Mike Berenstain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Berenstain
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Berenstain in 2017
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Michael Berenstain
December 21, 1951 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Years active | 1976–present |
| Parent(s) | Stan and Jan Berenstain |
Michael Berenstain (born December 21, 1951) is an American writer and illustrator. He creates children's books. Michael is the son of the famous authors Stan and Jan Berenstain. After his parents passed away, he became the main writer and artist for the popular Berenstain Bears series of picture books.
Contents
Michael's Early Life and Education
Michael Berenstain was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He loved art and went to two special schools to study it. He attended the Philadelphia College of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. These schools helped him learn how to draw and create amazing pictures.
First Books and Illustrations
Michael's first published work appeared in 1976. He illustrated a book called K'tonton on an Island in the Sea. This book was about a tiny Jewish boy who had adventures on an island.
In the next few years, Michael wrote and illustrated his own books. These books taught readers about different topics. He created books like The Castle Book, and others about ships, armor, and lighthouses.
Working with Dinosaurs
Michael also worked with his parents on some dinosaur books. He illustrated The Day of the Dinosaur and After the Dinosaurs. He then wrote and illustrated his own series of dinosaur books. This series was called I Love Dinosaurs. It included titles like King of the Dinosaurs and Flying Dinosaurs.
Continuing the Berenstain Bears Series
Michael Berenstain became more involved with his family's famous Berenstain Bears series in 1995. He started by illustrating a part of the series called the Bear Scouts.
After his father, Stan, passed away in 2005, Michael continued to work on the books with his mother, Jan. When his mother passed away in 2012, Michael took over writing and illustrating the entire series by himself. His older brother, Leo Berenstain, helps manage the business side of the Berenstain Bears franchise.
Michael's Faith Journey
Michael's father was from a Jewish background, and his mother was Episcopalian. Michael and his brother grew up in a home that didn't focus on one specific religion.
Later in life, after Michael got married, he started to explore Christianity. He sent his children to Quaker schools, which are known for their peaceful teachings. He was later baptized in a Presbyterian church. Michael then began working with Zondervan, a Christian publishing company. Together, they started creating Berenstain Bears books that shared faith-based messages.
