would have helped. Just telling little kids you're fat isn't great. They could have talked about protein, carbs, and fats... and maybe even about sustainable sourcing or different diets (like people who are vegetarian for religious reasons or because of animal rights, or about kosher or halal diets).
Yes, kids do need to learn that you can't eat snacks all the time but this book was not entertaining and it missed a bunch of opportunities. (And for crying out loud, this series made saying please and thank you fun so it absolutely could have blown away nutrition).
November 10, 2016
Arg with the body shaming in kids' junk food books!
The thing with this book is that the back half is actually good; the family goes to the doctor and learns about the various systems in the body (like the nervous system, bone structure, digestive tracts, etc.) and there are illustrations that are just right for kids. And the recognition that exercise is important and can be a family activity is great. Even the fact that alternative snacks are spelled out so that it's not just "eat better" but "here's what eating better can look like" and the acknowledgement that the transition is hard (the cubs really want their sweet stuff as they're getting used to the new foods) are really strong parts of this book.
But the whole of it kicks off with Mama Bear looking at her family and thinking them fat, an observation reinforced by the local doctor at the freaking grocery store. Don't make kids self-conscious in public spaces like that, Berenstains. C'mon.
I loved the Bears when I was a kid, but coming across this one was a sad realization that not all of them hold up to the requirements of my adult self. Use the back half of this book to teach your kids about nutrition, but skip the first half.
The thing with this book is that the back half is actually good; the family goes to the doctor and learns about the various systems in the body (like the nervous system, bone structure, digestive tracts, etc.) and there are illustrations that are just right for kids. And the recognition that exercise is important and can be a family activity is great. Even the fact that alternative snacks are spelled out so that it's not just "eat better" but "here's what eating better can look like" and the acknowledgement that the transition is hard (the cubs really want their sweet stuff as they're getting used to the new foods) are really strong parts of this book.
But the whole of it kicks off with Mama Bear looking at her family and thinking them fat, an observation reinforced by the local doctor at the freaking grocery store. Don't make kids self-conscious in public spaces like that, Berenstains. C'mon.
I loved the Bears when I was a kid, but coming across this one was a sad realization that not all of them hold up to the requirements of my adult self. Use the back half of this book to teach your kids about nutrition, but skip the first half.
January 11, 2013
My three-year-old is currently enamored of The Berenstain Bears. He wants to check out the whole section every time we're at the library, but I limit him to three because that's about all my husband and I can stand to read to him over and over until next week's library trip. I won't review all of them because they're all very similar. This one, however, gets a review because it's a very good example of what a dolt Papa always seems to be in these books. Mama calls all the shots and Papa just follows along. It's like he's one of the kids---and often he's even more kid-like than the kids are. Papa's like a precursor to Homer Simpson except that The Simpsons doesn't try to teach life lessons. I just find it irritating. At least this newer series doesn't attempt to rhyme like the ones I read when I was an early reader.
I'll keep getting these books out for my son because he loves them, but when he's not looking, I pepper the stack with books I've picked out for him.
I'll keep getting these books out for my son because he loves them, but when he's not looking, I pepper the stack with books I've picked out for him.
September 4, 2013
My parents must have been sick of reading this book to me as a child. I STILL knew half of the words from memory-- that's how much I loved it-- but revisiting this, I'm not sure why I was so enchanted. While the overall intention is good (eat healthy food, not junk), it basically just instructs kids to not get fat by eating too many cheese puffs. While childhood obesity is indeed a timely topic, I didn't appreciate the condescending tone of this (and I'm sure many other Berenstain) books. Momma bear is wearing a dress and cap at all times, the doctor is the high authority on WHY not to eat ho-hos for lunch... it all seemed a bit simplistic to me. Didn't assume too much intelligence on the part of kid readers. Then again, the original copyright date is 1985. And it did, after all, suck me in when I was young.
October 3, 2018
The Berenstain Bears have a little problem with junk food, or rather in particular Papa, Brother, and Sister, Mama seems immune to the lures of the candy and popcorn and chips. Considering the state of a large chunk of both our youth and adults in this country this makes a great light read about cutting out a little bit of the excess, getting back to “healthy and nourishing” food, and a making time for a bit of exercise. The bears show us how easy it is with a little support and a plan to get back into shape and a realistic way to stay there. I will say my girls favorite part of this is looking at all the candy on the title page inside. I highly recommend this series and this particular book.
March 18, 2009
I just like to wallow in all the pictures of junk food overindulgence.
A sad early warning of the demise of Cookie Monster.
A sad early warning of the demise of Cookie Monster.
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October 12, 2024This book would be criticized so heavily in this time and age 🫣
May 28, 2018
Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't bears be naturally...stout?
Well, Papa Bear is definitely a little on the paunchy side, and the cubs were definitely not eating well, so a change definitely needed to be made. Might I suggest it start with Mama Bear, who shouldn't have bought all the junk food in the first place? Or allowed them to eat all that trash at the mall or movies? Just wondering....
Yeah, I'm a little critical here but there's a definite fat-shaming moment here that left me somewhat triggered. Putting the blame on the cubs for what they eat is entirely unfair. They're not making good choices, but what choices are you offering? And somehow I don't see how a trip to the doctor to look at pictures of the digestive system will make everyone take up jogging...
But while the book isn't necessarily realistic, it's needed. Seeing the cubs make good food choices for themselves at the end of the book is heartening, but it doesn't address the sedentary lifestyle that is also a contributing factor as to where they are physically.
Overall, I'm not liking this book as much as I first thought when I sat down to write the review. I'd been happy initially to see the Bears talk about junk food. But I'm not sure any of this goes about talking about it in the right way. And the all or nothing attitude leaves something to be desired. So, no, this isn't the best book out there. But I'm kind of wondering just what other options there are that talk about this same issue. It's important to understand food. But there's more fun ways to discuss it I should think.
Well, Papa Bear is definitely a little on the paunchy side, and the cubs were definitely not eating well, so a change definitely needed to be made. Might I suggest it start with Mama Bear, who shouldn't have bought all the junk food in the first place? Or allowed them to eat all that trash at the mall or movies? Just wondering....
Yeah, I'm a little critical here but there's a definite fat-shaming moment here that left me somewhat triggered. Putting the blame on the cubs for what they eat is entirely unfair. They're not making good choices, but what choices are you offering? And somehow I don't see how a trip to the doctor to look at pictures of the digestive system will make everyone take up jogging...
But while the book isn't necessarily realistic, it's needed. Seeing the cubs make good food choices for themselves at the end of the book is heartening, but it doesn't address the sedentary lifestyle that is also a contributing factor as to where they are physically.
Overall, I'm not liking this book as much as I first thought when I sat down to write the review. I'd been happy initially to see the Bears talk about junk food. But I'm not sure any of this goes about talking about it in the right way. And the all or nothing attitude leaves something to be desired. So, no, this isn't the best book out there. But I'm kind of wondering just what other options there are that talk about this same issue. It's important to understand food. But there's more fun ways to discuss it I should think.
August 20, 2015
A good idea for a book but now it's dated and includes a lot of conversations that are now viewed as inappropriate. There is so much information - too much almost about body image being important when general health matters much more! Just didn't give me good feelings and led to serious discussions with my daughter about the way her body looks not being anywhere near as important as its health status which includes her mental health and being happy and feeling good and being healthy and able to be active.
June 12, 2017
Although the story means well, it's not nearly as good as I remembered. The plot falls in the unfortunate, lazy "Mama is always right, Papa is a dolt and lumped in with the kids" trap along with too many others from the series. I don't care for how all junk food is dismissed outright; it is more realistic to introduce enjoying treats both in moderation and on special occasions in addition to primarily eating healthy.
July 19, 2014
My 8-year-old really liked this book but his school focuses on healthy eating so he's okay with giving up junk food. My favorite part was when Papa Bear wanted to know what he could drink if he couldn't drink his Sweetsie-Cola. Mama Bear replied, "Try this. It's called water." As a parent, I liked the overall message of this book. It emphasized healthy eating and exercise.
December 8, 2015
I think it's a good book and it talks about not eating so much junk and they're growing and it talks about eating healthy and doing exercise. And it's a good book.
March 27, 2021
This is not bad. It's just kind of boring. There's some quick shallow science. And a quick message. But it's just not all that much fun. And therefore its moralizing message just makes me hungry. For cashew nuts which aren't quite junk food. 2.5 of 5.
October 15, 2018
We are big Berenstain Bear fans and this is one of our favorites!
March 4, 2022
At my parents’ house going through old stuff, found this book and was reminded of reading it as a child
March 3, 2025
I really like those things though.
December 24, 2025
A great book for children. It was even inspirational to me.
July 18, 2013
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food is a story about the Barenstain Bear family and their unhealthy eating habits. The brother, sister, and father bear all struggle with eating healthy in the house. Their refrigerator is filled with junk food and the mother bear is the only one who really cares about eating healthy. Mother bear sees that all three bears are gaining weight and are afraid they will eat like this everyday. The three bears don't see and understand the reason of why they need to eat healthy. Mother bear decides to empty their refrigerator and go to the market with the whole family to buy healthy food. When they are at the market, the bears sees their family doctor and mother bear decides to take the whole family to the doctor's office. She is hoping the family doctor can influence and teach the bears why they need to take care of their body and why junk food is bad for them. After the doctor's appointment, the bears are convinced and understand the need to eat healthier and exercise regularly. They decide to run the neighborhood race together as a family and are happy they complete the race together.
I think this book is a great discussion starter in talking about the importance of eating healthy and exercising to children. There are many times children may want to eat junk food and not eat regular healthy meals, so this book could be a short, but informative text that explains to them the importance in a easy understandable way.
The author does a great job in including the bears conflicts and hardships to show how difficult it is to resist eating junk food, eating healthy, and exercising on a regular basis. I like how this book was about the bear family, but it relates to humans and especially easy for children to understand the theme of healthy eating. I think this book ends of in a poignant way because it allows the readers to understand the overall theme but leaves it up to them to make a change in their life to become healthier.
This book is a great example of how writing can be used to create a story for children to get an important information across to them.
I think this book is a great discussion starter in talking about the importance of eating healthy and exercising to children. There are many times children may want to eat junk food and not eat regular healthy meals, so this book could be a short, but informative text that explains to them the importance in a easy understandable way.
The author does a great job in including the bears conflicts and hardships to show how difficult it is to resist eating junk food, eating healthy, and exercising on a regular basis. I like how this book was about the bear family, but it relates to humans and especially easy for children to understand the theme of healthy eating. I think this book ends of in a poignant way because it allows the readers to understand the overall theme but leaves it up to them to make a change in their life to become healthier.
This book is a great example of how writing can be used to create a story for children to get an important information across to them.
May 11, 2018
What a great way to tell the young about eating healthy food and exercise.
September 16, 2012
Mama Bear lays down the law when she notices that Papa and the cubs are getting too chubby. With the help of Dr. Grizzly's slide show on how the body works, the Bear family makes a healthful adjustment in their diet and fitness habits. "A most enjoyable introduction to good nutrition and exercise."--(starred) Science Books & Films.
From the Inside FlapMama Bear lays down the law when she notices that Papa and the cubs are getting too chubby. With the help of Dr. Grizzly's slide show on how the body works, the Bear family makes a healthful adjustment in their diet and fitness habits. "A most enjoyable introduction to good nutrition and exercise."--(starred) Science Books & Films.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
About the AuthorStan and Jan Berenstain were both born in 1923 in Philadelphia. They didn't know each other as children, but met later at school, at the Philadelphia College of Art. They liked each other right away, and found out that the both enjoyed the same kinds of books, plays, music and art. During World War II, Stan was a medical assistant in the Army, and Jan worked in an airplane factory. When the war was over, they got married and began to work together as artists and writers, primarily drawing cartoons for popular magazines. After having their two sons Leo and Michael, the Berenstains decided to write some funny children's books that their children and other children could read and enjoy. Their first published children's book was called The Big Honey Hunt . It was about a family of bears, who later became known as the "Berenstain Bears".
Over 50 children's books later, Stan and Jan still plan all of their books together -- both write the stories, and both write the pictures. They live outside of Philadelphia in the country.
February 24, 2015
In this story of a fun family of bears we see a unique and creative approach to teaching health to children. After the mama bear notices a change in size and personality of both her husband and kids, she decides to take away certain privileges such as sweet snacks, and too much television. The author does a wonderful job showing the change of the bears from the beginning of the book, to the end in not just appearance but personality as well.
The illustrations in this book are important because the subject of body health can be sensitive to certain people. The mama bear has kind facial expressions, even when she is upset she does not come across as offensive. The doctor is also drawn to look caring and kind and looks as if she truly cares about the family’s health. The illustrations are also bright in general, which draws attention. The illustrator also gives the bears a slightly rounder body while they are making unhealthy choices, and a straighter figure after they make the change.
This book has the potential to reach out to many kids and show them the negative effects of eating too much junk food and not exercising regularly as well as the positive effects of eating healthy and being active. After the bears get back to playing and making healthy choices they no longer desire the things they used to think they loved. I also liked how the papa bear was involved and made the same unhealthy choices as the bear. It may be common for a mother and the children to follow certain rules that a father is exempt from, however in this book he is treated equally. I think this book could be used in many ways to promote healthy eating, exercise, family time, or even just to entertain.
The illustrations in this book are important because the subject of body health can be sensitive to certain people. The mama bear has kind facial expressions, even when she is upset she does not come across as offensive. The doctor is also drawn to look caring and kind and looks as if she truly cares about the family’s health. The illustrations are also bright in general, which draws attention. The illustrator also gives the bears a slightly rounder body while they are making unhealthy choices, and a straighter figure after they make the change.
This book has the potential to reach out to many kids and show them the negative effects of eating too much junk food and not exercising regularly as well as the positive effects of eating healthy and being active. After the bears get back to playing and making healthy choices they no longer desire the things they used to think they loved. I also liked how the papa bear was involved and made the same unhealthy choices as the bear. It may be common for a mother and the children to follow certain rules that a father is exempt from, however in this book he is treated equally. I think this book could be used in many ways to promote healthy eating, exercise, family time, or even just to entertain.
July 18, 2011
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food is a didactic tale, seeking to teach children to eat healthy food and eschew eating junk food.
The story opens by talking about what a nice place Bear Country is, comfortable, full of nice places to live, and “best of all” full of healthy food for all its inhabitants. Mama Bear observes that her cubs have been eating a lot of junk food and are beginning to get a bit chubby. She shuts away the junk food in the freezer, and whisks the family away to see Dr. Grizzly, who shows them a slideshow to teach them that it’s important to eat healthy foods, and, as they’re leaving, enjoins them to exercise, as well.
The cubs are all too enthusiastic about their new diet (much as, in The Berenstain Bears and the Truth , they were all too enthusiastic to own up to their lie), and Mama provides them with various healthy snacks to replace the unhealthy things they had been eating–though one wonders at them sneaking food into a theater, which kids probably shouldn’t attempt.
In the end, although Papa wants to celebrate their finishing a race by eating junk food, the lesson seems to have stuck with the cubs, who insist on carrot sticks, nuts, and raisins.
...
(The full review is posted on my bog.)
The story opens by talking about what a nice place Bear Country is, comfortable, full of nice places to live, and “best of all” full of healthy food for all its inhabitants. Mama Bear observes that her cubs have been eating a lot of junk food and are beginning to get a bit chubby. She shuts away the junk food in the freezer, and whisks the family away to see Dr. Grizzly, who shows them a slideshow to teach them that it’s important to eat healthy foods, and, as they’re leaving, enjoins them to exercise, as well.
The cubs are all too enthusiastic about their new diet (much as, in The Berenstain Bears and the Truth , they were all too enthusiastic to own up to their lie), and Mama provides them with various healthy snacks to replace the unhealthy things they had been eating–though one wonders at them sneaking food into a theater, which kids probably shouldn’t attempt.
In the end, although Papa wants to celebrate their finishing a race by eating junk food, the lesson seems to have stuck with the cubs, who insist on carrot sticks, nuts, and raisins.
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(The full review is posted on my bog.)
May 3, 2018
Junk food is unhealthy, it adds on unnecessary weight and can lead to early onset of various diseases. Mother knows she's got to turn her family's bad eating habits around.
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