Berenstain Bear Quotes

But there were some things they didn’t agree on.

The more that you read the more you will know the more you know the more places you'll go

Brother Bear was a bear of many interests. He enjoyed sports such

When Sister Bear received a beautiful golden locket for her birthday, she was surprised and pleased. It was shaped like a heart, and it had her name on it. “Happy birthday, dear!” said Mama and Papa Bear, giving her a big hug.

So the Scouts went to work setting up camp-- raising the tent, filling the lamp, building the fire, getting it lit. Jane took time to explore a bit. She collected some leaves. She studied some seeds. That’s when she heard a voice in the weeds. Chuckling and talking to himself in there was--you guessed it-- Papa Q. Bear! “This trick will be fun,” Papa Bear said as he pulled the sheet over his head. “Hmm,” said Jane as she tiptoed away. “This is a game that two can play!” Then using twigs and leaves as a base, she started to make what looked like… A FACE!

is the hornets’ home. If you knock it

In that house, Rob read. Rather, Jackie read to him, but she felt as if he were reading along with her. With the opening of a book, a shift occurred in his eyes and he nestled an inch deeper into her lap while angling his chin upward, and he seemed to age a year or two. Not a reader herself, Jackie went to the local library for the first time and pulled the popular titles: the Berenstain Bears, Richard Scarry wordbooks, Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle.

police station, the lost cub’s mother was hugging him. “Oh, my little lost cub!” she cried. “I was so worried!

On the way, Sister and Brother noticed a group of bears playing Christmas carols. They were collecting money for the needy in a big black pot. Brother and Sister looked at each other, dug into their pockets, and dropped all of their money into the pot. Mama and Papa smiled with pride.

Later that evening Brother and Sister were at home looking over all the treats they had collected. The beautiful candy apples stood out, and Papa asked where they came from. “From Miz McGrizz,” answered Brother. “From that scary-looking old grouch-puss that lives down Crooked Lane?” said Papa. “That’s right,” said Brother, taking a delicious bite of his candy apple. “You must really try to remember, Papa,” said Sister, giving her apple a little lick, “appearances can be quite deceiving.

For a while they could almost taste the Sugar Balls and Choco Chums they weren’t snacking

Country …

On the bus, all the bears were talking about the things they were going to do at school—soccer practice, science projects, music lessons—all kinds of things! H-m-m, thought Brother. Sister

tag along as usual, her playmates were nowhere to be seen.

Chapter 4

funny-faced noodle-brain!

pick

well,

Ellen

Even little bears expect a good fright when they go out for treats on Halloween night.

Hey!” said Sister. “This is Crooked Lane!” “That’s right,” said Too-Tall. “We’re gonna play a few tricks on old Witch McGrizz.” “W-what sort of tricks?” asked Brother. Her gnarled, twisted old tree house loomed ahead. “First,” whispered Too-Tall, taking a roll of toilet paper from his jacket, “we’ll decorate her house with a little of this. Then maybe we’ll tie a few knots in her clothesline. Then smear some honey on her broomstick so she’ll stick to it when she tries to fly.” But before Too-Tall and his gang could start their mischief, the front door opened and a bright yellow light stabbed the darkness. And there in the doorway stood the frightening figure of old Miz McGrizz! “Aha!” she said in a gravelly voice. “I’m ready for you!” She then led the terrified cubs into a cozy living room. To their great surprise, there was a big tray of beautiful candy apples all prepared for Halloween visitors. “Mama was right,” whispered Sister to Brother. “Miz McGrizz really is a sweet, kind old person!

You know something?” she whispered. “She is kind of cute.

The cubs began to tell him the story of the big bird that flew in the window and broke the lamp. It was harder to tell the second time. For one thing, they couldn’t quite remember how they had told it the first time.

home

Look out for Papa,” said Brother Bear as the Bear Scouts tiptoed down the stair. “We won’t need Pa,” Sister Bear said. “Not this trip,” agreed Cousin Fred. “I see you Scouts are on your way into the Great Spooky Forest for an overnight stay!” “Pa! I hope you’ll excuse us,” said Brother Bear. “But this is a trip we’d rather not share.” “It’s also a trip I’d rather not share. Me sleep with spooks? Not on a dare!” “Spooks?” gasped the Scouts, not a little afraid. “Spooks of all kinds! A nightly parade! “And boss of them all-- the Ghost of the Wood! Call off the trip, Scouts. I really and truly think you should!” “Nonsense!” said Mama, who overheard. “Spooks, indeed! Not another word! “Your papa’s just trying to give you a scare. So, be off with you, Scouts,” smiled wise Mama Bear.

Look, Papa! Rocks! Right there ahead! We should beware of them as you said.

The Scouts told stories in the firelight. Then they all bedded down for the night. WHO-O-O-O-O-O-O They heard it just as they started to doze. It frightened those Scouts from their heads to their toes. WHO-O-O-O-O-O I AM THE GHOST OF THE FOREST They ran to Jane’s tent But Jane wasn’t there. “W-what shall we do?” cried Sister Bear. Then, a spookier spook came into sight, and gave the first ghost a terrible fright. WHO-O-O-O I AM THE GHOST OF THE FOREST And who did Spook Two turn out to be? Leader Jane, of course. That’s when they saw-- SPOOK NUMBER THREE!

That’s when they saw-- SPOOK NUMBER THREE! WH-O-O-O WH-O-O-O-O As the campers and Pa shivered and shook, Sis opened an eye and took a good look. She saw something strange: a yellow hat on a pumpkin head, Pa’s red pajamas and a polka-dot dress that looked exactly like…MAMA’S! “Just having fun!” The voice--it was Mama’s. Then her head poked out of Papa’s pajamas. “Teaching Papa a lesson like this was just too good a chance to miss!” “It’s a double ghost lesson,” said Jane with a grin. “There are no such things! There never have been! “But just as sure as night follows day-- it’s fun to be scared of them anyway!

Pumpkins are just like everything else in nature,” said Papa Bear as he and the cubs finished weeding the pumpkin patch. “No two of them are exactly alike.” “That’s for sure,” agreed Brother Bear. “Look at that funny flat one and that lumpy one over there.” Then there was The Giant, which is what Papa had named one that just seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. “Why is it that no two things are exactly alike?” asked Sister Bear. “It’s just the way nature is,” answered Papa. “Time to wash up for supper!” called Mama Bear from the tree house steps. “What about Queenie McBear’s twin brothers?” asked Sister. “They certainly look a lot alike,” said Papa. “But I’ve noticed that Mrs. McBear can tell them apart quite easily.” “In you go,” said Mama, shooing her family into the house. But Sister didn’t go right in. She stood on the stoop for a moment and looked out over Bear Country. It was well into fall, so the days were getting shorter. Halloween had come and gone. Pretty soon the Bears would start thinking about Christmas. But right now Bear Country was aglow in the setting sun. Farmer Ben’s well-kept farm looked especially fine, with its baled hay, corn shocks, and pumpkins casting long shadows. “I guess nature’s pretty amazing,” Sister said as she looked out over the beautiful scene. “It’s the most amazing thing there is,” said Mama.

One afternoon, the cubs got off the school bus with something important to tell Papa, but they were stopped in their tracks by what they saw: he was talking to The Giant. Mama explained that Papa had bought a book from the swindler Raffish Ralph about how to encourage your plants to grow by talking to them. “Well,” said Brother, “I don’t suppose it can do any harm…” “It sure could harm his reputation,” said Sister, “if anybody saw him talking to a pumpkin.

The Bears waited nervously while the judges studied, measured, and weighed, and then studied, measured, and weighed some more. Finally, they made their announcement: “THE FIRST-PRIZE WINNER--AND STILL CHAMPION…” Of course, that meant Farmer Ben had won. It was close--it turned out that Ben’s Monster was just a little bigger, rounder, and oranger than Papa’s Giant. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The Giant didn’t even come in second. A beautiful pumpkin grown by Miz McGrizz won second prize. The Giant came in third. Papa and the cubs were crushed…crushed and very quiet as they pushed their third-prize winner home. It wasn’t until they reached the crest of a hill that overlooked Bear Country that Mama decided to have her say. “I know you’re disappointed. But third prize is nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, Thanksgiving isn’t about contests and prizes. It’s about giving thanks. And it seems to me that we have a lot of be thankful for.” Perhaps it was Mama’s lecture, or maybe it was how beautiful Bear Country looked in the sunset’s rosy glow. But whatever the reason, Papa and the cubs began to understand what Mama was talking about. Even more so on Thanksgiving Day. After the Bears gave thanks for the wonderful meal they were about to enjoy, Sister Bear gave her own special thanks. “I’m thankful,” she said, “that we didn’twin first prize: if we had, The Giant would be on display in front of City Hall instead of being part of the yummy pies we’re going to have for dessert!” As the laughter faded and the Bears thought about the blessings of family, home, friends, and neighbors, they knew deep down in their hearts that there was no question about it--indeed they did have a great deal to be thankful for.

It’s ‘round the next bend, down a sunny dirt road. Just ask the next squirrel, Caterpillar, or toad for the tree-house home of the Bear family, where Ma, Pa, and the cubs are cozy and warm in their split-level tree. Just at the moment, Inside their quaint home, They’re reading the harvest honeycomb. “Honeycomb dribble, honeycomb drip, what lies ahead? A handsome stranger? Money? A trip? Grizzly growl, grizzly grum, warn us of any danger to come! Then, Mama blew hard. Loose flour flew. Who caught the flour? Papa, that’s who. But Mama and Papa both had turned white-- Pa from the flour, Mama from fright. The sign in the pan, stuck to the honey, was no handsome stranger, no trip, no money, but a bone-chilling warning of danger ahead, the frightening footprint of a great giant’s tread. “Bigpaw!” breathed Mama. “Good grief and alas! The Thanksgiving Legend is coming to pass!

you can do against Milton.

This cub wants a video game, and I hate to say it, but this game is so complicated it's easier not to play it! And here is one that's even worse-- cubs simply do not need it-- a virtual pet that up and bites if you fail to feed it. And worst of all, this cub wants this innovative cutie, a miniature canine named Little Doggie Dooty, with an item purchased extra that's positively super, a high-tech battery-operated electronic pooper-scooper.

Farmer Ben disappeared into a nearby shed and came back carrying two buckets. Some of the cubs covered their noses. “It’s not the best-smelling stuff in the world,” said Ben, “but potatoes love it.” He handed one of the buckets to Ferdy. “Now, son, I want you to toss a bucketful of fertilizer over each half of this plot. Go to it.” Ferdy stood at the edge of the plot, facing east. But the rising sun was in his eyes. So he walked around to the other side and faced west, away from the sun. He got a good two-handed grip om the bucket and steadied himself. “Uh-oh,” the cubs heard Farmer Ben mutter. With all his strength, Ferdy flung the bucketful of fertilizer into the wind. And the wind flung it right back in his face. “Ar-r-r-gh!” cried Ferdy. Hope you had your mouth closed!” cracked Queenie as the other cubs laughed. No one laughed harder than Trudy. “Beginner’s mistake,” said Farmer Ben, handing Ferdy a rag to wipe his face with.

Where are the cows?” asked Lizzy, looking around. “In the barn, waiting to be milked,” said Farmer Ben. “But they left plenty of cow pies out here yesterday, so watch your step.” To one side of the barn stood the chicken coop. Ben stopped in front of it and said, “Before milking the cows, we have to feed the chickens.” The chicken coop was even smellier than the fertilizer. “Pew!” said Queenie. “Go ahead, Ferdy. You’ll fit right in!” Farmer Ben picked up a large bag of chicken feed and poured the feed into a bucket. He handed the bucket to Ferdy. “Now, how hard can feeding chickens be?” he said. “Show us how to do it, my boy.” He unlatched the door to the coop and held it open. “Go on, son. Git!” Ferdy stepped inside and walked to the center of the chicken coop. He scooped a handful of feed from the bucket and said, “I believe the common phrase for such a task is ‘piece of cake.’” Then he began to scatter the feed in a circle around him. The cubs heard Farmer Ben chuckle. “That’s mighty close to your body, son!” he called to Ferdy. But it was too late. Ferdy was already surrounded by a mass of clucking, pecking chickens. What’s more, in scattering feed so close to him, he had accidentally dropped some into the cuffs of his overalls. Soon there were chickens pecking hungrily at his ankles. “Ouch!” cried Ferdy. “Ow! Stop! Back, I say!” The cubs laughed as Ferdy dropped the bucket and did an awkward dance to avoid his attackers. Lucky for him, the chickens went for the feed that had spilled from the fallen bucket. That gave Ferdy a chance to dash through the door and slam it behind him. Farmer Ben patted Ferdy on the back. “We farmers have a saying,” he chuckled. “‘He who drops chicken feed at his own feet soon finds himself in a peck of trouble.’ Get it? Peck of trouble?” “Very clever,” Ferdy grumbled as the other cubs hooted and hollered.

Ever seen a cow milked by hand in the movies?” he asked. “Certainly,” said Ferdy. “Then I guess you know all you need to,” said Ben with a wink at the other cubs. “Go on, son. Git!” Ferdy sat down on the little stool behind Old Bess and placed the bucket under her bulging udder. He grasped two nipples and pulled gently. Nothing happened. “Better pull a little harder, son,” Ben advised. Ferdy tugged harder. But all that happened was that Old Bess looked back at Ferdy. “Uh-oh,” said Lizzy, who had a way with animals. “She looks mad.” Just then Old Bess lifted a hind leg and kicked the stool right out from under Ferdy. Ferdy fell forward and landed with his head in the bucket. “You’re sure havin’ your problems with buckets this morning, son,” said Farmer Ben. “I doubt it was my fault,” said Ferdy icily. “Old Bess seems to be working no better than her milking machine.” “We’ll see about that,” said Farmer Ben. He took a seat on the stool and reached for Old Bess’s udder. Within minutes he had a full pail of fresh milk. “I’ll bet Ferdy’s had enough for one day, cubs,” said Farmer Ben. “We should all thank him for being such a good sport. And a good teacher. You can learn a lot by seeing how not to do things, you know.

Who’s that?” she asked Farmer Ben. Ben gave one look and muttered, “Uh-oh. It’s Ed Hooper. I’m almost afraid to ask him what he wants…” In his three-piece suit and expensive hat, Hooper came stepping across the pasture, being very careful to avoid the cow pies. When he reached the pumpkin patch, he walked right up to Farmer Ben and held out his hand. Ben made no move to shake it. “As you wish, Ben,” said Hooper, lowering his hand. “Five, four, three, two, one, zero!” “What’s that?” said Ben. “You going into the rocket-ship business?” Hooper laughed. “No, Ben,” he said. “That’s the countdown for the number of grocery stores left in Beartown. The last one just closed down for good.” “For your good, maybe,” Ben sneered. “Not for mine.

In his three-piece suit and expensive hat, Hooper came stepping across the pasture, being very careful to avoid the cow pies. When he reached the pumpkin patch, he walked right up to Farmer Ben and held out his hand. Ben made no move to shake it. “As you wish, Ben,” said Hooper, lowering his hand. “Five, four, three, two, one, zero!” “What’s that?” said Ben. “You going into the rocket-ship business?

I’ve got a broken milking machine I can’t afford to fix, and I’ve already had to fire my farm hand! My wife had to quit the farm and take a job in town! I won’t let you do this to me, Hooper! It would be an insult to all my farming ancestors if I sold my goods to you at these rotten prices! I swear I’ll sell this farm before I do it! Farmer Ben’s outburst had been so loud that some of the cubs were left holding their hands over their ears. But Ed Hooper hadn’t so much as flinched. “Well, what you do with your farm is none of my business,” said Hooper. “It darn sure isn’t!” yelled Ben. “Because your business is robbery! You’re nothin’ but an old-fashioned highway robber! You put a supermarket out on the highway and use it to rob folks!” Hooper’s smug little smile got bigger. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Ben,” he said. “But I can get my farm goods elsewhere. I’ll be on my way now. Have a nice day, Ben.” Hooper turned to leave, but happened to glance back and see Farmer Ben reaching for a pitchfork stuck in the ground. “Have a nice day?” Ben cried. “Don’t you dare tell me to have a nice day!” And with that, Farmer Ben raised his pitchfork and chased Ed Hooper into the cow pasture. Hooper dashed across the pasture toward his shiny new car. He reached the car safely, but not before stepping in three cow pies.

Well, what you do with your farm is none of my business,” said Hooper. “It darn sure isn’t!” yelled Ben. “Because your business is robbery! You’re nothin’ but an old-fashioned highway robber! You put a supermarket out on the highway and use it to rob folks!

I’m sorry you feel that way, Ben,” he said. “But I can get my farm goods elsewhere. I’ll be on my way now. Have a nice day, Ben.” Hooper turned to leave, but happened to glance back and see Farmer Ben reaching for a pitchfork stuck in the ground. “Have a nice day?” Ben cried. “Don’t you dare tell me to have a nice day!” And with that, Farmer Ben raised his pitchfork and chased Ed Hooper into the cow pasture. Hooper dashed across the pasture toward his shiny new car. He reached the car safely, but not before stepping in three cow pies.

Wow!” said Queenie. “I’ve never seen Farmer Ben so mad!” The cubs were huddled in the pumpkin patch. “Where did he go?” asked Lizzy. “Into the house,” said Ferdy. “I’ll bet he’s asking his ancestors for help again.

You’re all forgetting about Farmer Ben’s pride,” he said. “I hardly think he’ll allow someone else to name his new market.” The other cubs agreed instantly. They all raced to the farmhouse to tell Farmer Ben about Trudy’s idea. Just as Ferdy had predicted, Ben was in the living room, gazing at the portraits of his ancestors. As Trudy breathlessly told him about her idea, a smile came to his face and a twinkle to his eye. “That’s a great idea!” he said. He looked back at the portraits. “I knew you’d come through,” he told them. “What will you name the new market, Farmer Ben?” asked Queenie. “Can you think of a good snappy name that folks will notice?” Farmer Ben thought hard for quite a while. Finally his eyes lit up. He raised a forefinger high in the air. “I’ve got it!” he cried. “The perfect name!” “What is it?” asked the cubs all at once. Smiling broadly, Ben announced the perfect name: “Farmer Ben’s Market!” While the cubs shot puzzled looks at each other, Ferdy spoke up. “An excellent name!” he said. “So simple and direct! You certainly have a way with words, Farmer Ben.

Of course, we respect your decision, Farmer Ben,” he said. “I’d like to make one last request, if I may. Would you allow us cubs to sleep in the barn tomorrow night? Sort of our way of saying good-bye to the farm.” “A sleepover?” said Ben. “Why, sure. After everything you cubs have done for Mrs. Ben and me, it’s the least I can do.” “Then perhaps you’ll grant me another last request,” said Ferdy. “Would you and the cubs wait while I go home and get my camera and tripod? I’d like to take a group photo right here in the living room.” “I’d be honored,” said Farmer Ben. “Go on, son. Git!” Trudy went with Ferdy so she could carry the camera while he carried the tripod. As they headed down the drive to the front gate, Trudy said, “A sleepover and group photo are wonderful ideas, Ferd. Very sweet.” “Sweet has nothing to do with it,” said Ferdy. “I think I know how to save the Halloween Festival--and, thus, the farm!

Look!” she cried. “Up in the hayloft!” Three glowing faces had appeared side by side. They seemed to float in the air, just above the bales of hay. “Burglars!” said Barry. “Hay burglars?” Queenie wondered.

Ferdy, you’re a genius!” “That’s what all the girls say,” said Ferdy. “Boys, too, actually.

There’s one thing about all this I just don’t understand,” he said. “Ed Hooper could have run Farmer Ben’s Market out of business by lowering his prices. Sure, he would have lost money for a few weeks, but it would have been a lot safer than damaging Bens’ crops. Same thing with the Halloween Festival. Hooper didn’t have to ruin it. All he had to do was wait until Farmer Ben’s Market got going again, then run him out of business by lowering prices. But it seems that Hooper didn’t just want to run Ben out of business. He wanted to embarrass him. He wanted to destroy Ben’s reputation, and he wanted to be there to watch it happen. It wasn’t just business. It was personal. I wonder why.” No sooner had Brother started thinking about Papa’s question than a picture floated into his mind’s eye. It was a picture of a terrified Ed Hooper running wildly through Farmer Ben’s cow pasture, stepping in cow pies, with Ben chasing him. “No need to wonder, Papa,” said Brother with a grin. “ think I know the answer.

After dinner, the cubs gathered at the Burger Bear, where they had agreed to meet to celebrate their new jobs. Brother and Sister were late, but the others didn’t have to worry about waiting for them to start the celebration. That’s because there were no jobs to celebrate.

My dad says business isn’t so good right now. He can’t afford to hire anyone. Not even cubs.” “I’m afraid the Bearsonian won’t be of any assistance, either,” said Ferdy. “Uncle Actual says it runs on donations from Bear Country businesses. Lately a lot of businesses have been doing poorly, so donations are down. He will take us on as volunteers, however.” “Oh, great!” said Queenie. “That’ll be a big help!

Farmer Ben called about an oak table Papa’s repairing for him. They got to talking, and Ben told Papa that the farm has run into hard times. He had to fire his full-time farm hand. And now a lot of chores aren’t getting done. So Papa asked him if he would hire us to do them. And he said yes!” “Super!” cried Babs. “Outta sight!” said Queenie. “How much is he gonna pay us?” asked Lizzy. “Not much,” said Brother. “Just chicken feed.” “Chicken feed?” gasped Barry. “We can’t pay for Christmas gifts with chicken feed! We’ll get kicked out of every store!” “It’s just an expression,” said Fred. “It means ‘money, but not a lot.’” “I knew that,” said Barry, blushing.

right. For the sake of our survival, we must assume the worst. First, let me thank you. It’s most fortunate

Ugh. It was probably in that picture book of ‘Important Things Little Joey Needs To Know’, and you didn’t read it.” “I didn’t read it, because that book was insulting, you little shithead.” He had given me an illustrated book that looked like the Berenstain Bears, but the bears in his book taught lessons about math and physics and other nerdy stuff that put me right to sleep. After using a marker to draw beards and fangs on the bears, I had thrown that book away. “Did they succeed?

Off go the Bear Scouts to camp out all night. Will an unwelcome ghost visit their site?

The whole family sang: "Over the river and through the woods, now grandmother's cap I spy! Hurray for the fun! Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!" "But Gran doesn't have a cap," said Sister. "She has a scarf." "Well, I spy it anyway--through the kitchen window," said Brother.

The sign in the pan, stuck to the honey, was no handsome stranger, no trip, no money, but a bone-chilling warning of danger ahead, the frightening footprint of a great giant’s tread. “Bigpaw!” breathed Mama. “Good grief and alas! The Thanksgiving Legend is coming to pass!” “Legend?” asked Sister. “What legend is that?” “It says when the Bears of Bear Country grow greedy and fat, and fail to share Nature’s great bounty, that monster of monsters, Bigpaw, will come and gobble up Bear Country county by county!” “Nonsense!” mocked Papa. “Nonsense and stuff! Nonsensical piffle! Pure Bear Country guff!” But Papa Bear couldn’t have been more wrong. The Thanksgiving Legend was coming on strong.

But Papa Bear couldn’t have been more wrong. The Thanksgiving Legend was coming on strong. Not more than ten or twelve miles away, at that very moment of that very day, in a dark, murky forest, the ground was shaking. From crane fly to croc, swamp creatures were quaking. Something was coming. The creatures were frantic. Something enormous. Something gigantic. It was Bigpaw, of course. He was bigger by far than Paul Bunyan’s horse, with shoulders like boulders, ditto his knees, with paws big as dumpsters and arms thick as trees. Out of the forest he came and he went, each footfall leaving a monster-sized dent. But Papa just scoffed and puffed out his chest. “Just forget about monsters and all of the rest. Because, my dears, I beg to suggest, when it comes to holidays, your Papa knows best.

Hello, there, young'uns!" he said, squeezing the cubs in a big bear hug. "Are you ready for our great Thanksgiving feast?" "Yes, Gramps," said Sister. "But, you know, we should also think about all our Thanksgiving blessings." "I always do!" said Gramps, leading them inside and into the kitchen. "And the Thanksgiving blessing I think about most is Grizzly Gran, herself--the best cook in Bear Country!" "Now, Gramps," scolded Gran. "Stop your nonsense and help get the food on.

But Papa just scoffed and puffed out his chest. “Just forget about monsters and all of the rest. Because, my dears, I beg to suggest, when it comes to holidays, your Papa knows best. I’m a bear for holidays! I like ‘em all-- whether in winter, spring, summer, or fall! “And your Pa has perfect holiday habits. On Easter, I always make way for rabbits, and say a small poem for spring and rebirth. On Earth Day, of course, I cherish the Earth. “On Christmas Day, I think of others-- fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers. On Arbor Day, I walk to the trees. “Hello, tree!” But Thanksgiving’s the best holiday, if you please-- the one that for me is really the winner. Why? Thanksgiving dinner!”

It's a shame there aren't any Native Bears here to share it with us," said Brother. "Never fear," said Gramps, seating himself at the head of the table. "My great, great grandmother was one-quarter Native Bear and I am ready to share. Let's eat!

Yes, it was almost time for the Bears’ Thanksgiving, the day they gave thanks for their standard of living. And what a standard it was! From hollow to hill, from glenloch to glade, the bears of Bear Country had it made! Except for the legend! The legend that said: if the bears of Bear Country were selfish and greedy and insufficiently kind to the needy, giving them no more than a tail or a wing, then Bigpaw would come AND DO HIS THING! “We’ll have pickles and olives, marshmallow yams, two kinds of pie, jellies and jams, seven-grain bread, turkey, of course, also radishes, both red and horse, corn-on-the-cob, dripping with butter. So yummily yummy! So utterly utter!” So as you can see in Papa Bear’s case, all Thanksgiving meant was feeding his face. “And I almost forgot, no ifs, ands, or buts, my favorite treat…” “We know, Papa. MIXED NUTS!

So they went to a place that only they knew-- the mixed-nut forest where the mixed-nut trees grew. As the cubs picked almonds and walnuts, pistachios, too, which Papa Bear claimed as his Thanksgiving due, the entire forest started to lurch. The cubs fell like stones from their top-lofty perch. But they landed not with a bone-jarring bump. They landed instead with a comfortable “whump.” For you see, the cubs had been caught in mid-air in the dumpster-sized paw of a monster-sized bear. It was Bigpaw, of course. The monster HAD come. Talk about scared! The normally talkative cubs were struck dumb. Suffice it to say, Something surprising Happened that day. With a bit of a smile and nary a sound, he gently placed them down on the ground. What a shock! What a surprise! For despite his manner and imposing size, Bigpaw was nice, gentle, and shy-- a friendly, helpful sort of a guy. Those cubs knew what they had to do-- tell that only part of the legend was true. Though he was powerful, fearsome, and tall, the monster called Bigpaw was no monster at all. It was important news, so off they hurried, leaving Bigpaw looking a little worried. “Little cubs! Little cubs! You forgot your mixed nuts!” This certainly was true, no ifs, ands, or buts.

When the cubs told Papa their Bigpaw tale, his eyes opened wide, his face grew pale. Pa didn’t hear the positive part. All he heard was “Bigpaw.” The name struck terror in Papa Bear’s heart. “Just hold on,” said Mama. “Whether or not the legend is true, we must welcome the stranger. It’s the right thing to do.” “But ignoring the news that Bigpaw was nice and paying no heed to Mama’s advice. Papa Bear called up the Bear National Guard. They would deal with the stranger. They would deal with him hard. Meanwhile Bigpaw had climbed to a high mountain ledge. He stretched and he yawned as he looked over the edge. As Bigpaw’s yawns rolled into the valley through a mountain pass known as Echo Alley, they grew from a rumble to an enormous roar, and confirmed the bears’ fears about the Thanksgiving monster of legend and lore.

Alas, Mama’s protest fell on deaf ears, the bears of Bear Country gave in to their fears. Mama’s advice Notwithstanding, they put the cart of fear before the horse of understanding. “To arms!” cried Papa. “There’s no time to fuss. We’ve got to get him before he gets us.” Swords were unsheathed. Bugles were blown. They were no longer bears with minds of their own. They were no longer Jack and Jill, Betty and Bob. The bears had become a dangerous mob. With the false courage of numbers to the mountain they went, with an arsenal of weapons and deadly intent.

While up on the mountain the cause of the flap was settling down for a bit of a nap when he heard a strange sound. It was still far away And not very loud. Of course, what it was was the roar of a crowd. Now Bigpaw was certainly no mental wizard. But he was getting a feeling down deep in his gizzard that trouble was coming. So he scratched his head and started his fuzzy old noodle a-humming. And using his powerful arms and shoulders, he built a tower, a tower of boulders. If those bears were to charge up out of the valley, they’d be just like pins in a bowling alley. But those bears kept on coming, faster and faster! There was simply no way to avoid disaster! But then-- at the very last instant before the rocks fell-- there came through the din a cub’s high-pitched yell. “Wait!” It was Sister. “Wait!” Sister cried. The rock tower teetered. It started to slide. Brother and Sister, small and defiant, had positioned themselves in defense of the giant. But Brother and Sister were in terrible danger, and there was no one to help them… EXCEPT FOR THE GIANT.

With the bears looking on in amazement and shock, Bigpaw held back that tower of rock. And with the great strength of his mighty right arm, he protected small Brother and Sister from harm. “Bigpaw’s our friend. He’s very nice. He saved us once. Now he’s rescued us twice.” Weapons and hats filled the air, plus thankful shouts from every bear. There was joy in the valley on that fateful day. The bears welcomed the stranger; yes, they had a debt to repay. But it was more than that. At Thanksgiving dinner the very next day, host Papa Bear had this to say: “Friends, we are thankful that we’ve learned to share our bounty with our fellow bear.” “Excuse me, please, if you don’t mind. Here is something you left behind.” “Look, Papa! Your favorite treat, mixed nuts!” Yes, friends, it was quite a Thanksgiving-- no ifs, ands, or buts!

Ralph Ripoff’s favorite thing was cheating folks out of their hard-earned money; his least favorite thing was getting caught at it (and he’d been getting caught at it quite a lot lately). Gramps’s favorite thing was carving monkeys out of peach pits; his least favorite things were Weasel McGreed and his underground gang of henchweasels. Though McGreed and his underground gang had been quiet lately, Gramps wasn’t so sure they’d been wiped out by the earthquake

The cubs looked into Mama’s eyes, then at each other, and then they began to tell one of the biggest whoppers that has ever been told in Bear Country.  

A Bear Scout... Is as honest as the day is long. Admire when he or she is wrong. Respects the creatures of creation. Views TV in moderation. Is never cruel, rude, or mean. Plays the game fair and clean. Does his best at school. Following the golden rule, always respects the rights of others, including even sisters' and brothers'.

Look. He's handing out little cards," said Brother. "Maybe he'll give me one," said Sister, scurrying off through the crowd. "Hey, wait!" said Brother, who was always nervous about Sister's bold ways. Not that there was much anybody could do about it. That's the way it was with the Bear Scouts. Each scout brought something special to the troop. Sister was bold. Brother was a natural leader. Super-smart Fred read the dictionary and encyclopedia just for fun. Lizzy was so in tune with nature that she could pet a skunk without getting skunked.

Friet, quiends—er, quiet, friends," said Mayor Honeypot, tapping the microphone. The citizens of Beartown were used to the fact that the mayor sometimes got the fronts and backs of his words mixed up. So they just waited patiently until he got them straightened out. "Cellow fitizens—er, fellow citizens—we are gathered gere—er, gathered here—to announce that the Grand Marshal of this year's Winter Carnival is that brince among pears—er, prince among bears—none other than Baba Q. Pear, er, Quapa P. Bear, er, Papa B. Quear..." The mayor never did get Papa's name out properly, but it really didn't matter because the crowd was on its feet giving Papa a standing ovation.

Once outside, the stranger continued his warning. "Go back to the old ways! Hibernate! Only those who hibernate shall be saved! So says I.M. Weird!" Officer Marguerite closed the door. But out of sight isn't always out of mind. The raggedy stranger's warning cast a spell of gloom over the Town Hall audience.

It's my own fault," said Ralph. "I delayed going downriver to warmer climes just a little too late and . . . well, you see what happened. I've no money, no food, no firewood. So I'm slowly freezing and starving to death. Please take Squawk to the warmth of one of your cozy homes. There's no hope for me. I can feel the icicles forming around my heart. Farewell, sweet scouts! Farewell!" "You stop that kind of talk," said Brother. "You can't give up. You've got dozens of crooked swindling years still ahead of you.

Now, understand. If we can put this over with Papa and the chief, we're going to watch you like a hawk!" "Four hawks!" said Sister.

It may be chilly outside when Valentine’s Day comes, but little bears warm up and send cards to their chums.

Uh-oh!” said Lizzy. “There’s a boy coming over from the boys’ side of the playground, and guess who it is.” There wasn’t any rule about a boys’ side and a girls’ side at Bear Country School. But the boys did sort of stay on one side of the playground and the girls on the other. Oh! I hope it’s Herbie Cubbison! thought Sister. Sister Bear liked Herbie, and everybody knew it--except maybe Herbie. “Is it Herbie?” asked Sister, not wanting to look. “No,” said Lizzy. “It’s Billy Grizzwold.” “Oh, no! Not that awful Billy Grizzwold!” said Sister, turning the rope faster and faster. “Hey, slow down,” said Amy. “Hi, Sister!” said Billy. “Don’t you ‘hi’ me, said Sister, “and you better not have a worm, like you did yesterday, or a dead mouse, like you did the day before!” “No worm. No dead mouse,” said Billy. “Just me!” And with that he began jumping with Amy and got tangled in the rope. Down they all fell in a heap. “Why, you…!” said Sister. She pulled the rope free and ran after Billy. Sister was a fast runner. But Billy was faster and kept just ahead of her. Oh, why doesn’t Herbie Cubbison come to my rescue? thought Sister as she chased Billy around and around the playground. Herbie was too busy playing fistball even to notice.

Well, class,” said Teacher Jane. “As I guess you all know, Valentine’s Day is coming. We’re going to have a valentine party with punch and cookies, and we’re all going to give valentines to each other.” “Yippee!” cried the class. “Oh, yeah?” said Sister under her breath. “If she thinks I’m going to send a valentine to that no-good, rotten Billy Grizzwold, she’s got another think coming.” But Sister had another think coming, too. She began to think about what kind of valentine Herbie Cubbison might send her.

Well, class,” said Teacher Jane. “As I guess you all know, Valentine’s Day is coming. We’re going to have a valentine party with punch and cookies, and we’re all going to give valentines to each other.” “Yippee!” cried the class. “Oh, yeah?” said Sister under her breath. “If she thinks I’m going to send a valentine to that no-good, rotten Billy Grizzwold, she’s got another think coming.” But Sister had another think coming, too. She began to think about what kind of valentine Herbie Cubbison might send her. She was still thinking about it that night at dinner when the phone rang. “It’s probably for you, Brother,” said Papa. “So you might as well answer it.” “That’s right,” said Sister. “It’s probably one of your sweethearts.” “You cut that out!” said Brother as he went to answer the phone. “I wish you wouldn’t tease your brother like that,” said Mama. “Well,” said Sister when Brother returned, “which one of your sweethearts was it, Bonnie, Jill, or Alexis?” “It was Bonnie, if you must know,” said Brother, “and she was calling about math homework.” “Uh-huh,” said Sister. “But that’s not the real reason she was calling. The real reason is that Valentine’s Day is coming and she wants to make sure you send her an icky-sticky valentine with lots of kisses.” “You cut that out!” shouted Brother. “Mama, if she doesn’t cut that out, I’m gonna--” But the phone rang again. “It’s probably Jill this time,” said Sister as Brother went to the phone.

There were twenty-four cubs in Sister’s class, and every cub had to send a valentine to every other cub. They didn’t have to be expensive and you could make them if you wanted to. Sister thought she might just make one for that no-good, rotten Billy Grizzwold. She began to think about what it might say. Roses are red. Violets are blue. Nobody needs a doofus like you. Or: Daffodils are yellow. Roses are red. I need you like a hole in the head! “A penny for your thoughts,” said Mama. “Er--uh,” said Sister, “I was just thinking of a valentine to send to Billy Grizzwold.

There were twenty-four cubs in Sister’s class, and every cub had to send a valentine to every other cub. They didn’t have to be expensive and you could make them if you wanted to. Sister thought she might just make one for that no-good, rotten Billy Grizzwold. She began to think about what it might say. Roses are red. Violets are blue. Nobody needs a doofus like you. Or: Daffodils are yellow. Roses are red. I need you like a hole in the head! “A penny for your thoughts,” said Mama. “Er--uh,” said Sister, “I was just thinking of a valentine to send to Billy Grizzwold.” “Is Billy a special friend of yours?” asked Mama. “A special friend?” said Sister, her eyes flashing. “Does a friend knock you down when you’re jumping rope? Does a friend chase after you with a dead mouse? Does a friend put a hop toad in your lunch box?” “I suppose not,” said Mama. “But--” “There are no buts about it, Mama,” continued Sister. “That Billy Grizzwold is a no-good nuisance and if he doesn’t stop bothering me…” “Why don’t you ask your boyfriend, Herbie Cubbison, to make him stop?” said Brother, who had come back to the table. “Boyfriend? Boyfriend?” shouted Sister. “You take that back!” “Everyone knows that Sister Bear has a huge crush on Herbie Cubbison.” “Mama, make him take that back!” cried Sister. “I’ve hardly ever said a word to Herbie Cubbison! Brother’s the big valentine sweetheart around here.

How’d you like that valentine I sent you?” “You sent me?” said Sister. “You sent me this valentine?” “Yep,” said Billy. “I saved up for weeks to get it.” Sister was confused. She didn’t know what to say, so she just said, “Thanks.” She was still confused that evening when she showed Billy’s valentine to Mama. “Well, it certainly is beautiful,” said Mama, “and I understand your puzzlement. It takes me back to when I was a cub your age. There was this awful boy, just like Billy Grizzwold. He was just awful. The things he did! One time he chased me with a thousand-legger.” “Yuck!” said Sister. “And that wasn’t the worst of it,” continued Mama. “Once he put a giant bullfrog in my lunch box. It scared me half to death when it jumped out. It scared the whole class. It got me in a peck of trouble.” “How about that awful boy?” asked Sister. “Didn’t he get in trouble?” “Oh, yes. From time to time!” said Mama. “But after a while, he straightened out, got married, and raised a family. He became a solid citizen.” “Do I know him?” asked Sister. “Yes,” said Mama. “He’s sitting right over there. It was your papa.” Sister looked over at Papa, whose face was buried in the newspaper.

The next day, Billy Grizzwold came over to Sister at recess. “Can I ask you something?” he said. “I guess so,” said Sister. “Could we sit together at the assembly tomorrow?” “You won’t bring any worms or toads?” “Nope,” said Billy. “I promise.” “Okay,” said Sister. So the next day, Billy and Sister sat together at assembly. He brought her a flower. It was a daisy. Sister forgot all about Herbie Cubbison. And that afternoon, Sister pressed Billy’s daisy in a book.

Meanwhile back at the mailbox, the plot was thickening. The valentine pace was rapidly quickening. Still another valentine Awaited Brother there. It first caught the eye of small Sister Bear. It was flowery and pink and smelled of perfume. It increased Brother’s feeling of Valentine’s doom. It was even mushier than the one before. As far as he was concerned, this thing called “love” was a terrible, awful, sickening bore. “And as I said before in no uncertain terms, when it comes to mush, I would rather eat worms.

Sister didn't have to make a special valentine for Billy Grizzwold. She found the perfect one for him at the card store. It showed a scary-looking Frankenbear-type monster with a bolt on each side of his neck. It said: Monsters come in every shape and size. But when it comes to creepy, you take the prize! She'd sign it, "Guess Who." She couldn't wait to see Billy's face when he opened it at the class Valentine's Day party. But Sister forgot to watch when Billy opened her valentine because among the valentines she received was one that took her breath away. It was all hearts and flowers and inside it said, “Will you be my special friend?” “Wow!” said Lizzy Bruin. “It must have cost a whole dollar!” “It’s signed, ‘Guess who,’” said Sister. “Who do you suppose it’s from?” “Well, I know who you hope it’s from,” said Lizzy. “If somebody sent me a beautiful valentine that cost a whole dollar, I’d sure want to know who it was from. There’s Herbie over by the punch bowl. Go ask him.” Sister started for the punch bowl, but Billy Grizzwold blocked her way. He had the valentine Sister had sent him. “I’ll be glad to get you some punch,” said Billy. “And throw it down my back?” said Sister. “No, nothing like that,” said Billy. “I’m sorry about all the stuff I did. And I really don’t blame you for sending me this. It’s really pretty funny. How’d you like that valentine I sent you?” “You sent me?” said Sister. “You sent me this valentine?” “Yep,” said Billy. “I saved up for weeks to get it.” Sister was confused. She didn’t know what to say, so she just said, “Thanks.

The final score was five to zero, with high-scoring Brother, the hockey hero! The cheers for the Cousins were long and loud. They left the ice to the roar of the crowd. So there you have it. A stellar performance by Brother Bear and another victory for the Bear Country Cousins. This puts the Cousins in the big Valentine’s game against… the Beartown Bullies-- a dubious privilege at best. There was a special cheer for Brother as well. The cheerleaders gave him a well-deserved yell. They then addressed Brother in more personal terms. “Yuck, when it comes to mush, I’d rather eat worms.

Computers have their uses They’re great for work or play But it’s not a good idea just to stare at them all day!

It was autumn in Bear Country, and the sights and the sounds of the season were all around. The leaves on the trees were turning orange, red, and gold. There was a nip in the air, and the sky was a brilliant blue. Flocks of geese flew overhead honking their way south for the winter. Out in his cornfield, Farmer Ben was up on his big red tractor harvesting his crop. Papa, Brother, and Sister Bear waved to him as they drove up the long drive to the farm. Papa was delivering some new furniture for Mrs. Ben. It was a fine new kitchen table and chairs. Ben climbed down from his tractor and went to meet them at the farmhouse. Papa and the cubs unloaded the table and chairs and carried them inside. Mrs. Ben was pleased.

scampering

brother,

They all live too far away,” sighed Mama as she watched lonesome Sister pick up her trusty jump rope and start jumping with a friendly frog.

Freddy

Cousin

Besides,

watching

After all, who is ever threatened by a Librarian? (Except for that one librarian who hunted a seven-year old Danny across state and provincial borders, endlessly, tirelessly over the span of three years to try murder him for accidentally moving away, with the library’s copy of “The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream” book. But that’s a story for another time. Where were we?)