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 250 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'
interest in children's books 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.
Since Stan's death at age eighty-two in 2005, Jan and Mike have
continued to write and illustrate wonderful new adventures for
Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear. They live in Bucks
County, Pennsylvania, which looks a lot like Bear Country.
Mike Berenstain lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where he
continues to write and illustrate wonderful new adventures for
Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear.
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