I read this Berenstain Bears book collection recently and it got me thinking.

Children’s books are full of lessons on kindness, caring, politeness, respect, and so many more fantastic concepts related to growing into a functioning and considerate adult. Society wants our children to respect their elders, care about others, not say mean things, help out in the community, and ultimately not be a bully.

Life Lessons: Not just for kids

But that Bear family in Bear country made me think not just about kids needing life lessons, it made me think about adults too.

Have we forgotten that showing compassion to others, being kind, saying nice things, and not being a bully, aren’t just lessons for kids?

Do as I say, not as I do.

I’m not perfect. People aren’t perfect. Adults, parents, grandparents, kids, dogs….ok dogs are pretty perfect.

Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone says things they don’t mean or didn’t mean to say or sometimes the words just come out wrong.

What saddens me, is the amount of hate, bullying, and complete disregard for others’ feelings that takes place on social media. People comment without thinking or considering that there is a real life person with feelings on the other side of that computer. The internet allows everyone to voice an opinion in whatever manner they choose.

Social media can be a wonderful thing when it is used as a means of connecting with others and lifting people up, but it is so often used to divide people into groups of like-mindedness and tear others down.

So today my book review is about the Berenstain Bears Caring and Sharing Treasury.

Five books in one! Can’t beat that.

But this is not just a collection of books for kids, it’s a reminder that bragging is still annoying, gossiping is unattractive, generosity is always in style, there is no one career or life path that determines success, and the world needs more unconditional love.

The Berenstain Bears Caring is Sharing Treasury (2016, Zonderkidz, Picture Book)

This treasury of Berenstain Bears books contains five books on the theme of kindness. Brother and Sister Bear learn about jobs, helping others, being good neighbors, gossiping, and bragging as they explore Bear Country. There is a lot going on in Bear Country, and Brother and Sister get into trouble along the way, but with the help of each other, their family and friends can set things right?

The Caring is Sharing Treasury written and illustrated by Stan, Jan and Mike Berenstain, consists of five books in one volume. The books included are: Jobs Around Town, Get Involved, Love Their Neighbors, Gossip Gang, and The Biggest Brag. This is an impressive collection of Berenstain Bears tales, reminiscent of the original stories. Children will love these fun stories, and parents will love the heart-warming messages. Great stories to get children thinking about their actions and interactions with others.

Five stars

Thank you to Zonderkidz and BookLook Bloggers for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.