What is your favourite Berenstain Bears book?

Mike Berenstain and his mother, Janice Berenstain, pose in their studio in Solebury, Pa. It used to be husband and wife Stan and Jan Berenstain creating the books, but Mike continued the tradition when his father died. (Mel Evans/Associated Press)

Members of the CBC Community sent their condolences after reading the news that Jan Berenstain, who with her husband Stan wrote and illustrated the Berenstain Bears books, died Friday.

Berenstain, a longtime resident of Solebury in southeastern Pennsylvania, suffered a severe stroke on Thursday and died Friday without regaining consciousness, her son Mike Berenstain said. She was 88.

Members of the CBC Community recalled their memories of reading the Berenstain's books, either with their children or when they were children themselves.

• "I'm glad she lived a long life but it's still sad she had to go. Bye Momma Bear." - Ms ColdCanada
• "Oh what sad news. I grew up on the Berenstain Bears and have looked forward to the day when I could share these books with my kids. What a wonderful legacy they've behind. They will be greatly missed." - chelsebelle
• "Thank you for the delight of reading the Big "B" Book." - Soundingboard39
• "R.I.P. and thank you for a job well done. My kids had several of these books. The one I remember that had the most use was about bringing a new baby home. These books are among the favourites we stored away so that in the fullness of time, they can entertain and teach another generation of my family in the happy event grandchildren ever arrive." - Canajunlady
• "Of all the bedtime stories I read my son when he was younger, this series had by far the most staying power. Other series came and went that were popular because of TV or a movie, but the bears were a constant. Of the ones we owned, they got read dozens of times. His favorite was The Spooky Old Tree. Even at 10 years old he still refers to that particular story at Halloween." - BarryWest

Since the first Berenstain Bears book, The Big Honey Hunt, was published in 1962, more than 300 titles have been released in 23 languages. Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Brother Bear and Sister Bear have also appeared in animated television series, computer games, a live musical and other licensed products.

What is your favourite Berenstain Bears book? Take our poll, then share your favourite books, television episodes and other memories in the comments section below.


(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)