The Berenstain Bears in the Dark by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Book Genre: General Fiction

Publishing Info.: Random House New York, 32 pages

Awards or Honors Received: N/A

Summary: This is a story about Sister Bear being afraid of the dark after reading a scary mystery book with Brother Bear. Sister's imagination takes over and every sight and sound turns into some scary creature in her mind. After a night with no sleep, Papa Bear decides to give Sister his old night light. This does the trick and helps Sister to not be afraid of the dark again.

Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! I loved this book. Most children can relate to being afraid of the dark, and I think that young children would enjoy this story. The topic is about something that is very real, but the book offers a solution to the problem. The illustrations are wonderful and the bear family and their treehouse will spark the imaginations of little ones.

Reading Level: 3.1

Interest Level: K-2

Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This story could be integrated with students writing about the dark and what they do to not be afraid. Since this story was about Sister Bear thinking she saw monsters, math could be incorporated by students making shape monsters. The teacher could cut out several different shapes in assorted colors, and students could create funny, silly, cute, or scary monsters. Before creating the monsters, students could sort, count, or make patterns with the colored shapes. After making the monsters, students could write a story about their shape monster.

Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.