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Berenstain Bears Early Reader Chapter Books #1
The Berenstain Bears The Trouble with Tryouts: An Early Reader Chapter Book
Sister Bear is a super soccer player. She's fast on her feet. She kicks the ball with the power of a cub twice her size. She's should be a shoo-in at soccer tryouts ... except for one little problem. Sister Bear is too small. Even Mama, Papa, and Brother think Sister has set her sights too high. Will Sister make the team despite her size? Or will she be stuck on the sidelines?
The Berenstain Bears The Trouble with Tryouts is an engaging early reader chapter book that features black and white illustrations alongside entertaining text and relatable characters. As read-alone or read-aloud, it helps kids connect plot to chapter structure and will have teachers and librarians asking for more. And as part of the beloved Living Lights series, it's the perfect segue for emerging readers and fans of the brand.
When kids graduate from picture books to chapter books, it's a great moment. Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey will captivate readers ages 6-10 who are ready to take the next step in their reading comprehension.
The Berenstain Bears The Trouble with Tryouts is an engaging early reader chapter book that features black and white illustrations alongside entertaining text and relatable characters. As read-alone or read-aloud, it helps kids connect plot to chapter structure and will have teachers and librarians asking for more. And as part of the beloved Living Lights series, it's the perfect segue for emerging readers and fans of the brand.
When kids graduate from picture books to chapter books, it's a great moment. Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey will captivate readers ages 6-10 who are ready to take the next step in their reading comprehension.
- GenresChildrens
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2019
About the author
Stan Berenstain
972 books717 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 18, 2026
0/10 - Do not recommend.
Exaggerated, awful behavior. Sister is not protected from bullying by her parents, the coach, or any adults in her life. No true justice is handed out for any bullying behavior. Bad behavior is excused or ignored completely, or in sister's case, rewarded.
In Sister's case, the lesson learned is, if you throw an angry fit by throwing and kicking other people's property around, you get to be on the team! She'll fit in perfectly, since the team is full of a bunch of bullies who only get disciplined for poor athleticism and not poor attitudes.
In case it wasn't clear, none of the bad actors are called out for behaving in such awful ways throughout the whole book. Entirely disappointed in this book and that my 6-year-old heard it at the same time we did.
Exaggerated, awful behavior. Sister is not protected from bullying by her parents, the coach, or any adults in her life. No true justice is handed out for any bullying behavior. Bad behavior is excused or ignored completely, or in sister's case, rewarded.
In Sister's case, the lesson learned is, if you throw an angry fit by throwing and kicking other people's property around, you get to be on the team! She'll fit in perfectly, since the team is full of a bunch of bullies who only get disciplined for poor athleticism and not poor attitudes.
In case it wasn't clear, none of the bad actors are called out for behaving in such awful ways throughout the whole book. Entirely disappointed in this book and that my 6-year-old heard it at the same time we did.
September 5, 2019
For a family of die-hard Berenstain Bears fans, this book was such a treat! I am working to move my daughter beyond early readers, and this book featuring her favorite characters was the perfect gentle push. As with all BB books, a solid message to impart to our kids in neatly packaged in. Thanks for sending this copy for review in exchange for an honest review, Zondervan!
August 17, 2019
THE BERENSTAIN BEARS TROUBLE WITH TRYOUTS made my Berenstain Bears fan daughter squeal with delight when this arrived in the mail and she hurried to sit down and read it though she is beyond early reader chapter books.
The story is cute and we appreciated Papa Bear's wisdom (some books he seems rather stupid) as he tried to gently encourage Sister to do her job to the best of her ability and to temper her hopes with reality. Because we don't always get everything we want.
What we hated was Sister had an extreme temper tantrum and suddenly all her dreams come true. Admittedly she had to kick the ball but she got that because she was throwing a major fit. And what does that teach kids?
Overall, a good chapter book for new readers, And for Berenstain Bear fans.
I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.
The story is cute and we appreciated Papa Bear's wisdom (some books he seems rather stupid) as he tried to gently encourage Sister to do her job to the best of her ability and to temper her hopes with reality. Because we don't always get everything we want.
What we hated was Sister had an extreme temper tantrum and suddenly all her dreams come true. Admittedly she had to kick the ball but she got that because she was throwing a major fit. And what does that teach kids?
Overall, a good chapter book for new readers, And for Berenstain Bear fans.
I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.
August 17, 2019
“Sister learned something very important that day. Things can go from bad to worse. But they can also get better. Sometimes they can even go from bad to great,” the ending states in Stan, Jan, and Mike Berenstain’s book, The Berenstain Bear: The Trouble with Tryouts.
~ What ~
An Early Reader Chapter Book, this numbered ninety-six-page paperback targets children six to ten years old, especially those that like a short story of the well-known family of bears. With no profanity or scary scenes, it is a chapter book with a few black and white expressive illustrations. Due to some complicated wording, it would best be read out loud to beginner readers. An excerpt to another book in the series is added.
This brief tale is about small-statured Sister wanting to be on the school’s soccer team but cannot get the attention of the coach. Because of her diminutive size, the young bear is offered the job as the team’s manager, which she must pick up balls, pass out water, and collect dirty towels and uniforms. Being repeatedly bullied by older team players, she picks up the balls with a kiddie wagon and accidentally spills a bucket of water on herself. It is only when she gets angry and kicks the bucket hard that the coach acknowledges her skills and lets her play on the team where she scores the winning goal.
~ Why ~
For years, the Berenstain Bears have filled Christian homes with their wholesome, morally-promoted, and God-focused stories. I love that the books have a similar pattern of the bears facing an issue and learning to deal with it; this one concentrates on bullying and not getting everything you want instantly. The illustrations are descriptive and interesting for the age group.
~ Why Not ~
This story is not in the usual Berenstain format in that there is little reference or reliance on God as it only concentrates on one’s capabilities. A few readers may find some scenes stereotypical, such as the coach being on her cell phone and the teammates’ constant mocking. Some may not appreciate that the main character, although made fun of by her teammates, whines, contemplates revenge, and ends up being physically angry, yet she is awarded for her behavior without considering that God can deal with the bear’s attitude and actions.
~ Wish ~
Only mentioning once that the coach gives a pregame prayer, it would have been more apropos if Sister’s parents took the time to pray with her or show her that God is there for her; this was not included, not even a Bible verse mentioned like prior books. I was disappointed that the story rewarded the protagonist for her anger by getting on the team instead of dealing with any repercussions for her outbursts.
~ Want ~
If you or your child like the Berenstain Bears series, this may be another one for the bookshelf, but I am sorry; I cannot pass it on to our six-year-old granddaughter as its undertones convey to have a tizzy fit to get your way without suggesting how God can help you when dealing with taunting peers.
Thanks to Z-Blog Squad for providing this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.
~ What ~
An Early Reader Chapter Book, this numbered ninety-six-page paperback targets children six to ten years old, especially those that like a short story of the well-known family of bears. With no profanity or scary scenes, it is a chapter book with a few black and white expressive illustrations. Due to some complicated wording, it would best be read out loud to beginner readers. An excerpt to another book in the series is added.
This brief tale is about small-statured Sister wanting to be on the school’s soccer team but cannot get the attention of the coach. Because of her diminutive size, the young bear is offered the job as the team’s manager, which she must pick up balls, pass out water, and collect dirty towels and uniforms. Being repeatedly bullied by older team players, she picks up the balls with a kiddie wagon and accidentally spills a bucket of water on herself. It is only when she gets angry and kicks the bucket hard that the coach acknowledges her skills and lets her play on the team where she scores the winning goal.
~ Why ~
For years, the Berenstain Bears have filled Christian homes with their wholesome, morally-promoted, and God-focused stories. I love that the books have a similar pattern of the bears facing an issue and learning to deal with it; this one concentrates on bullying and not getting everything you want instantly. The illustrations are descriptive and interesting for the age group.
~ Why Not ~
This story is not in the usual Berenstain format in that there is little reference or reliance on God as it only concentrates on one’s capabilities. A few readers may find some scenes stereotypical, such as the coach being on her cell phone and the teammates’ constant mocking. Some may not appreciate that the main character, although made fun of by her teammates, whines, contemplates revenge, and ends up being physically angry, yet she is awarded for her behavior without considering that God can deal with the bear’s attitude and actions.
~ Wish ~
Only mentioning once that the coach gives a pregame prayer, it would have been more apropos if Sister’s parents took the time to pray with her or show her that God is there for her; this was not included, not even a Bible verse mentioned like prior books. I was disappointed that the story rewarded the protagonist for her anger by getting on the team instead of dealing with any repercussions for her outbursts.
~ Want ~
If you or your child like the Berenstain Bears series, this may be another one for the bookshelf, but I am sorry; I cannot pass it on to our six-year-old granddaughter as its undertones convey to have a tizzy fit to get your way without suggesting how God can help you when dealing with taunting peers.
Thanks to Z-Blog Squad for providing this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.
October 27, 2022
This book teaches students to always believe in themselves and that you can do anything you put your mind to. Children can often make personal connections with the main character, if they are interested in sports. If the students are able to make personal connections to the book they will be more engaged and interested in reading the book.
June 22, 2023
Great kids booj
Very good lessons in kindness and never giving up!!! love that they still pray before their games and its a honest and wholesome children's book
Very good lessons in kindness and never giving up!!! love that they still pray before their games and its a honest and wholesome children's book
August 28, 2023
Great book
Great book to read! Excellent teaching lesson about; pride, being small, doing things that wasn't fun to do. As well as how to handle getting teased, laughed and bullied.
Great book to read! Excellent teaching lesson about; pride, being small, doing things that wasn't fun to do. As well as how to handle getting teased, laughed and bullied.
February 6, 2025
3.5 stars
Read
November 18, 2023I wish it would have been longer. It didn’t take me very long to read. It only took me about fifteen minutes, but besides that it was good. I really thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommend you should read it. At first the girl gets mad but then at the end she makes it onto the team, just so you know what happened a little bit. So this was my review.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews