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The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Question
When Sister Bear asks her mother about God, Mama tries to explain.
24 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
Stan Berenstain
925 books707 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 25, 2023
I read this because it showed up on a banned book list… 176 books removed from libraries in Duval County, Florida. I’m like: who bans the Berenstain Bears???? Apparently, some people don’t like questions or not giving definitive answers to questions. 🤷🏻♀️
As for the book, it was just ok. If a kid just picked it up, I’m sure they’d find it boring and non eventful. But if a kid was asking questions about God, this might be a good book to read together as it could open discussion and be guided by the parent as they preferred since it was left so open to interpretation.
As for the book, it was just ok. If a kid just picked it up, I’m sure they’d find it boring and non eventful. But if a kid was asking questions about God, this might be a good book to read together as it could open discussion and be guided by the parent as they preferred since it was left so open to interpretation.
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January 29, 2023I know I read this as a child because I remember Mama Bear not being thrilled about the slugs. It shows a particular style of worship and it mostly deals with thankfulness, love, and questions.
Removed from DCPS, which is why I got it from the library. I'm trying to read all 176 to better form opinions on book removal in schools. Though, I don't think books should be. (Plus, I loved these books as a child.)
His Dark Materials was the one series I was told not to read while in elementary school. I had to have permission for Handmaid's Tale in high school.
Removed from DCPS, which is why I got it from the library. I'm trying to read all 176 to better form opinions on book removal in schools. Though, I don't think books should be. (Plus, I loved these books as a child.)
His Dark Materials was the one series I was told not to read while in elementary school. I had to have permission for Handmaid's Tale in high school.
October 11, 2016
The Big Question deserves a better answer.
For a book that's supposed to be about what God is, this book is very vague. But I guess that's the kind of answer you get when you ask that question.
Sister Bear is wondering what God is. They say Grace and stuff, but apparently the bears have never been to church, despite the fact that they clearly go in other books. Maybe this is their first experience with church, who knows? So she asks her mom, “What's God?” And Papa Bear overhears and takes her and gives her what is literally described as a “big boring lecture.” And Mama Bear comes in and removes Sister and says, “Let's go gardening.”
And Mama Bear says, “God made everything. That's all you need to remember. The birds, the flowers, the sunshine. They're all God's work. All part of God's great plan.” “Everything?” “Yes!” “Clouds and trees and butterflies?” “Yes!” “Worms and spiders and big yellow slugs?” “Yes!” “Cold germs? Bellyaches? Earthquakes? Fires? Floods? Tornadoes?” “Hmm, look at the time!”
She evades the question and they go to church, because it happens to be time to go to church. The whole family goes to services, and they get pointed out as being new people. Instead of preaching, the preacher has everybody else talk. Sister Bear is bored to tears when nobody is talking. People say, “I'm grateful to God for the land we live in!” Their grandparents say, “I'm grateful to God for my grandcubs!” The mom stands up and says, “I'm glad we came!” And then they leave and Sister asks, “Did God make questions?” And Papa Bear says, “Mostly questions.” The end.
Sister Bear has a question and it doesn't get answered. This is like answering the question of “Who's Grandpa Smith?” by saying, “I'm really glad we have nice silverware.”
The best part, the depiction of the “big, boring lecture”: “BLAH-BLAH-BLAH--- BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF STARS AND PLANETS--- BLAH-BLAH--- EACH IN ITS OWN APPOINTED TIME AND PLACE--- BLAH-BLAH--- STRETCHED TO INFINITY---”
For more children's book reviews, check my website at http://www.drttmk.com.
For a book that's supposed to be about what God is, this book is very vague. But I guess that's the kind of answer you get when you ask that question.
Sister Bear is wondering what God is. They say Grace and stuff, but apparently the bears have never been to church, despite the fact that they clearly go in other books. Maybe this is their first experience with church, who knows? So she asks her mom, “What's God?” And Papa Bear overhears and takes her and gives her what is literally described as a “big boring lecture.” And Mama Bear comes in and removes Sister and says, “Let's go gardening.”
And Mama Bear says, “God made everything. That's all you need to remember. The birds, the flowers, the sunshine. They're all God's work. All part of God's great plan.” “Everything?” “Yes!” “Clouds and trees and butterflies?” “Yes!” “Worms and spiders and big yellow slugs?” “Yes!” “Cold germs? Bellyaches? Earthquakes? Fires? Floods? Tornadoes?” “Hmm, look at the time!”
She evades the question and they go to church, because it happens to be time to go to church. The whole family goes to services, and they get pointed out as being new people. Instead of preaching, the preacher has everybody else talk. Sister Bear is bored to tears when nobody is talking. People say, “I'm grateful to God for the land we live in!” Their grandparents say, “I'm grateful to God for my grandcubs!” The mom stands up and says, “I'm glad we came!” And then they leave and Sister asks, “Did God make questions?” And Papa Bear says, “Mostly questions.” The end.
Sister Bear has a question and it doesn't get answered. This is like answering the question of “Who's Grandpa Smith?” by saying, “I'm really glad we have nice silverware.”
The best part, the depiction of the “big, boring lecture”: “BLAH-BLAH-BLAH--- BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF STARS AND PLANETS--- BLAH-BLAH--- EACH IN ITS OWN APPOINTED TIME AND PLACE--- BLAH-BLAH--- STRETCHED TO INFINITY---”
For more children's book reviews, check my website at http://www.drttmk.com.
April 13, 2020
4/12/20 age 7 - The story is about two big questions about God. It was OK. I liked the questions. I did not like that Mama didn't answer the second question. No one did.
Words that describe this book: boring, OK. It was boring because Mama didn't answer the second question.
I would recommend this book to people who like books, because "OK" is a little bit between "fine" and "I didn't like it."
Words that describe this book: boring, OK. It was boring because Mama didn't answer the second question.
I would recommend this book to people who like books, because "OK" is a little bit between "fine" and "I didn't like it."
November 21, 2013
I like that this book did not give one straight this-is-the-only one answer to the question of God. It is, after all, called the Berenstain Bears and the Big Question. I do feel there isn't really enough here and finished the book both unsatisfied and a little weirded out.
July 10, 2023
I love the Berenstain Bear books, by Stan, Jan and Mike Berenstain. I have treasured hardcovers from the 1970s, as well as paperbacks from the 2000s and 2010s when my kids were little. They are thoughtful, funny, sensitive, inspirational and thought-provoking. In 'The Big Question', the Bear family talk about 'God' and attend a Judeo/Christian style 'Church' for bears, where the parents teach the young bears about community and thankfulness.
The warped minds of the School Board in the state of Florida, USA, have banned this beautiful and important children's book, perhaps because it does not conform with their notion of right wing Christianity? I really have no idea except that Fascists like to Censor Free Thought and Free Speech.
Wilful ignorance seeks to enforce further ignorance?
When we examine the list of banned books, many are about helping children to accept different culture, both international, and LGBTIQ, learning to love and live with one another, as most religious leaders over the ages have implored us to do. Love, peace and tolerance.
People who wish to silence these messages, are haters of people from different cultures, genders and sexualities. Let's not allow them to teach our kids to hate, and block our children from learning acceptance of others and self.
Join me in the 'Banned in Florida Book Review Challenge 2023'! Let's show these 176 works of literature some love, with reviews and ratings.
Fight censorship for Free Speech!
The warped minds of the School Board in the state of Florida, USA, have banned this beautiful and important children's book, perhaps because it does not conform with their notion of right wing Christianity? I really have no idea except that Fascists like to Censor Free Thought and Free Speech.
Wilful ignorance seeks to enforce further ignorance?
When we examine the list of banned books, many are about helping children to accept different culture, both international, and LGBTIQ, learning to love and live with one another, as most religious leaders over the ages have implored us to do. Love, peace and tolerance.
People who wish to silence these messages, are haters of people from different cultures, genders and sexualities. Let's not allow them to teach our kids to hate, and block our children from learning acceptance of others and self.
Join me in the 'Banned in Florida Book Review Challenge 2023'! Let's show these 176 works of literature some love, with reviews and ratings.
Fight censorship for Free Speech!
March 23, 2024
I picked this up curious to see what the Berenstain Bears could possibly have to say about God (and was also intrigued to see this book on banned book lists). I appreciate that these questions are raised because children will ask about God, especially if your family is in the practice of going to church. Even if you're not, your children are exposed to the idea of God from friends and just by being out in the world. A book like this, I thought, could help provide some of those answers.
The problem was, whiles the questions were raised, no real answers were given. I felt Mama Bear was a little muddling and more confusing than anything. Maybe this book is meant to be used a means to jump start the conversation so you could tailor the answers to fit your particular belief system better. I'm not sure it works. The book just felt...confusing.
Not the best book for this. There are definitely better books out there on subjects of beliefs and God.
The problem was, whiles the questions were raised, no real answers were given. I felt Mama Bear was a little muddling and more confusing than anything. Maybe this book is meant to be used a means to jump start the conversation so you could tailor the answers to fit your particular belief system better. I'm not sure it works. The book just felt...confusing.
Not the best book for this. There are definitely better books out there on subjects of beliefs and God.
January 8, 2026
My least favorite Berenstain Bears book; I agree with other readers that there was something unsatisfying about this entry. The preacher doesn't preach but instead the members of the congregation share general gratitude, similar to going around the table on Thanksgiving to say what each person is thankful for. The idea that God created questions is nice but the book doesn't communicate that anyone does/would have any answers, which even as a younger person I think I would have found a negative implication.
February 23, 2020
I like the Berenstain Bears illustrations and characters and they seem to have held up well from my childhood into my child's. What I appreciate most about this book is that is allows kids and adults to ask questions about God and that is more than okay, it is a good thing. I love encouraging children to ask questions about God.
June 2, 2020
Ending of the book was abrupt and wouldn’t be a very successful ending reading it to a child.
February 22, 2023
Read in response to Florida's Duval County Schools pulling this book for review in response to Florida HB1467 and HB1557.
February 14, 2017
I don't really think this book is for me. I didn't think it was written very well. I was left feeling like it didn't give me anything nor did I feel moved by it. I felt like they could have wrote this particular book much better. Which is disappointing because I always found The Berenstain Bears books quite enjoyable. They really didn't talk about anything or give us any kind of theme. It missed the mark for me, for sure.
November 4, 2011
Fiction
Ages 4-8
Paperback
This come from the Collection of books calleld the Berenstain bears. Poppa bear, Momma bear, Brother bear, and Sister bear live as a family who parents are responsible and the children are curious and adventurous. The characters and plots are well developed. The authors frist wrote these stories to teach young beginners how to read. The stories offered everyday lessons in life such as sharing, getting along, and many others. The authors have recieve so many awards it would take another page just to name all of them. A few are the Philadelphia Library Children's Reding Round the Table Honore Book Award, A Silver Diploma in 1982 and again in 1987, The School Bell Award from the National Education Association, The Best Book Award from the American Institute of Graphic Atrs, and The University Chicago Best Book Award. I have owned a collection of these book and read them in elementary school. I will introduce them to my future students also.
Ages 4-8
Paperback
This come from the Collection of books calleld the Berenstain bears. Poppa bear, Momma bear, Brother bear, and Sister bear live as a family who parents are responsible and the children are curious and adventurous. The characters and plots are well developed. The authors frist wrote these stories to teach young beginners how to read. The stories offered everyday lessons in life such as sharing, getting along, and many others. The authors have recieve so many awards it would take another page just to name all of them. A few are the Philadelphia Library Children's Reding Round the Table Honore Book Award, A Silver Diploma in 1982 and again in 1987, The School Bell Award from the National Education Association, The Best Book Award from the American Institute of Graphic Atrs, and The University Chicago Best Book Award. I have owned a collection of these book and read them in elementary school. I will introduce them to my future students also.
July 23, 2012
I love the Berenstain Bears--we had all the books growing up, and we read them over and over. I love that they have a gentle and humorous way of teaching morals, even if that is often at Papa Bear's expense. So I had high hopes for this book being a nice way to start talking about God with little kids. However, I really feel they missed the mark on this one. Not only is Papa completely clueless as always (which doesn't paint a positive light on fathers being the head of the household),but the book really didn't talk about anything. Even when the cubs end up in church, where they could have gotten a postive and uplifting message about God, the preacher decides to not preach that day. All the book says is that God made everything and that the subject is so big its just full of questions. This isn't the message I want to send my kids about God when they could be learning about his grace, love, and mercy.
July 12, 2014
The berenstain Bears as Christians? But of course anything's possible, and it's great that the Berenstains can talk of God in a way that secular kids can understand and appreciate their faith. One thing bothers me, tho: in the end Papa Bear says that God is the Creator of "Questions". I'm not sure it's true...not completely. We create questions of faith. God allows the Answers to come to us, and if there WERE no answers, it doesn't matter. Not anything has to be answered or questioned. Hopefully it will inspire kids to have faith work in their lives and leave them richer with a new understanding of God's Love for all people.
November 8, 2013
This Berenstain Bear book is from a Christian perspective. Sister Bear asks Mama Bear , "What's God?" To answer her, Mama Bear takes her to the garden and explains that God made everything. The Berenstain Bears wind up going to the chapel in the woods to further explore the question. This book has the typical bright illustrations that are in all Berenstain Bears books.
Recommend this book to children in Kindergarten and older and parents and teachers looking for a very simple explanation of God.
Recommend this book to children in Kindergarten and older and parents and teachers looking for a very simple explanation of God.
November 21, 2013
The Berenstain Bears guide young readers through a myriad of lessons and issues, but their attempt to address the Big Question of God might be their biggest feat yet. This book does not stray far from what the title alludes to - the Big Question. It sort of gets answered, with Mama and Papa and other giving their personal thoughts on the topic, but also leaves lots of room for interpretation. Would be good for patrons who desire books on the topic of non-denominational religion (though a generic chapel is depicted), but seek other titles to give further detail on the subject.
February 3, 2017
This is terrible. No one even comes close to answering, or even trying to answer, Sister's big question. There is no discussion beyond the very simple, God made everything and we should be thankful. Kids hear this all the time, and if they are asking more complex questions, this book will in no way help parents to answer, or lead the kids to finding their own answers. What a waste of time.
September 5, 2013
Like any Berenstain Bears books this was questions why were here. When sister bear has questions on What is God? Here papa doesn't really explain it very well to her. Then Mama explains about how God created everything but when sister bear has even more questions Mama just isn't able to answer the rest of her questions.
Great for kids who like to ask the questions about lots of topics
Great for kids who like to ask the questions about lots of topics
May 10, 2010
Many cubs' questions
strike grownups as odd,
but the really big one
is "Mama, what's God?"
The Bear family goes to church to try to learn more about God. It's kind of vague and not completely specific to any one religion.
strike grownups as odd,
but the really big one
is "Mama, what's God?"
The Bear family goes to church to try to learn more about God. It's kind of vague and not completely specific to any one religion.
July 28, 2011
very thought provoking book. a little deeper than usual for the berenstein bears. i am glad though that they are not afraid to use church in their books.
April 13, 2012
We love all berenstain bear books!
September 16, 2021
Sister Bear has questions about God. So, her parents bring her to church.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2013
It was too long for Carson Grace, but I think I will purchase this one for when she is older. I really love the storytelling.
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July 7, 2009BR-Ber
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews