Stan and Jan Berenstain were already successful cartoonists for magazines and adult humor books when they began writing children’s books. The first story starring the bear family, The Big Honey Hunt, appeared in 1962. Since then, more than 365 Berenstain Bears books have been published, and more than 300 million copies have been sold. What began as an idea sparked by their young sons’ love of reading has become over the years arguably the best-selling children’s book series ever. Since their inception, the Berenstain Bears stories have expanded to include picture books, beginning readers, and chapter books–even a hit TV show on PBS. Writing and illustrating the books has become a Berenstain family affair. Mike joined with his parents as a creative team in the late 1980s. The Bear family has expanded over the years as well. Sister Bear arrived in 1974, and baby Honey joined the family in 2000. After Stan’s death at age eighty-two in 2005, Jan and Mike continued to write and illustrate wonderful new adventures for Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear. With Jan’s death on February 24, 2012, Mike will carry on his parents’ love of creating more Berenstain Bear stories from an area in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which looks a lot like Bear Country.
The Berenstain Bears Blog 
So happy to hear that Mike will be carrying on his parent’s wonderful work in this series. I had tears in my eyes the day I heard of Jan’s death. I was sad to think that this would also mean the end to new adventures for the Bear family. Thank you for teaching me how to read 25 years ago, and allowing me to share the experience with my son today.
Thank you so much for your very nice comments! The Berenstain family are very grateful.
where can i get a complete list of all the awards that Stan and Jan Berenstain received
Where can I get a correct reading list of Bernstein books?
Thank you for asking. You can get one from the Bibliography tab in our Parent’s Den – http://www.berenstainbears.com/parents/berenstain-ology.html
Here’s an updated link! https://berenstainbearscollectors.com/?utm_source=2017%20-%20Volume%2002&utm_campaign=February%202017%20Newsletter&utm_medium=email
The fact that this blog exists makes me so incredibly happy. I grew up on The Berenstain Bears and am now thrilled to share them with my own daughter.
Awww … thank you for your very nice note! Please give your daughter an extra special *bear hug* from all of us! 😀
Thank you so much! *Bear hugs* for your daughter, please!
Hi, I am trying to find this Berestain Bears Book Called the Berenstain Bears Almanac!! This is a really old book and is probably out of print.. But this is a book me and my brothers and sister grow up on and were all 30+ now… If anyone could help me with finding out how i could purchase this book,this would be really great!! Thanks
Hi Khris,
Glad to hear it was a favorite! While the Almanac alone is out of print, it was recently reprinted as one of three books in The Big Book of Science and Nature. You can see it at this link: http://bit.ly/D_Science
Thanks for your note.
Hi there so happy the Berenstain bears tradition will carry on. My grandson desperately wants a honey bear “stuffie” was there ever one made? Can’t seem to find one anywhere he has all the other ones…thanks so much
Thank you so much for your note. We are sorry there is not a Honey Bear as of yet … but we agree there should be! Please give your grandson an extra special *bear hug* from us!
Hey Mike Berenstain, my name is Shakayla Thomas! I’m actually a little fan of The Berenstain Bears, but I read these books and watch classic stories of TV since when I’m was a little girl at elementary school. I can’t wait to see a new character of The “new” Berenstain Bears books, Honey Bear that I never read before! I hope there’s going to be good in The “new” Berenstain Bears books with an new character, Honey Bear by their side!
Hello,
I was just curious if you remember it being Berenstain or Berenstein. I’ve been trying to find a way to contact Michael, figuring that he would know which name it originally was, but this is the closest I’ve found. Email me at emcnc14@gmail.com
Thank You,
Corinne
Hi Corinne, Thanks for reaching out! It has always been Berenstain, please see our blog posts that address this issue: https://berenstainbears.wordpress.com/2016/10/06/guest-post-myth-busters-with-emily-berenstain/
and
https://berenstainbears.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/tree-house-trivia/
-Berenstain Publishing