Stan and Jan Berenstain, shown in August 2002 in their Pennsylvania home, wrote close to 200 books about the Berenstain Bears, a family of bears whose exploits are headed to the big screen. Stan and Jan Berenstain, shown in August 2002 in their Pennsylvania home, wrote close to 200 books about the Berenstain Bears, a family of bears whose exploits are headed to the big screen. (Dan Loh/Associated Press)

Toronto-based Nelvana Ltd. is bringing the Berenstain Bears to the big screen in association with Walden Media of Los Angeles.

The Toronto animation studio created the Berenstain Bears TV series, which followed the everyday adventures of a family of bears.

The television show was based on a series of books created by illustrators Jan and Stan Berenstain in 1962. The couple's son, Mike, himself a writer-illustrator, has worked on recent editions of the books.

The more than 200 books addressed issues such as going to the dentist, getting a new baby brother or sister and getting along with friends.

Shawn Levy, the Montrealer who directed and produced the Night at the Museum films, will be a producer on the new film. The movie will feature live action mixed with computer-generated animation, according to a statement from Walden, which produced the Narnia films.

Stan Berenstain died in 2005, but Mike said his father would be "tickled pink that his very own bears were going to be in the movies." He said he and his mother are delighted by the film plans.

With files from The Canadian Press