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The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Red Kite
Hardcover Penguin Putnam~childrens Hc
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
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 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 24, 2018
Text-to-World Connection: How does the theme or content presented in the book connect to something happening in the world?
The Big Red Kite is a book I've read many times as a child and also as a parent. It is a wonderful book about making something out of nothing and believing in yourself and your work. The brother and sister bear both want to participate in the kite contest, but do not have a kite. Luckily, their parents help them come up with the materials needed to make a kite worthy of flying in the contest. It is a simple red kite, but they made it with their own hands and with that it holds so much more value. And although the other bears at the contest scoff at their simple kite, their kite perseveres and wins first prize. As Mama Bear says in the end, "You passed a more important test: You didn't quit! You did your best." Often times we get blinded by what is "the best" and forget that as long as you do "your best" that is all that matters.
The Big Red Kite is a book I've read many times as a child and also as a parent. It is a wonderful book about making something out of nothing and believing in yourself and your work. The brother and sister bear both want to participate in the kite contest, but do not have a kite. Luckily, their parents help them come up with the materials needed to make a kite worthy of flying in the contest. It is a simple red kite, but they made it with their own hands and with that it holds so much more value. And although the other bears at the contest scoff at their simple kite, their kite perseveres and wins first prize. As Mama Bear says in the end, "You passed a more important test: You didn't quit! You did your best." Often times we get blinded by what is "the best" and forget that as long as you do "your best" that is all that matters.
February 22, 2025
A good simple first book, learn to read. Big red is amazing of course.
October 18, 2016
Berenstain Bears are always a fail safe choice all kids enjoy.
August 29, 2019
I love the Bernenstain Bears! And I love how the Papa Bear does his best to help give his children what they want. And I love how the children doubt that Papa Bear and Mama Bear know what they are talking about - how often does that happen?! I love that Papa Bear doesn't care about any of the criticisms of his kite but has faith that his kite will fly well and that they will have fun.
* Talking Points: Have you ever wondered about the wisdom of your parents? What are the things you love best about your parents? No one is perfect, what are things that you wish you could change about your parents? What are the things you wish you could change about yourself?
** Essential Oil & Book pairing tip: Sometimes as adults we can't remember the fun of youthful pursuits like kite flying until were actually doing it again. If that seems to fit you, you might try diffusing some of doTERRA's Wild orange or Tangerine or putting a few drops of them in your water. I'm guessing it will help put you in the playful mood. (I'd never suggest ingesting any other brand's essential oils. because every batch of doTERRA oils are 3rd party tested to make sure they are Certified Pure and Therapeutic Grade and
* Talking Points: Have you ever wondered about the wisdom of your parents? What are the things you love best about your parents? No one is perfect, what are things that you wish you could change about your parents? What are the things you wish you could change about yourself?
** Essential Oil & Book pairing tip: Sometimes as adults we can't remember the fun of youthful pursuits like kite flying until were actually doing it again. If that seems to fit you, you might try diffusing some of doTERRA's Wild orange or Tangerine or putting a few drops of them in your water. I'm guessing it will help put you in the playful mood. (I'd never suggest ingesting any other brand's essential oils. because every batch of doTERRA oils are 3rd party tested to make sure they are Certified Pure and Therapeutic Grade and
August 9, 2024
I have such fond memories of reading this to/with my son, but I really want and need to declutter.
There's a kite contest in town and the kids spring it on papa bear at the last minute (just like you and or your kids suddenly remembered the need for purple construction paper or something equally obscure at the last minute before school).
Papa Bear saves the day by hand making a kite out of materials on hand, but the ever wise Mama Bear spots a problem: It won't fly without a tail! So she takes care of that with an old bedsheet.
The kids and Papa arrive at the contest only to realize that everyone else has FANCY kites and everyone is mocking them**, but they/Papa try anyway and once they get it in the air the wind really picks up and all those other kites aren't strong enough. The gang proudly brings their trophy home to Mama and she gives the sage last words "you passed a more important test: you didn't quit! You did your best"
Rhyme structure is great because it helps memorize and build the reading "muscles".
Loses a star for Papa being the actor (he built the kite, he flew it, he held the trophy) instead of the kids and for Mama staying home (though her actions/words are the wisest as usual!)
**Again I connect to being the kid with the homemade costume or the off brand school supply or clothes and the idea of overcoming that feeling of being judged
There's a kite contest in town and the kids spring it on papa bear at the last minute (just like you and or your kids suddenly remembered the need for purple construction paper or something equally obscure at the last minute before school).
Papa Bear saves the day by hand making a kite out of materials on hand, but the ever wise Mama Bear spots a problem: It won't fly without a tail! So she takes care of that with an old bedsheet.
The kids and Papa arrive at the contest only to realize that everyone else has FANCY kites and everyone is mocking them**, but they/Papa try anyway and once they get it in the air the wind really picks up and all those other kites aren't strong enough. The gang proudly brings their trophy home to Mama and she gives the sage last words "you passed a more important test: you didn't quit! You did your best"
Rhyme structure is great because it helps memorize and build the reading "muscles".
Loses a star for Papa being the actor (he built the kite, he flew it, he held the trophy) instead of the kids and for Mama staying home (though her actions/words are the wisest as usual!)
**Again I connect to being the kid with the homemade costume or the off brand school supply or clothes and the idea of overcoming that feeling of being judged
June 18, 2020
Brother and Sister Bear want to enter the kite-flying contest, but they don’t have a kite. What will they do? Will they find a way to get a kite and enter the contest?
With its trademark rhyme and repetition making this easy-reader book perfect for beginning readers, the familiar characters will delight young children. Parents will appreciate the messages of persistence and doing your best . . . both important lessons for children to learn. Additionally, children see the unkindness of bullying, helping them to understand how bullying hurts others. They also see the family working together to solve a problem, providing a positive representation of family. Colorful illustrations bring the story to life for young readers.
This Berenstain Bear Cub Club edition is part of the Readers Digest Young Families series.
Recommended.
With its trademark rhyme and repetition making this easy-reader book perfect for beginning readers, the familiar characters will delight young children. Parents will appreciate the messages of persistence and doing your best . . . both important lessons for children to learn. Additionally, children see the unkindness of bullying, helping them to understand how bullying hurts others. They also see the family working together to solve a problem, providing a positive representation of family. Colorful illustrations bring the story to life for young readers.
This Berenstain Bear Cub Club edition is part of the Readers Digest Young Families series.
Recommended.
April 18, 2018
Morgan's Review (7yo) - I really liked this one.
Aunt Robbin's Review- So I used to love reading the Berenstain Bears when I was little and I was really excited to see Morgan taking a interest in their books as well. I am a huge fan of Stan and Jan Berenstain. I love how they make the reader feel like they are part of a family. I would definitely recommend it.
Aunt Robbin's Review- So I used to love reading the Berenstain Bears when I was little and I was really excited to see Morgan taking a interest in their books as well. I am a huge fan of Stan and Jan Berenstain. I love how they make the reader feel like they are part of a family. I would definitely recommend it.
December 19, 2018
The Bear family builds a kite for a competition that maybe isn't as fancy as other kites, but still is pretty amazing all the same.
This is one of the better of the more recent Berenstain Bears books. For one thing, Papa isn't an entire idiot and we're not banging the reader over the head with a heavy moral (though it's still there).
This is one of the better of the more recent Berenstain Bears books. For one thing, Papa isn't an entire idiot and we're not banging the reader over the head with a heavy moral (though it's still there).
July 29, 2021
I like it because they did not give up.
July 13, 2025
The Berenstain Bears are fun with great art and good lessons. And they’re my *favorite* example of the Mandela effect.
October 23, 2025
I enjoyed this one. I’m not always a berenstain bears fan but this one had a good message promoting determination and doing your best.
October 9, 2016
Poorly written in forced rhyme.
Boring. Rhymes are reminiscent of “The Cat in the Hat”, and it feels weird and forced compared to the other Berenstain Bears books which don't always rhyme. Nobody talks like that. When you put it into rhyme like that, it doesn't sound natural. The reason "The Cat in the Hat" sounds like it does is because Dr. Seuss was deliberately trying to use a limited vocabulary.
“Yes, Brother Bear./I see. That's right./But we can't go./We have no kite!” “No kite? No kite?/Now, do not worry./I can make one/in a hurry!” Nobody talks like that! That's just weird.
So there's a kite contest. It doesn't say what the contest is about, and doesn't say what they're being judged on. They make a kite out of paper and an old bed sheet for a tail. They go to the contest and look at all the other kites. The judge and the other contestants go, “Nyah, your kite isn't fancy like everybody else's kite!” and they say, “Yeah? Well, let's fly!” They keep trying, and they get the kite up in the air, and the wind gets really strong. All the fancy kites break because the wind is too strong, but their homemade kite doesn't break for no apparent reason, just because it's not “fancy”. Since all the other kites broke, they win more or less by default. It says “they win fair and square.” In fact, it says it twice, both times rhyming it with “Bear.”
The last page says that the most important thing is that they didn't quit and that they did their best. Oddly, they weren't really thinking of quitting, even when people were making fun of their kite.
The best part, the mockery of the kite: “It looks homemade.” “Too plain!” “Too crude!” “Too heavy!” “Too red!”
For more children's book reviews, see my website at http://www.drttmk.com.
Boring. Rhymes are reminiscent of “The Cat in the Hat”, and it feels weird and forced compared to the other Berenstain Bears books which don't always rhyme. Nobody talks like that. When you put it into rhyme like that, it doesn't sound natural. The reason "The Cat in the Hat" sounds like it does is because Dr. Seuss was deliberately trying to use a limited vocabulary.
“Yes, Brother Bear./I see. That's right./But we can't go./We have no kite!” “No kite? No kite?/Now, do not worry./I can make one/in a hurry!” Nobody talks like that! That's just weird.
So there's a kite contest. It doesn't say what the contest is about, and doesn't say what they're being judged on. They make a kite out of paper and an old bed sheet for a tail. They go to the contest and look at all the other kites. The judge and the other contestants go, “Nyah, your kite isn't fancy like everybody else's kite!” and they say, “Yeah? Well, let's fly!” They keep trying, and they get the kite up in the air, and the wind gets really strong. All the fancy kites break because the wind is too strong, but their homemade kite doesn't break for no apparent reason, just because it's not “fancy”. Since all the other kites broke, they win more or less by default. It says “they win fair and square.” In fact, it says it twice, both times rhyming it with “Bear.”
The last page says that the most important thing is that they didn't quit and that they did their best. Oddly, they weren't really thinking of quitting, even when people were making fun of their kite.
The best part, the mockery of the kite: “It looks homemade.” “Too plain!” “Too crude!” “Too heavy!” “Too red!”
For more children's book reviews, see my website at http://www.drttmk.com.
August 7, 2016
I don't remember reading this one when I was a kid, but I enjoyed reading it to my son. The kids was to go to a kite show, but have no kite so Papa Bear builds one for them. It's of simple construction: a red diamond kite with a white sheet tail. Others scoff because it's 'homemade' but ends up being better than the rest because it doesn't break in strong wind and they win first place.
September 2, 2014
This was more fun than I remembered. Papa Bear reminds me of an amalgamation of my ex-girlfriend's dad and Homer Simpson. I kind of want to fly a kite, now.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews