The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies (First Time Books(R))

The Berenstain Bear books by Stan and Jan Berenstain are hit and miss. Sometimes, they tackle challenging circumstances and behavior with common sense and empathy. Other times, the parents (usually Mama Bear) begins moralizing in black and white terms (which irks me at times). In this particular book, the Bear family tackles the "gimmies".

We have well over a dozen of these books, but the ending to this one is troubling. Personally, I don't think deciding ahead of time to get only one special item from the store is "bribing"; rather, it's negotiating and compromise--something that mature adults must learn in order to function in mainstream society or mature relationships.

No, what bothers me is that while the Bear family found a solution that was suggested by Gramps (deciding on one item before hand to eliminate begging while shopping), the kids turn RIGHT AROUND and judge a kid throwing in a tantrum in the store.

"What outrageous, disgraceful, embarrassing behavior!", said Sister. MAY WE LEAVE? (she asks with disgust). Brother echoes with "Yeah...Let's get out of here." Papa Bear stands at the checkout, staring angrily at the disruptive cub.

As they leave the store, Mama and Papa have smug looks on their faces--as if they're better than the other family because their kids have adopted their sneering superiority.

Yuck! This is one of those times I'd like to see the Berenstains tackle "The Berenstain Bears and Judgmentalism". (Will never happen, especially since this air of superiority pervades some of the books--and is likely the real-life attitude of the authors. I can just imagine them looking like the American Gothic painting!)

If you want to teach your children about gratitude and managing resources, look elsewhere. While this book DOES have the parents encouraging thankfulness, their good advice is undone by the snobby judgmentalism of the ending....which, in my opinion, is a far worse state of being than the natural curiosity and "wantings" of kids.

My daughter LOVES this book, and it has helped us curb her growing case of the gimmes. Now, if she starts to whine at a store we just remind her that if she gets the gimmes, than the solution is the get nones - she won't get anything at all.

I understand the concerns expressed by those who object to the plan of each cub picking just one thing. We have gotten around this by having the "prize" be to pick out the kind of cereal we buy (among choices we offer), or a trip to the playground after the store, or what we make for lunch, or other things that don't cost any money. That way we can reward her good behavior and encourage her to continue behaving well. Another solution is that if she really wants something that I don't want to buy, I let her hold it during the shopping trip, and we put it back on the shelf just before we check out. This usually works like a charm.

This book shows Sister and Brother Bear making a fuss over everything they want whether it is a toy, candy, or going on a ride. Papa Bear gives in the most often to their whining wishes. Mama Bear is determined to not give in. Finally, at the end they work out a deal the cubs get one treat each time they go. Problem is that then it would be expected that every time mommy or daddy takes me to the store, I get a prize. Sometimes mommy and daddy cannot afford to get a toy and should not always have to buy one. It be better to show the cubs allowances and how to say their money. Then they can decide if they want to buy that 10 cent candy or if they want to save their money for a new bear video game or princess bearbie. One thing I do not like about these books is that they make Mama Bear look like the grownup and Papa Bear like he gives in too easily.

I wouldn't consider the story line the best. My daughter-in-law wanted this for her kids. The pictures are good, and the lesson is good. The transaction was good.

Again, Brother and Sister are in a fix and this time, they've got the galloping greedy gimmies. They want everything is sight when they go to the store and throw tantrums whenever mama and papa protest. One thing particularly interesting here is at one point, mama says no and then papa interrupts her and give the cubs what they were whining for. He just taught them to not pay any attention to their mother and that they can have anything they want or do what they please. How many adults can see themselves in that picture? However, mama is patient and tells papa that they are to blame for the cubs' greedy behavior and he finally sees the error of his ways. When grandma and grandpa come over, they offer a plan which is to have the cubs decide what they want before going to the store. I heartily disagree with the other reviewers which indicate that the child will get something each time they go to the store. That's not what they're teaching here in this book at all. What the Berenstain's are saying is to get the kids to think about what they actually need and buy that if they are allowed an item and nothing else. Not only does this get rid of the gimmies, but it also teaches them how to manage their money and not just grab everything they see off the shelf. In our house, we take it a step further and look for the best price on the item and if it is too expensive, we leave that store without the item and go to another one that is close by and purchase the item if we are going there anyway. Great lesson plan in spending here in this book, don't pass it by!

As a marketing manager, I found this book to be stellar in teaching management for kids. If there's no boundaries set in even the smallest things like the grocery store, then there will be mayhem on a much larger scale as well. It's up to the parents to instill the rules beforehand and this book definitely comes up with a fair plan. We don't have any trouble with the gimmies in this house after reading, and reading, and reading.... this book. It solves the problem instantly and has a very lasting effect.

Highly recommend!