Jan Berenstain (1923–2012)
Author of Bears on Wheels
About the Author
Jan Berenstain was born Jan Grant on July 26, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She met Stan Berenstain on their first day of classes in 1941 at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art. During World War II, Stan served as a medical illustrator in an Army hospital and Jan worked as a show more draftswoman in the Army Corps of Engineers and as an aircraft riveter. They married in 1946 and together began drawing cartoons for the McCall's/Good Housekeeping All in the Family series. They worked on this feature from 1956 through 1990. They also published artwork in magazines like Colliers and the Saturday Evening Post. The Big Honey Hunt, published in 1962, was their first book for children. This book, which was written for Dr. Seuss's Beginner Books series, was so popular that Dr. Seuss himself, Theodore Geisel, encouraged them to write more stories. His advice launched them on a life-career writing and illustrating the Berenstain Bears books. The Berenstain Bears' New Baby, published in 1974, was the beginning of the First Time Books series. She wrote more than 300 books during her lifetime. The couple received numerous awards including the Children's Choice Award for The Berenstain Bears' New Neighbors in 1995 and the Ludington Award in 1989 for their work in children's literature. There have been television shows based on the Berenstain Bears books, as well as CD-ROMs and videos. She died after a stroke on February 24, 2012 at the age of 88. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Disambiguation Notice:
Do NOT combine "Jan Berenstain" with either "Stan Berenstain" or any of the various "Stan & Jan Berenstain" pages. They are two separate people. Thank you.
Series
Works by Jan Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2008) 1,040 copies, 10 reviews
The Berenstain Bears Say Their Prayers (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2008) 482 copies, 2 reviews
The Berenstain Bears and the Forgiving Tree (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2011) 393 copies, 2 reviews
The Berenstain Bears Go to Sunday School (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2008) 387 copies, 2 reviews
The Berenstain Bears Show Some Respect (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2011) 321 copies, 3 reviews
The Berenstain Bears, The Very First Christmas (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2015) 298 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Humongous Pumpkin (Berenstain Bear Scouts) (1995) 290 copies, 2 reviews
The Berenstain Bear Scouts Save That Backscratcher (Berenstain Bear Scouts) (1996) 288 copies, 2 reviews
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Sci-fi Pizza (Berenstain Bear Scouts) (1996) 232 copies, 2 reviews
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Terrible Talking Termite (Berenstain Bear Scouts) (1996) 184 copies
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Run-amuck Robot (Berenstain Bear Scouts) (1997) 139 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2013) — Author — 120 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears: All Things Bright and Beautiful: Stickers Included! (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2012) 115 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears and the Showdown at Chainsaw Gap (Big Chapter Books(TM)) (1995) 106 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears The Very First Easter (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (2019) 100 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears God Shows the Way (I Can Read! / Berenstain Bears / Living Lights) (2014) — Author — 95 copies, 2 reviews
The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Christmas (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2011) 94 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears' Gossip Gang: Stickers Included! (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2011) 85 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the White Water Mystery (Berenstain Bear Scouts Merit Badge Mystery) (1999) 59 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears 5-Minute Inspirational Stories: Read-Along Classics (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2017) 58 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears' Caring and Sharing Treasury (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2016) 58 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears Sister Bear and the Golden Rule: Level 1 (I Can Read! / Berenstain Bears / Living Lights: A Faith… (2017) 52 copies
The Berenstain Bears Friendship Blessings Collection (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2017) 45 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears: Here's the Church, Here's the Steeple (Lift the Flap / Berenstain Bears / Living Lights) (2011) 35 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears Respect Each Other (I Can Read! / Berenstain Bears / Living Lights) (2018) 30 copies
The Berenstain Bears Brother Bear and the Kind Cub (I Can Read! / Berenstain Bears / Living Lights) (2017) 30 copies
The Berenstain Bears' Epic Dog Show: An Early Reader Chapter Book (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (2019) 30 copies
The Berenstain Bears Get the Job Done: Level 1 (I Can Read! / Berenstain Bears / Living Lights) (2018) 26 copies
The Berenstain Bears Play a Fair Game (I Can Read! / Berenstain Bears / Living Lights) (2018) 24 copies
The Berenstain Bears Good Deed Scouts Help Their Neighbors (I Can Read! / Good Deed Scouts / Living Lights) (2013) 23 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears Lessons in Love (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (2018) 23 copies
The Berenstain Bears' Nature Rescue: An Early Reader Chapter Book (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (2020) 22 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2015) 19 copies, 1 review
My Favorite Berenstain Bears Stories: Learning to Read Box Set (I Can Read Level 1) (2018) 17 copies
The Berenstain Bears Favorite Classic Tales - I Can Read - 6 Books in 1 - ZonderKidz (2015) — Author — 17 copies
How to Teach Your Children About Sex... Without Making a Complete Fool of Yourself (1970) 15 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears Sister Bear Favorites: 3 Books in 1 (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (2020) 13 copies
How to Teach Your Children About God: Without Actually Scaring Them Out of Their Wits (1971) 12 copies
The Berenstain Bears 12 copies
The Berenstain Bears Brother Bear Favorites: 3 Books in 1 (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (2020) 12 copies
The Berenstain Bears Very Beary Stories: 3 Books in 1 (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (2020) 11 copies
Berenstain Bears - Pick Up and Put Away / Go Out to Eat / Big Fun Park / Go to the Movies (2011) 11 copies
5 Berenstain Bears Step into Reading Books: Big Bear Small Bear; Ride the Thunderbolt; Catch the Bus; Go Up and Down;… (1998) 11 copies
The Berenstain Bears God Loves the Animals (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (2020) 11 copies, 1 review
The Berenstain Bears: Kindness Counts (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (2016) 9 copies
The Berenstain Bears Easter Fun Sticker and Activity Book (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2017) 8 copies
The Berenstain Bears Take-Along Storybook Set: Dinosaur Dig, Go Green, When I Grow Up, Under the Sea, The Tooth Fairy (2016) 7 copies
The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers / The Berenstain Bears and the Disappearing Honey (1988) — Author — 5 copies
The Ultimate Berenstain Bears Collection: Learn About Strangers;bad Dream; Berenstain Bears and the Truth; Don't… (2005) 5 copies
Berenstain Bears Reader Collection: Berenstain Bears' Class Trip; Berenstain Bears Down on the Farm, The… (2012) 5 copies
Berenstain Bears Set - Funny Valentine / Moving Day / In-Crowd / Don't Pollute (Anymore) (1991) 4 copies
And Beat Him When he Sneezes: a Guide to Happy Pregnancy, Delightful Infancy, Hilarious Child Development (1960) 4 copies
Moo! 4 copies
The Berenstain Bears Meet Questron: One-Two-Three, How Many Wheels Can You See? (Questron Electronics Books) (1987) 4 copies
Berenstain Bears Set : Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners / Get the Gimmies / Berenstain Bears Th (2010) — Author — 4 copies
Baby Makes Four — Author — 3 copies
The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room / The Berenstain Bears and the Terrible Termite [video] (1988) — Author — 3 copies
The Berenstain Bears' Giant Coloring and Activity Book (Dover Coloring Books for Children) (2013) 3 copies
The Bear Essentials: Everything Today's Hard-Pressed Parent Needs to Know About Bringing Up Happy, Healthy Kids (2005) 2 copies
Be Good or I'll Belt Ya! — Author — 2 copies
The Berenstain Bears Hugs and Kisses Sticker and Activity Book (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (2016) 2 copies
Show God's Love 2 copies
The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Coloring and Activity Book (Dover Christmas Activity Books For Kids) (2014) 2 copies
Dinosaur Bone 1 copy
The Berenstain Bears Collection (12): The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food; the Berenstain Bears Learn About… (2005) 1 copy
Too much birthday 1 copy
Get the Gimmies 1 copy
ON THE MOON 1 copy
Home Sweet Home 1 copy
ghost versus ghost 1 copy
Berenstain Bears A Book 1 copy
Get ready for christmas 1 copy
Set of Six First Time Books Featuring the Berenstain Bears (Green-Eyed Monster, Too Much Birthday, Go to School, Blaza… (1995) 1 copy
Berenstain Bears Set - The Bully / Too Much Birthday / Count Their Blessings / Attic Treasure (1990) — Author — 1 copy
The Berenstain Bears Book Set (6 books) — Author — 1 copy
The Berenstain Bears Book Set (4 books) — Author — 1 copy
The Berenstain Bears First Time Book Set (6 books) — Author — 1 copy
The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends / The Berenstain Bears and the Coughing Catfish [video] — Author — 1 copy
Berenstain Bears Set of 5 Chapter Books (Sinister Smoke Ring ~ Giant Bat Cave ~ The Dress Code ~ Scouts Save That… (1997) 1 copy
Set of 5 Berenstain Bears Books: The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare, Trouble At School, Dollars and Sense, Mad… (2001) 1 copy
Berenstain Bears Set - Bears in the Night / He Bear She Bear / On the Moon / Spooky Old Tree (1974) 1 copy
The Berenstain Bears Always Look on the Bright Side [movie] — Author — 1 copy
Berenstain Bear Scouts CHAPTER Book Unboxed Set/6 Save That Backscratcher, The Dress Code, Meet Big Paw, The Terrible… (1997) 1 copy
5 Books The Berenstain Bear Scoutsand the couching Catfish, in Giant Bat Cave, and Run-Amuck Robot,and the Sinister… (1997) 1 copy
The Berenstain Bears Christmas Fun Sticker and Activity Book (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) (2016) 1 copy
The Berenstain Bear Scouts Collection (3 books) — Author — 1 copy
The Berenstain Bears Book Set (13 books) — Author — 1 copy
Associated Works
The 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury: Picture Books and Stories to Read Aloud (1998) — Author — 1,642 copies, 14 reviews
Child's Play: The Berenstain Baby Boom, 1946-1964 - Cartoon Art of Stan and Ja n Berenstain (2008) — Contributor — 22 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Berenstain, Janice Marian
- Other names
- Grant, Janice Marian (birth name)
- Birthdate
- 1923-07-26
- Date of death
- 2012-02-24
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Place of death
- Doylestown Hospital, Pennsylvania, USA
- Cause of death
- stroke
- Places of residence
- Solebury Township, Pennsylvania, USA
- Education
- Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art
Radnor High School - Occupations
- children's book author
children's book illustrator - Relationships
- Berenstain, Stan (husband)
Berenstain, Michael (son) - Short biography
- Janice "Jan" Berenstain, née Grant, and Stanley Berestain are best known for the children's book series The Berenstain Bears, which became a franchise including a television series, toys, and stage productions.
- Disambiguation notice
- Do NOT combine "Jan Berenstain" with either "Stan Berenstain" or any of the various "Stan & Jan Berenstain" pages. They are two separate people. Thank you.
Members
Discussions
Child goes up hill and is frightened by owl screeching in Name that Book (February 2016)
Project: Berenstain Bear book author/combining cleanup in Combiners! (February 2012)
Reviews
The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone by Stan and Jan Berenstain
The Bear Detectives come to the aid of Dr. Bear at the Bear Museum. With less than an hour to spare, the cubs must find the missing dinosaur bone so that everyone can enjoy the dinosaur exhibit.
Papa Bear tries to teach Small Bear how to find honey in a honey tree.
'Tis the season to read Halloween books!
Brother and Sister Bear set out for their first trick-or-treat expedition without parental supervision and -- as the book drives home with a sledgehammer -- learn a lesson about how appearances can be deceiving.
Heavy-handed and boring. But my daughter enjoyed it when she was five.
FOR REFERENCE:
2525
Rated "Indifferent" in our old book database by Rod; rated "Good" by Adelia.
Brother and Sister Bear set out for their first trick-or-treat expedition without parental supervision and -- as the book drives home with a sledgehammer -- learn a lesson about how appearances can be deceiving.
Heavy-handed and boring. But my daughter enjoyed it when she was five.
FOR REFERENCE:
2525
Rated "Indifferent" in our old book database by Rod; rated "Good" by Adelia.
'Tis the season for Halloween reading!
Papa Bear is a bit too enthusiastic about making a scary Halloween haunted house for a school benefit. Despite Mama Bear's constant nagging to not make it too scary as to give nightmares to the little ones who will be going through, Papa doesn't learn his lesson until he experiences a little fear of his own.
While I enjoyed many of the early Berenstain books despite a tendency to preachiness, the later ones seem even more heavy-handed and quite dull. This one was published the year Stan Berenstain died. Even my daughter, a five-year-old Berenstain fanatic at the time, found it disappointing.
FOR REFERENCE:
Rated “Indifferent" in our old book database by Rod and Adelia.… (more)
Papa Bear is a bit too enthusiastic about making a scary Halloween haunted house for a school benefit. Despite Mama Bear's constant nagging to not make it too scary as to give nightmares to the little ones who will be going through, Papa doesn't learn his lesson until he experiences a little fear of his own.
While I enjoyed many of the early Berenstain books despite a tendency to preachiness, the later ones seem even more heavy-handed and quite dull. This one was published the year Stan Berenstain died. Even my daughter, a five-year-old Berenstain fanatic at the time, found it disappointing.
FOR REFERENCE:
Rated “Indifferent" in our old book database by Rod and Adelia.… (more)
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Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 561
- Also by
- 4
- Members
- 162,648
- Popularity
- #36
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 1,112
- ISBNs
- 2,994
- Languages
- 13
- Favorited
- 3