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The Berenstain Bears Living Lights
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving: The True Meaning of Christmas
Join Brother and Sister Bear at the Christmas Eve pageant as they witness the very first Christmas, and make an important discovery about giving and receiving, a valuable lesson at Christmas and year around. Young readers will learn the true meaning of Christmas in this addition to The Berenstain Bears Living Lights ™ series. The Berenstain Bears explore the value of generosity and gratitude in The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving . Children will discover ways to implement traditional values and share God’s goodness in Zonderkidz The Berenstain Bears Living Lights ™ series of books with over 13 million copies sold. The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving : The Berenstain Bears Living Lights ™ Look for additional inspirational children’s picture books in The Berenstain Bears Living Lights ™ series.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2010
132 people are currently reading
400 people want to read
About the author
Jan Berenstain
913 books230 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 48 reviews
December 11, 2020
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving is a really good book to add to your Advent calendar. Are you struggling with your child or children with the meaning of giving rather than receiving? Well, this one does the job.
This book is a favorite of mine not cause it to deal with Christmas or the meaning of giving. I grew up with The Berenstain Bears series. I still love them. I love the meaning behind the book. It is better to give than to receive.
This tells a story through Brother and Sister Bear's eyes. This book and many in the series teaches a valuable lesson for children. I love that. The pictures are done well. There something that changes the cubs. This book is good to have on your child's bookshelves.
This book is a favorite of mine not cause it to deal with Christmas or the meaning of giving. I grew up with The Berenstain Bears series. I still love them. I love the meaning behind the book. It is better to give than to receive.
This tells a story through Brother and Sister Bear's eyes. This book and many in the series teaches a valuable lesson for children. I love that. The pictures are done well. There something that changes the cubs. This book is good to have on your child's bookshelves.
December 5, 2021
A nice message, but I think there is a bit of a plot hole regarding Bear Country. What’s the population there? How are they able to have a marching band playing on Christmas morning?
Would read again. Probably will twice tomorrow.
Would read again. Probably will twice tomorrow.
December 25, 2021
Brother and Sister are reminded of the original Christmas Story and learn the true meaning of Christmas and why gifts are "given" on Christmas.
January 9, 2017
The beginning was uninteresting, what with lines like "They were Christmas shopping and Christmas decorating and Christmas everything."
I was surprised Sister and Brother were happy to be the camel. Usually the animal is the worst part, especially for the one that has to be the rear. Kind of funny how the camel had button eyes and eye holes in the humps for them to see out of.
Odd how much explaining there was going on. They "wore long robes, crowns, and fake beards. They followed the Christmas star made of foil-covered cardboard that hung above the stage."
We know they're fake beards. The word "wearing" makes it clear that they're fake.
Things picked up during the rehearsal. One of the wise bears had a loose front tooth (tho the pic showed him with only one front tooth, which implied he was missing teeth) so he could pronounce things well. "A thtar! A thtar!" he cried. "I thee a thtar!"
It turned into a silly catastrophe though and lost charm. It was hard for Sister and Brother to see out of the costume-even though there were two eye holes for them both-and Sister knocked over the palm tree display, then, with no explanation, all 3 of the wise bears tripped. The picture showed Sister stepping on one's robe, which wasn't said.
Bearbie doll sounded so stupid. It would have been nice if the authors created their own world instead of ripping off the human world and just putting the word bear in place of another.
It was weird that Mama wore a purple vest and yellow trim over her usual blue polka dot dress, because it really clashed.
They each had $10 from grandparents to spend on presents for others. But they only bought each other something and not anyone else. And they both wanted to only spend a little and have money left over for themselves. Brother wanted a model plane and Sister a Bearbie doll. She bought him the plane and he got her an outfit for the doll. Mama noticed the spirit of giving was lacking and Papa said to let them figure that out themselves.
Weird how Mary had a horse instead of a donkey.
The story morphed into the story of Jesus, so the book became bogged down. It had a lot going on. The joy of giving, the play and rehearsal, and then the story of Jesus's birth. They should have just tackled one element.
And it was so ridiculous how after the play someone in the audience got up and started singing Holy Night. Could they have thrown one more element into this thing? Who even gets up and starts singing after a play? That was the performance, the audience doesn't get up and do their own.
And for some strange reason Sister and Brother started tearing up bcuz something about that--not sure what--prompted them to realize the joy of giving.
It was cute how they went to each other's presents first and Brother said "From one end of the camel to the other" as he gave her the present from him.
It was odd how the band was collecting money for the needy in a black cauldron, also hanging from a tripod of sticks like it was going to cook something.
Idk what the purpose of having Honey put the quarter in was for. Sister, after her and Brother gave over all of the extra money they had into the pot, found a quarter in her pocket--gosh would the story just end already--and held it out. Honey, who didn't own the quarter, reached for it and then toddled over to the pot and put it in. What is right about her taking someone else's quarter and donating it? It takes nothing to donate someone else's money. Seems like a bad lesson for her to learn, and a bad act for her to do. And what was even more annoying was that only then do the bears in the band stop and say Merry Christmas. They didn't say it to Brother and Sister, who donated all of their money, but they stopped for this little toddler who took her sister's money-which was only a quarter-and put it in. So stupid.
And then the story ended just like that. The bear family responded with Merry Christmas and that was that. I didn't enjoy this at all because there were too many things going on, none of which I thought was interesting.
I was surprised Sister and Brother were happy to be the camel. Usually the animal is the worst part, especially for the one that has to be the rear. Kind of funny how the camel had button eyes and eye holes in the humps for them to see out of.
Odd how much explaining there was going on. They "wore long robes, crowns, and fake beards. They followed the Christmas star made of foil-covered cardboard that hung above the stage."
We know they're fake beards. The word "wearing" makes it clear that they're fake.
Things picked up during the rehearsal. One of the wise bears had a loose front tooth (tho the pic showed him with only one front tooth, which implied he was missing teeth) so he could pronounce things well. "A thtar! A thtar!" he cried. "I thee a thtar!"
It turned into a silly catastrophe though and lost charm. It was hard for Sister and Brother to see out of the costume-even though there were two eye holes for them both-and Sister knocked over the palm tree display, then, with no explanation, all 3 of the wise bears tripped. The picture showed Sister stepping on one's robe, which wasn't said.
Bearbie doll sounded so stupid. It would have been nice if the authors created their own world instead of ripping off the human world and just putting the word bear in place of another.
It was weird that Mama wore a purple vest and yellow trim over her usual blue polka dot dress, because it really clashed.
They each had $10 from grandparents to spend on presents for others. But they only bought each other something and not anyone else. And they both wanted to only spend a little and have money left over for themselves. Brother wanted a model plane and Sister a Bearbie doll. She bought him the plane and he got her an outfit for the doll. Mama noticed the spirit of giving was lacking and Papa said to let them figure that out themselves.
Weird how Mary had a horse instead of a donkey.
The story morphed into the story of Jesus, so the book became bogged down. It had a lot going on. The joy of giving, the play and rehearsal, and then the story of Jesus's birth. They should have just tackled one element.
And it was so ridiculous how after the play someone in the audience got up and started singing Holy Night. Could they have thrown one more element into this thing? Who even gets up and starts singing after a play? That was the performance, the audience doesn't get up and do their own.
And for some strange reason Sister and Brother started tearing up bcuz something about that--not sure what--prompted them to realize the joy of giving.
It was cute how they went to each other's presents first and Brother said "From one end of the camel to the other" as he gave her the present from him.
It was odd how the band was collecting money for the needy in a black cauldron, also hanging from a tripod of sticks like it was going to cook something.
Idk what the purpose of having Honey put the quarter in was for. Sister, after her and Brother gave over all of the extra money they had into the pot, found a quarter in her pocket--gosh would the story just end already--and held it out. Honey, who didn't own the quarter, reached for it and then toddled over to the pot and put it in. What is right about her taking someone else's quarter and donating it? It takes nothing to donate someone else's money. Seems like a bad lesson for her to learn, and a bad act for her to do. And what was even more annoying was that only then do the bears in the band stop and say Merry Christmas. They didn't say it to Brother and Sister, who donated all of their money, but they stopped for this little toddler who took her sister's money-which was only a quarter-and put it in. So stupid.
And then the story ended just like that. The bear family responded with Merry Christmas and that was that. I didn't enjoy this at all because there were too many things going on, none of which I thought was interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2025
Berenstain Bears as good as ever!
January 9, 2017
Captures the Christmas spirit. Shopping, decorating, charity money drive.
The first wise man had a loose tooth, and was hard to understand. "A thtar! A thtar! I thee a thtar!"
That's funny the camel has eye holes in them for them to see. I've never known a costume like that to have them, especially because you can see their eyes in it!
The neighborhood was pretty as the cubs walked home. I love seeing all the lights on the houses, and how the houses are shaped differently. This must be modern bear country, because I've never seen ones like this!
They always do a play on words, where they put Bear into everything. Like a Bearbie doll.
It's weird seeing another cub in the picture.
That's cute that the girl playing Mary is sittin on the costume horse, and somebody's feet are below it. Idk how a costume horse would be sturdy enough to sit on. OMG now I realize why her feet looked faint, they're painted on the horse's side and she's standing in it!!
The bears dressed as sheep are cute.
Sammy's loose tooth had come out backstage so he was able to say his lines clearly.
In the scene where everyone vows before the 'tender baby' I didn't think tender baby was a good line. Also the tender baby was nowhere to be seen. The cradle was empty of all but hay.
'Peeking out of the camel costume, tears came it sister's and brother's eyes. It seemed they had never understood the joy of giving until that moment. All the gifts of all the Christmas of all the years went back to those first gifts given to the tiny baby long ago.'
I'm surprised they were so touched by the wise men giving Jesus the gifts.
'Everyone felt the true spirit of Christmas had been with them that night.' It's nice everyone was affected by the play like that.
That's sweet they ran to their presents for each other first.
"From one end of the camel to the other." Haha!
It's sweet that they gave each other "big bear hugs."
& they thought of the money that had left over.
I like the Chapel in the Woods. It looks pretty in the sun and snow.
They decide to give their money to the bears singing Christmas carol as for the needy.
I read the part where honey have a quarter to the needy before the part where sister gave her the quarter because it was on the left side of the page, even though it was on the bottom.
After she gives the quarter the bears say Merry Christmas to them, but they hadn't when sister and brother gave them all their money.
I thought it could have ended on a better note.
This would be a good book for kids to learn values. It was just ok.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2022
There are many problems with this book.
1. Compared to the original Christmas book, about meeting Santa, it was incredibly disappointing. The Santa book was about a young cubs worries about meeting Santa and about a family of bears on Christmas. The cubs get excited about the different gifts showed on TV, and they buy their parents presents. This one is a preachy books about the joy of giving. Really. Meet Santa Bear mentions that the cubs felt the joy of giving when they saw their parents open the gifts that they gave them. This book is completely about it, and it also makes kids getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas seem completely unjustifiable.
2. The part about the cubs buying gifts for each other. They have ten dollars, and they're hoping for a little leftover, so the gifts they get for each other cost only a few dollars each. When Mama and Papa discuss it afterwards, it sounds like they had ten dollars to spend on each other, and they spent two or three dollars and kept the rest for themselves. No, they had ten dollars to spend, period. They still have to get gifts for Mama, Papa, and Honey. So, lets say they spent three dollars on each other. They can't do that for everyone, because that's out of their ten dollar budget. So, really, the cubs spent the most on each other than they did with anyone else.
3. Except that they don't. The greedy cubs only wind up buying a gift for each other. So, maybe Mama and Papa were right. They have two parents and another sibling to get gifts for, and they just don't. And then once they discover the joy of giving (basically the best thing ever, apparently), they don't go out to buy their baby sister a present. No, they give all of it to charity. All of it. I mean, giving the leftover money you have from Christmas presents to charity is great, but not when you neglected to get gifts for three family members. It doesn't make much since, especially since the cubs were more than eager to spend all their money on Christmas gifts for Mama and Papa last year.
4. Honey outright steals Sister's last quarter to donate it. HOW is that okay?
5. Sister and Brother are very excited to be a camel. They describe it as a very important role. What?
6. Mary rode a horse instead of a donkey in the play. Recently religion has been at the center of all the Berenstain Bears book. They don't just teach morals such as are in the Bible, now they reference the actual verses from the scriptures. It kind of creeps me out that bears are worshipping Jesus, but okay. If there's a religious element in each book, than so be it. But at least get the facts right.
This is the second worst Berenstain Bears book there is.
1. Compared to the original Christmas book, about meeting Santa, it was incredibly disappointing. The Santa book was about a young cubs worries about meeting Santa and about a family of bears on Christmas. The cubs get excited about the different gifts showed on TV, and they buy their parents presents. This one is a preachy books about the joy of giving. Really. Meet Santa Bear mentions that the cubs felt the joy of giving when they saw their parents open the gifts that they gave them. This book is completely about it, and it also makes kids getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas seem completely unjustifiable.
2. The part about the cubs buying gifts for each other. They have ten dollars, and they're hoping for a little leftover, so the gifts they get for each other cost only a few dollars each. When Mama and Papa discuss it afterwards, it sounds like they had ten dollars to spend on each other, and they spent two or three dollars and kept the rest for themselves. No, they had ten dollars to spend, period. They still have to get gifts for Mama, Papa, and Honey. So, lets say they spent three dollars on each other. They can't do that for everyone, because that's out of their ten dollar budget. So, really, the cubs spent the most on each other than they did with anyone else.
3. Except that they don't. The greedy cubs only wind up buying a gift for each other. So, maybe Mama and Papa were right. They have two parents and another sibling to get gifts for, and they just don't. And then once they discover the joy of giving (basically the best thing ever, apparently), they don't go out to buy their baby sister a present. No, they give all of it to charity. All of it. I mean, giving the leftover money you have from Christmas presents to charity is great, but not when you neglected to get gifts for three family members. It doesn't make much since, especially since the cubs were more than eager to spend all their money on Christmas gifts for Mama and Papa last year.
4. Honey outright steals Sister's last quarter to donate it. HOW is that okay?
5. Sister and Brother are very excited to be a camel. They describe it as a very important role. What?
6. Mary rode a horse instead of a donkey in the play. Recently religion has been at the center of all the Berenstain Bears book. They don't just teach morals such as are in the Bible, now they reference the actual verses from the scriptures. It kind of creeps me out that bears are worshipping Jesus, but okay. If there's a religious element in each book, than so be it. But at least get the facts right.
This is the second worst Berenstain Bears book there is.
December 1, 2017
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving is a story geared towards students ranging from Pre-K to Third grade. The story takes place around the holiday season. The cubs were excited for Christmas and all the gifts to come. In the end, Sister and Brother from their school play learn an important lesson of giving rather than receiving.
Throughout the book, each page has text and an illustration that accurately represents the passages. The images are colorful and full of life. The emotions reflected in each character’s face are priceless.
Overall, this book is a wonderful Christmas story. It highlights the values of sharing and being kind. It also teaches the joy of giving. However, this book may not be of interest to all students in the classroom if they do not celebrate this holiday. If I was to use this book I would read a variety of holiday books that occur at this same time of the year to be inclusive and teach students about a diverse group of traditions celebrated by many different people.
Throughout the book, each page has text and an illustration that accurately represents the passages. The images are colorful and full of life. The emotions reflected in each character’s face are priceless.
Overall, this book is a wonderful Christmas story. It highlights the values of sharing and being kind. It also teaches the joy of giving. However, this book may not be of interest to all students in the classroom if they do not celebrate this holiday. If I was to use this book I would read a variety of holiday books that occur at this same time of the year to be inclusive and teach students about a diverse group of traditions celebrated by many different people.
December 7, 2021
The overall message of the 'joy of giving' in this book is wonderful. This book is another great holiday one for children to read or be read to during that time. The only thing that is a little confusing is the religion/traditional Christmas values that the Berenstain Bears follow. However, when I step back and realize this is for a younger audience I think dabbing into that aspect may be over-complicating it. I do like the story and the message it teaches on the importance of giving during the holidays.
October 22, 2016
I had volunteered to read at the local library and was asked to select a book to read to the children. I must admit that I was happy to select a new Berenstain Bears' book. Their tales always embrace what is good and wholesome in this world. This was a tale about the warmth that is spread with giving and how it affects the entire family. I smiled throughout and the children enjoyed the experience. This was a joy to read.
August 26, 2019
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy Of Giving by Jan Berenstain
I love this book....this would be a very good book for children to read who can read. It talks about how to Give than to Receive and it is a good book to learn that. Children of all ages who are able to read should read this book. I highly recommend this book.
This is a Library E Book from my County Library and I read this on Overdrive.
I give this Book 5/5 Stars.
Happy Reading :)
I love this book....this would be a very good book for children to read who can read. It talks about how to Give than to Receive and it is a good book to learn that. Children of all ages who are able to read should read this book. I highly recommend this book.
This is a Library E Book from my County Library and I read this on Overdrive.
I give this Book 5/5 Stars.
Happy Reading :)
December 16, 2020
The message of giving vs, getting was nice. I also liked the summary of traditional Christmas pageant (which works for our Christian-based, non-church attending family to further provide explanations). But, overall the story was pretty 'meh'. I think it is interesting for the kid audience since they get to see characters they know from other books (or TV) but as an adult reading this book to a child, there was no real reward in the story.
August 4, 2018
This book is the worst. For one thing, the Berenstains were Jewish. Another, the Bear Bears don't talk about religion at all until freaking Mike Berenstain (also Jewish) decides to make the Bear Bears super conservative Christians. The Bible passages scattered throughout are really the icing on a really shit cake. I hate every time my kid makes me read a new bear bear book. The worst.
October 17, 2019
So many memories! I used to read this book so much when I was a little girl. This book is about a family of teddy bears where they are excited about giving something to someone else. This family of bears has a message to be thankful for what you got in life. Every single day we should be thankful. Nit all the time everyone has the same luck.
December 7, 2018
A lesson in a story
Berenstain bears have always been about a family of bears and the lessons the little ones learn. This allows people to easily entertain their kids while teaching them lessons.
Berenstain bears have always been about a family of bears and the lessons the little ones learn. This allows people to easily entertain their kids while teaching them lessons.
December 20, 2019
The Berenstain Bears illustrate my reason for gift giving in their always classic style of story telling simplicity. Every December I try to purchase a new Christmas book for the grandkids. The Joy of Giving was a wonderful choice this year. (And a lot less expensive than my usual book purchase!)
December 21, 2019
Better than I remembered
I had issues with this series as a kid, and am still not a fan of them. So I was pleasantly surprised to find this story to be very Biblically strong, and the family got along, and had good moral lessons.
I had issues with this series as a kid, and am still not a fan of them. So I was pleasantly surprised to find this story to be very Biblically strong, and the family got along, and had good moral lessons.
March 26, 2021
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving by Jan Berenstain is a cute book that teaches us the valuable lesson of giving to others. Brother Bear and Sister Bear learn are humbled in this book it is a good and cute read.
Lexile: 700
AR:4.1
Six traits: Ideas
Lexile: 700
AR:4.1
Six traits: Ideas
December 23, 2024
" Mama and Papa smiled with pride.
" You know what the Good Book says" Mama told them. "' It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
" We know, said Brother. " We receive an awful lot, só it's time we gave some of it." "
❤️
" You know what the Good Book says" Mama told them. "' It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
" We know, said Brother. " We receive an awful lot, só it's time we gave some of it." "
❤️
November 26, 2016
it was bad I. Hate it
Bad
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DVD
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X-Files
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December 27, 2017
Kinda long and draw out. I don’t remember seeing that this was based on the Bible story of Jesus but it was.... really not about the joy of giving but I see Where they were trying to go
January 3, 2018
The boys loved the story of the pageant and the importance of giving. The questions at the end of the book were helpful in starting a discussion about gift giving.
October 9, 2018
Wonderful book. Would make a great Christmas present.
December 4, 2018
Lovely book teaching the bears the joy of giving.
December 11, 2021
This is a sweet and simple story to prepare your young child early for the mindset of generosity and gratefulness.
December 17, 2021
The Berenstain children learn through the story of Jesus's birth that the real joy of Christmas is in giving and not recieving.
February 18, 2022
This was adorable and loved the illustrations! The storyline was adorable and we all could make sure we care and share with others more!
Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC!
Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC!
April 18, 2024
I love the Berenstain Bears books. This one was one about Christmas and the importance of giving. Brother and Sister bear used their leftover money to give to the needy.
December 19, 2025
Wonderful
Loved how sister and brother gave their money away. They got what the other person wanted even th9ugh they were trying to save money
Loved how sister and brother gave their money away. They got what the other person wanted even th9ugh they were trying to save money
November 12, 2018
This is the first Berenstain Bears book I've read from their "Living Lights A Faith Story" series. I loved it! If you are a Christian and or believe in Jesus then you will love these books!
In this one the cubs are in the Christmas Pageant at their church, before that they go shopping for 'others' but they each are thinking of themselves and go the 'cheapest' they could on their gifts so they'd have left over money. But after being in the pageant they both realized the greatest gift of all, and why it's so important and special to give more than you get. In the end they take their money they were saving for themselves and gives it to charity. Learning a lesson of giving. great story!
In this one the cubs are in the Christmas Pageant at their church, before that they go shopping for 'others' but they each are thinking of themselves and go the 'cheapest' they could on their gifts so they'd have left over money. But after being in the pageant they both realized the greatest gift of all, and why it's so important and special to give more than you get. In the end they take their money they were saving for themselves and gives it to charity. Learning a lesson of giving. great story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews