As I recall, The Berenstain Bears were my favorite picture books as a child. Now pair those bears with my all-time favorite holiday.

What a delightful story! In true Berenstain fashion, the situation here is relatable, and the characters (both the little ones and the adults) are believable, regular folks. Like countless other cubs/kids out there, Sister isn't perfect—but she's pretty good. And the lesson she learns this Christmas is real-deal and precious.

I quite enjoyed this warm family tale with chuckle-worthy bits along the way. ( )

Reading this really made me realize how anxiety inducing the whole Santa concept can be. Being judged as naughty or nice? Being told you're being too greedy and selfish by family members? Trying to process all the contradictions and impossibilities of the Santa mythos?

I shudder to think of the children raised under the next level reign of terror of the Elf on the Shelf. ( )

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This book is definitely enjoyable, especially around the holidays. This book presents the holiday Christmas in a fun way. I really like how the book’s illustrations were set up. On some of the pages the words were broken up into little paragraphs that were scattered in different areas on the page. There is more than one illustration on some of the pages as well, which are also placed in different areas. For example pages 13 and 15 of the book demonstrate this set up. This book demonstrates how it is not nice to be greedy during the holidays. The holidays are fun, and it is okay to want things, but it is not nice to take advantage of a good thing. When sister bear and brother bear use their savings to buy their parents a gift, it also shows that it is nice to give presents as well as receive them. ( )

Sister Bear enjoys Christmas preparations, especially getting her list ready--but on Christmas morning she realizes what Christmas is really all about. I enjoyed the illustrations and these books were another one of my favorites growing up.