The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw |
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Title screen from the original NBC TV special (1980)
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| Created by | Stan and Jan Berenstain |
| Written by | Stan and Jan Berenstain |
| Directed by | Mordicai Gerstein Al Kouzel |
| Narrated by | Ron McLarty (uncredited) |
| Theme music composer | Elliot Lawrence |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Buzz Potamkin |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Perpetual Motion Pictures The Joseph Cates Company |
| Distributor | NBC Embassy Home Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | November 20, 1980 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree (1979) |
| Followed by | The Berenstain Bears' Easter Surprise (1981) |
The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw is a fun animated TV special about the Berenstain Bears. It's based on the popular children's books by Stan and Jan Berenstain. This Thanksgiving-themed story first aired on NBC on November 20, 1980. Buzz Potamkin produced it, and Mordicai Gerstein and Al Kouzel directed the special. This TV special even led to a book called The Berenstain Bears' Thanksgiving, published by Scholastic in 1997.
Contents
When Did Bigpaw First Air?
The special first showed on NBC on Thursday, November 20, 1980. It was on at 8:30 PM ET. Many families watched it as part of their Thanksgiving celebrations.
What Is the Story of Bigpaw?
Thanksgiving is getting close in Bear Country. The Bear Family tries to tell their future by looking at a special harvest honeycomb. Suddenly, a huge footprint appears! Mama Bear thinks this means the old Thanksgiving Legend of Bigpaw is coming true.
The Legend of Bigpaw
Mama Bear explains the legend to the cubs. She warns them that if bears are selfish and don't share, Bigpaw will come. He will gobble up Bear Country, county by county! Papa Bear, however, thinks the whole story is silly.
Papa Bear's Thanksgiving Spirit
Papa Bear likes to think he's good to the Earth all year. He talks about how he cares for nature on holidays like Easter and Christmas. But when it comes to Thanksgiving, Papa seems more interested in eating a big meal than giving thanks.
Mama Bear's Preparations
While Papa is busy, Mama Bear continues getting ready for Thanksgiving at home. She sings about "Thankfulness" as she prepares the feast.
Brother and Sister's Adventure
Papa Bear soon learns that the scary Bigpaw legend might be real. He hears that Bigpaw is moving through a place called Sinister Bog. Meanwhile, Brother and Sister Bear decide to go gather mixed nuts for Papa. They head off into the woods and into Sinister Bog.
Meeting Bigpaw
While gathering nuts in a tree, Brother and Sister feel the ground shake. Bigpaw is coming closer! They get scared and fall from the tree. But instead of getting hurt, they land safely in Bigpaw's giant hand. Bigpaw gently puts them on the ground. The cubs quickly realize that Bigpaw is not scary at all.
The Bears' Fear
Back in the village, Papa Bear gathers other bears. He wants them to find Bigpaw and "get him before he gets us." Mama Bear thinks everyone is getting carried away. She tries to convince them to think clearly. She sings, "A Stranger's Just Somebody (You Don't Already Know)."
Bigpaw's Yawn
Bigpaw climbs a tall mountain to take a nap. His big yawn echoes through the valley. But the scared bears think it's a terrifying roar! Papa Bear sees Bigpaw's huge shadow and gets a mob of bears ready to attack. Brother and Sister try to tell Papa that Bigpaw is kind, but he won't listen.
A Peaceful Ending
Up on the mountain, Bigpaw hears the angry mob coming. He gets scared and starts to build a pile of rocks to use as weapons. But Sister and Brother Bear step in. They stand between Bigpaw and the angry bears. Bigpaw stops building his rock tower. He gently picks up Brother and Sister, who explain how kind the giant really is.
Everyone celebrates! The Bear Family invites Bigpaw to Thanksgiving dinner the next day. Bigpaw even brings Papa Bear his favorite treat: mixed nuts! They all sing about "Thankfulness" again.
Book Version of the Story
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A book version of the TV special was published in 1997. It was called The Berenstain Bears' Thanksgiving by Scholastic. The book tells the same story as the TV show. While it's not printed anymore, you can often find it used. Another book, The Berenstain Bear Scouts Meet Bigpaw (1995), has a very similar plot.
