The Berenstain Bears' Kitten Rescue

Brother and Sister bear are both Scouts, and in The Berenstain Bears' Kitten Rescue, a Level 1 "I Can Read" book, their troop is keeping an eye out for the chance to do a good deed. When they discover a kitten up a tree, they try to climb to it. As Fred says, "The Bible says 'Whoever is kind to the needy honors God.'"

When climbing doesn't work, they get Father Bear to bring a ladder. When the kitten only climbs higher up the tree, they call some firemen. When that doesn't work, they call a rescue helicopter. When the "copter" scares the kitten further, Mother Bear happens by. She's just been to the store, and she has cat food for the Bears' pet cat.

When the kitten smells the cat food, it comes down from the tree and her owner happens by, thrilled her kitten is safe. "I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!" she says. That evening, the Bear family enjoys watching a news report about the Scout's good deed.

What I Like: My 5 year old loves the Berenstain Bears, and she enjoyed this book. The illustrations by Jan and Mike Berenstain will not displease Berenstain fans.

What I Dislike: There is nothing wrong with this story, but it does seem as though the Christian content (which consists entirely of the two Bible quotes mentioned above) was added after the fact. It doesn't feel natural at all.
Overall Rating: Good.
Age Appeal: 4 - 8
Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2011; ISBN: 978-0310720973; paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $3.99; a Kindle version is also available for $.299.

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $3.49

Special Info: Read our other reviews of Berenstain Bear books.