Mike Berenstain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Berenstain
|
|
|---|---|
Berenstain in 2017
|
|
| Born |
Michael Berenstain
December 21, 1951 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Parent(s) | Stan and Jan Berenstain |
Michael Berenstain (born December 21, 1951) is an American writer and illustrator. He creates many books for children. He is the son of the late Stan and Jan Berenstain, who created the famous Berenstain Bears series. Michael now writes and illustrates these popular picture books himself.
Contents
About Michael Berenstain
Michael Berenstain was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He studied art at the Philadelphia College of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. These schools helped him become a skilled artist.
Early Career and Illustrations
Michael's first published work was in 1976. He illustrated a book called K'tonton on an Island in the Sea. This story was about a tiny Jewish boy who had adventures on an island.
Over the next few years, Michael wrote and illustrated his own books. These included The Castle Book and other books about ships, armor, and lighthouses. He also worked with his parents on two dinosaur picture books. These were The Day of the Dinosaur and After the Dinosaurs. Michael then wrote and illustrated his own dinosaur books. These were part of the I Love Dinosaurs series.
Continuing the Berenstain Bears
Michael began working on the Berenstain Bears series in 1995. He started as an illustrator for the Bear Scouts subseries. After his father, Stan, passed away in 2005, Michael continued the series with his mother, Jan. When his mother passed away in 2012, Michael took over writing and illustrating the books entirely. His older brother, Leo Berenstain, helps manage the Berenstain Bears franchise.
Faith-Based Books
Michael's parents raised him in a home that did not focus on one religion. Later in his life, Michael became interested in Christianity. He partnered with Zondervan, a Christian publishing company. Together, they began to produce Berenstain Bears books that share Christian values and stories.
