The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies

The Berenstain Bears

by Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain

Brother and Sister Bear want everything in sight, and they throw tantrums when they don't get what they want. Wisely Mama and Papa deal with this childhood malady by teaching the cubs about the family budget and the importance of appreciating all that they have already.  


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Classics, Family, Kids

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1988

About the author

Stan 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.

Reviews

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brother and sister bear are well behaved and their parents always treat them with toys and candy and such. But then brother and sister want more and more and if their parents refuse, they make a scene in front of other people and the parents have no choice but to get them the things that they want.

Mama and papa bear try to teach them not to be greedy and not to expect to get everything until their grandparents come around and they start to ask them about things too. Then the grandparents tell the papa bear that even he was also a gimmie-cub and they came up with a system of only having one treat per visit. It was going great but the end wasn't what I was expecting. It still tells the kids that it's okay to want treats every time you visit the market.

3 stars

[Heather Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to my nephew thinking it would provide a great lesson and solution to his "gimmies". It was going well and he was relating to it, but then the ending suggested that children should get something every time they go out to the store, they just need to stop asking for EVERYTHING and choose the one thing that they want before they go to the store.

I don't know what Momma and Papa Bear do for a living to be able to buy these kids something every time they go shopping, but this is an impractical solution, and honestly a bad lesson to teach kids they should get to have something every time they go out.

[Robert Sepulveda]

I learned that developing unhealthy dependencies to material goods and habits can lead to excessive expectations and ultimately to a disordered sense of reality. Additionally,that my discontent is directly proportional to my lack of gratitude.

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book that will hopefully help with my kids own gimmies. Brother and Sister get a little smug at the end, but the main story and message is good.

[George Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Officially cushioning my Goodreads stats with the books I read to the baby. I didn’t remember The Berenstain Bears having so much dialect writing!

[Danylle DuPris · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies" by Stan Berenstain is a really great book. Brother and Sister bear are at the store with Mama and Papa. As they're walking around the store, Brother and Sister see toys that they want. They ask Mama and Papa for the toys, they say they can have them. When they're about to check out, they see more toys they want. Mama does not want to buy them anymore toys, but Papa said they could get them. On their way out of the store, a big bear is selling little duck toys. Brother and Sister, of course, want them. Mama and Papa say no, but that's not the right answer for the cubs. The cubs start throwing a tantrum, and soon Papa gave in. At home, Grandma and Grandpa bear stop in. The cubs are so excited, and right away they ask if they brought any toys for them. Furious, Papa yells at them and sends them to their room. Will Brother and Sister bear learn their lesson? Or will they keep throwing tantrums whenever they don't get a toy.

"The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies" has two main characters, Brother and Sister bear. Brother and Sister bear want whatever they can get. Mama and Papa bear are getting fed up with their behavior. The cubs soon learn what they must do to keep Mama and Papa bear happy, and from them to continue getting toys.

"The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies" takes place in many places. The first place is at the store when the cubs throw a tantrum. The second place is at the bears family tree, where the cubs get in trouble for pestering Grandma and Grandpa bear for toys. It also takes place during the summer, present day.

The major theme in this book is selfishness. You can't always get what you want. If you want something you have to earn it. The cubs learn this in this book when they get in trouble for asking for too many toys. They learn to accept that they only need one toy when they go to the store.

I recommend "The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies" by Stan Berestain to every student, especially little kids, because I think everyone can learn a little something from this book. It's also a good and funny read.

[Saige Holcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think “Berenstain Bears - Get the Gimmies” was a very good book especially for children. I realize that when a child throws a temper tantrum over something they want and create a big ugly scene it is stressful and embarrassing for the parents. I like the part were the parent decided to buy their cubs only one treat when they go to the market because then they will not be spoiled. I also like the part were the cubs learned their lesson about being greedy and behaved properly at the end. My little sister Esther thought it was a really good book she liked the part where the cubs were throwing a tantrum.

“Berenstain Bears - Get the Gimmies” is about two bear cubs that basically get almost everything they want. One day they went to the market brother and sister bear had a big melt down when they wanted treats. Mama and Papa bear were furious and they got madder when their grandparents came with treats. While the cubs were in their room mama and papa decided to give them one treat and when the cubs overheard them they decided to behave better. The cubs learned their lesson and things were a lot easier.

I recommend “Berenstain Bears - Get the Gimmies” to children especially the ones that are spoiled. I recommend it to them because it will teach children that they cannot get everything they want in life and throwing a fit will not solve anything. It can also teach them that creating a big scene in public would be embarrassing for the parents.

[Blake]

“The Berenstain Bears: Get the Gimmies,” was a childrens book written by Stan and Jan Berenstain. The story began with brother cub and sister cub who went to the store with their parents. While they left the store to go home, the cubs wanted everything they saw on the candy shelve. They threw a tantrum because their parents wouldn’t let them get anything. They also saw a ride and threw a tantrum to ride it. When they got home, there parents told them that they won't always be able to get everything they wanted and saying the two cubs had a case of the “gimmies.” When their grandparents came over, the cubs asked right away what their grandparents got for them. Papa bear sent them to their room because they did not obey what their parents just said. Then, grandma told a story about papa bear having the “gimmies” and how they solved it. The solution was that the cubs had to decide on one thing they wanted before they got to the store and that is the only thing they get, no complaining. They decided and the next time they went to the store, the cubs got their one thing with no complaining.

The main characters in the book are brother cub, sister cub, and papa bear. Brother and Sister are like any five year-old present day child. They throw tantrums when they don't get things they want and mess around with everything which gets them into trouble. Papa is a regular father attempting to discipline his cubs so they have manners and act more mature.

The setting most of the time takes place in the General Store in their town. Otherwise, it is at the Berenstain Bears’ home. The illustrations go along very well with the storyline and gives a better visual throughout the book. This book could take place at any time; present day or in the past.

I would recommend this book to all little kids and encourage parents to read it to their younger son or daughter. It is a very good book to read before bedtime to encourage your kids how not to act in a store. I rate this book a four out of five because it gives a good teaching lesson to younger kids but for me it was a little boring.

[Ryan Pomerenke · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was once a family of bears that lived in Bear Country. Mama and Papa Bear had two cubs: Sister and Brother Bear. “The Berenstain Bears Get The Gimmies” is about Brother and Sister Bear learning the importance of being glad with what they have. At the beginning of the book, the two Bears constantly beg for candy and toys when they go to the store. Because of the children’s behavior, Papa Bear tells the kids they need to be grateful for what they have. The children say they understand, but when Gramps and Gran Bear abruptly arrive, they immediately ask their grandparents if they have gifts for them. The Bear parents and grandparents talk about a plan to encourage the children to behave properly. In order for Brother or Sister Bear to get anything when they went shopping, they had to plan ahead of time on getting only one item. Also, if the children began begging for toys or candy, they got nothing and everyone had to go home. This plan worked well.

The main characters are Mama, Papa, Sister, and Brother Bear. All throughout the book, Brother and Sister Bear were focused on asking for more than they needed, and whining until they got what they wanted. Towards the end of the story, Mama and Papa bear taught Brother and Sister Bear to be happy with what they had, and that they didn’t always need to get whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it. The bears are described both directly and indirectly.

“The Berenstain Bears Get The Gimmies” takes place in modern times at the supermarket and mall in Bear Country.

The main theme in this story appreciating what you have and not being greedy. For example, every time Brother and Sister Bear went shopping with Mama and Papa, the cubs would always beg for more toys or candy. After everything Mama and Papa bear told them, Brother and Sister Bear realized they should be content with what they have.

Even though “The Berenstain Bears Get The Gimmies” is a simple children’s book, it highlights a good point: people should be happy with what they have. Because this is a simple and meaningful story, I would recommend it to anybody of any age.

[Nicholas Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read “The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies” by Stan and Jan Berenstain. This book was good, and it sent a very good message. Brother and Sister Bear try to take advantage of Mama and Papa Bear. The cubs want everything when they go somewhere, and Mama and Papa give in and buy them what they want. If Mama and Papa denied the cub’s request, they would throw a fit in front of everyone at the store. Mama and Papa Bear find out that Gramps and Gran came up with a plan for Papa Bear when he did this same thing as a cub. So Mama and Papa tried the plan, and it worked on the cubs.


The Berenstain Bear family came together more as a family after Mama and Papa Bear stopped giving into the cubs. Mama and Papa Bear found out that giving into what the cubs wanted is not the right way to go. Everything turned around when Gramps and Gran gave them an idea that would help the family. The author used indirect characterization to describe Brother and Sister Bear as always wanting everything in the world.


The story takes place in Bear Country in a convenience store and the Bear’s house. The cubs always go with Mama and Papa to the store where they are begging them to buy toys and treats. At home, Brother and Sister Bear are normally punished for their actions.


The message in this story is as plain as day. The author is trying to tell everyone that if parents give into everything their children want, the kids will expect the parents to buy them everything they want. As a parent, your job is to teach your child right from wrong when they're old enough to understand. The kids need to learn good behavior, so it’s best to start young.

I would recommend this book to anyone. Even though it’s a childrens book, many parents would have a good use for it to teach their children. This book is one anyone could read and understand the message.

[Alexis Kloehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Berenstain Bears have great stories. This one is especially great. “The Berenstain Bears Get The Gimmies” is a story about Brother and Sister getting a case of the gimmies. This means they want everything they see; candy, books, crayons, toys and anything sweet. Mama and Papa bear are trying to find a way to fix this. Gramps and Gran come over with toys for Brother and Sister. This just makes things worse. They get sent to their rooms and Papa bear explains the situation. Gramps tells them how to fix it.
The characters are all bears in this story. They don’t use names, just who they are in the family. There is a Brother and Sister, which are the two kids that want everything they see. Mama and Papa bear, obviously their parents. Finally Gramps and Gran which are Papa bear’s parents that give them advice.
The Bear family lived together in the big tree house. They lived on a sunny dirty road in Bear County. The story takes place at the local supermarket and mall. The rest of the story takes place in the middle of summer at the Bear’s home.
The theme of this story is you cannot get everything you want. The bear children think they can have whatever they want because they just cry every time they don’t get it. Usually Papa bear gives in to them which isn’t good because they are greedy. They change this with Gramp’s advice.
I loved this story. It suites every age because it reminds you not to be greedy. The best case to use this book is while parenting to read it to children that have a case of the gimmies. Even adults should read this to remind them that they can’t have everything they want. It was worth my time to read this book.

[Kaleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the book “The Berenstain Bears Get The Gimmies”. This book is about a family of four bears. The bear's names are: Mama, Papa, Brother, and Sister Bear. In the book the family goes around town and Brother and Sister Bear keep begging for stuff. They are very spoiled and act very inappropriate. Papa bear, however, keeps giving in and spoiling them more. Finally he says enough is enough. After he has a talk with them and they make a deal that whenever they go to the store Brother and Sister Bear can each get one treat. In the end everybody is happy, Brother and Sister Bear are not spoiled anymore.

In the book there are four characters. Mama, Papa, Brother, and Sister Bear. Mama Bear is nice, caring, and wants to make sure she raises her cubs right. Papa Bear wants to give the cubs what they want and make them happy, but he also gets mad when he spoils them. Brother and Sister Bear are young, immature, and always want something new whenever they go somewhere.

The setting takes place in summer at the Bear’s town. In the town is the market and some other buildings. Outside the market there is a ride for kids and people trying to sell other goods. The Bear’s house is also in town.

I give this book a three star because it was not great, but it helps you learn how to react in tough family situations. I would recommend this book for anyone my age and younger because it is either a really easy good read, or it is a good book for children.

[Miranda Potratz · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Get The Gimmies” by Stan and Jan Berenstain was a great book. It is about little brother and sister bear having a bad case of the galloping greedy gimmies. They was scream and complain to mama and papa bear for things they wanted every time they went somewhere. Brother and sister bear kept crying and yelling for things at the store that they wanted until mama or papa bear would give in and give them what they wanted. Mama bear stopped giving in but papa bear didn’t until it got too out of hand and he yelled at them. Grizzly gramps and gran gave mama and papa bear a new technique to make them less greedy. It finally worked and brother and sister bear learned their lesson.

The characters are brother bear, sister bear, mama bear, papa bear, and grandma and grandpa bear. Brother and sister bear and nice and like to have fun but at first they were very greedy. Mama and papa bear are kind and caring. Grandma and grandpa bear and thoughtful and wise.

The setting of the story takes place in Bear County. The bears lived in a big tree house. They spent a lot of time in the local store in town. This story is fiction and based on present day.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fun to read and gave a good lesson about not being greedy. I would recommend this book to teenagers or anyone younger.

[Corey Schmidt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the book “The Berenstain Bears Get The Gimmies.” It’s written by Stan and Jan Berenstain. The book starts out in a supermarket where the family of bears are shopping. It takes a dramatic turn for the worst when Brother and Sister bear see something they want and throw a tantrum when they can’t get it. Mama and Papa don’t know what to do. Papa’s parents give him an idea on how to solve the problem and it works.

Mama, Papa, Brother, and Sister are the four main characters in this book. Mama and Papa are fully grown bears. Sister and Brother bear are their two young bear cubs.

The book doesn’t go into detail about the setting, but it mostly takes place in the supermarket and at their house. It does not give a time.

I thought this book was a good book and would recommend it to kids eight and under. It was a good childrens book. I would also recommend it to parents that have problems with their kids wanting everything. It might give them an idea or two on how to stop that behavior. In the end i would give this book three out of five stars.

[Jordan]

"The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies" is a children's book written by Stan Berenstain. This book is about a Brother and Sister bear wanting everything. When they walk into a store, they both throw a temper tantrum if they don't get what they want. Mother and Father bear finally sit down with them and explain that the family doesn't have enough money to buy everything they want. So, now if they go somewhere they don't argue about not getting something.

The characters in this book are Mother bear, Father bear and their cubs. They have one girl cub, which is Sister bear; also one boy cub and they call him Brother bear. Early on in the story, the cubs go with their grandparents.

The setting of this book is in Bear county. They live in a tree house. The book starts out at the tree house and then they drive to the store to get groceries. This book was written in 1998.

I recommend this book to elementary students. This will give them a good understanding when they ask their parents to buy something they don't get it.

[John Jorgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characterization: Ma and Pa bear are the ones in charge. The cubs are their children.

Plot: In this story, the cubs, whine every time that they want something, in order to get Ma and Pa bear to buy it for them. Ma and Pa bear try to get the cubs to stop whining when they want something.

Setting: Takes place in Bear county in a tree house during this time period. It had to be in Bear county, because that is where they live.

Who and Why: I would recommend this book to a grade Schooler, because it is a child's book.

[Logan Erdmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is actually very interesting. I would recommend it to readers of any age. It is a really fun read and is easy to understand. The book is about greed and the need to want more instead of being grateful. The two young cubs also show the maturity at the end of the book. Overall it was a good book.

[Linnea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Best Berenstain Bears book. look at Mama Bear's face there. Oooo. Just from looking at the cover you can tell this book is going to be good!

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again the late Stan and Jan Berenstain give us another lesson in morality based on wholesome values that are unrealistic and, if you're a modern day kid, pretty non-existent. The Bear family don't need to live in a cave but they do "cave in" whenever Brother and Sister Bear (notice no real first names are used cos these are BEARS) get greedy and beg Mama and Papa Bear to "gimme" the next chewy candy bar or that new mechanical ride at the corner store (Stan and Jan obviously haven't gotten out of the 1870s where motorized horsey rides were as part of "their" landscape as salt licks on sticks and whitewashed fences for apples). Papa certainly is furious, as bears get when nothing goes right, and decides to cave in to mama on her suggestions for reinforcing the values of not being greedy. IE: send the cubs upstairs with no tv for a week to a year. (As noted, these bears don't live in caves, oh no. They have their own two story house with a tv. So Norman Rockwell it gives even Norman Rockwell nightmares in his gravebed!) Then Grampa and Gran Bear come over, and boy wait'll they show Papa! Gramps reminds Papa that what Brother and Sister are NOW.... Papa Bear was just as bad THEN when he himself was a cub! Now how Walton's can you get? Still, fans will likely ask their own parents to GIMME THE NEWEST BERENSTAIN BEARS BOOK!!! And who do you think started that one? Stan and Jan, ythink? Sometimes practicing what you preach is a foreign concept to preachers.
Three stars
Berenstain Bears are good for greed!

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh does every parent know this one - the way that the kids will always want something, no matter where you go. Here's the problem I have with this story:

The kids have an expectation that they get something every time they go out shopping.

In poorer families this doesn't happen. Nor will it happen. Also, the entire tantrum thing should never have been allowed in the first place. So if this is an actual problem in your home, then I'm thinking a picture book for the children isn't necessarily the thing that's needed, and that maybe this book is aimed more at the adults than the children.

The solution given most certainly is.

What I couldn't help thinking was that my own children never had that expectation. They behaved in the store because I gave them things to do to help. They weren't aware that the things by the cash register were even for sale because I never picked up anything there - ever - to buy when we were at the register. Nor did they ask for things. Sometimes they were given treats, and even today still say 'thank you' when someone gets them something unexpected.

Honestly? I cringed over reading this one a little bit. And so did my daughter.

[Gabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom used to read this book all the time to my sister and me to remind us to be grateful for what we have and teach us not to be greedy. In this book, Brother and Sister have a terrible case of the greedy gimmies and would constantly fuss and create a scene as they begged Mama and Papa for candy, new toys, and money to ride the rides. When they got home, Mama was visibly annoyed and Papa expressed his anger in a loud and scary voice. No longer did Mama and Papa spoil Brother and Sister and they eventually got over their case of the greedy gimmies. Just like my mom used to do, I think it is a great book to read to children as it helps them reflect on what they are blessed with. Just as Brother and Sister saw how embarrassing it was seeing another cub fuss with the gimmies, children can see the embarrassment it causes from reading this book. This could be a good way to introduce the differences between needs versus wants to young children with a follow-up activity where they categorize the different things in their life that they need and want.

[Scout Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I get that parents get mad, but I feel like it's not a great example that Papa Bear is constantly "roaring" and being super angry while Mama Bear is "annoyed" constantly. Children will be children and if they have been raised by their parents to throw a fit every time they don't get something they want, it's not really appropriate to call their behaviour "disgusting, disgraceful, etc." (forget the other words used) as if it's all their fault. I'm glad the parents realized it was partially about how they were dealing with it and that the Papa Bear was the same as a child.

As usual the illustrations were good.

I get the lesson they were trying to teach, and the solution they came up with was actually a really good idea. But I would have toned down how judgmental the parents were.

[Kristen Fraley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book teaches an important lesson that kids often lack the clarity to see themselves. This problem, “the gimmies,” plagues many boys and girls, when they want and want and want, and throw fits as a result of this wanting. Papa and Mama Bear struggle to deal with this issue when it arises among Brother and Sister Bear. This is resolved by some helpful advice presented by Gram and Grampa Bear. A valuable lesson is taught to Brother and Sister Bear when they discover that life is more than the things you have.

The Berenstain Bears are well-known characters that can prove to be a valuable teacher resource. Relatable characters allow this storyline and moral to be recognized more fully by its intended audience.

[Eric Leeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a father of three young children the Gimmies happen far more than I would like. It is frustrating, embarrassing and each situation calls for a unique response; though none involve giving in to such behavior, doing so just calls for more of such events. My eldest has learned to listen to reason, my second still is learning and surprises my wife and I with his maturity. The baby will test us in the future I am sure, but I am hopeful that the amount of gimmie experienced will be less than either of her siblings. A fun story to read my kids, I guess I missed when I was younger.

[MarineCAT · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Berenstain Bears books are great to read for any generation. I had pulled these out to look at them again, and I was instantly going down memory lane. The illustrations are great, and the story always has a moral. The Gimmies teaches yet another valuable lesson for children. In this story, it teaches discipline and control for the parents. I remember as a kid, reading this and thinking that I hope that I don't act like this. As always, this is a great story to have and read for children.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

When going to the store becomes a chore and Mama and Papa start getting embarrassed because the cubs are always wanting something and when 'no' isn't enough they know something has to be done. So when Grams and Gramps come for a visit they remind Papa what they did when he got the Gimmies when he was their age. Great lesson for the cubs AND for modern day children as well.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Brother and sister are spoiled and throw a fit. They get in trouble. Grandma suggests that they decide before they go to the store what they want and they aren't allowed to throw fits. It works. When checking out, a kid behind them throws a fit, and the cubs are bothered by it and want to leave.

[McKenzie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to love this book as a child. All the colors and alluring pictures accurately display how a child can be easily swayed by marketing strategies. It explains this in an easy matter for children to understand while simultaneously giving parents techniques to cope with "the gimmies." I enjoyed this story just as much as an adult.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Berenstain bear family tries to deal with the young bears' ever present greed wanting everything they see on a shopping trip. The family learns a strategy from Grandpa and Gran which helps solve the problem of the gimmies. A good story to use when families are facing a similar situation. It introduces some language which can be used to deal with this issue.

[Enzo Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story remimd kids you can't alway get what you want...

Because if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need...

Maybe a better lesson for parents than for kids...