Too Loose, Too Tight, Just Right (Berenstain Bears)

Mike Berenstain is an author and illustrator of children’s books. He is the son of Stan and Jan Berenstain, creators of the popular Berenstain Bears series of picture books. Like Stan and Jan before him, Mike draws on his own experiences as a parent (and, now, grandparent) to inspire the family themes he writes about—including Baby Berenstain Bears, a new line of adorable board books for the very youngest fans. He lives and works in the rolling countryside of Eastern Pennsylvania—a place that looks very much like Berenstain Bear Country.

Stan Berenstain and his wife, Jan, 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 300 Berenstain Bears books have been published and more than 260 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. 

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 360 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 one of the best-selling children’s book series ever!