The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day

Stan and Jan Berenstain's The Berenstain Bears Moving Day is a gentle picture book for 5 year olds about packing up home and starting again somewhere new.

What happens

Before the tree house, the Bear family lived in a cave halfway up Great Bear Mountain. Brother Bear was an only cub back then. The cave was cool in summer and cosy in winter (it dripped a bit, but it was home).

Then Papa says it. It's time to move! The trees he needs for his woodwork are getting scarce, and Mama can't grow enough vegetables in the thin, rocky soil.

Brother has questions. Lots of them. What about his toys? His books? What about his friends, who definitely won't fit in a box?

Mama's answer is honest and kind. He will be leaving them behind, but he can write, maybe even visit, and there are new friends to make.

That night he lies awake wondering what it'll all be like. Who hasn't done that before a big change?

Next morning the moving bears arrive with their big truck and everything goes. There's one last fond look at the cave, a goodbye to the neighbours, and a drive down the mountain with a few wrong turns on the way.

Papa loves the forest. Mama loves the rich brown soil. Brother is on the lookout for friends, but all he spots is a frog and some butterflies (and they don't look very friendly!).

Their new home is a whole house hollowed out of a great oak, with an upstairs, an attic and a room of his very own. It needs fixing up, but that's half the fun. And then the neighbours start arriving with welcome presents, including lots of cubs.

It's a short, calm read that takes a big change seriously without making it scary. If you've got a little one facing a move, or a new house, or even a new classroom, this is a lovely way to talk about the worried bit and the exciting bit together.

What to read next

If they'd like more of this family and their tree home, try The Berenstain Bears' New Baby. Mama's tummy has grown very round, and a certain small bear is about to find out he's going to be a big brother.