The Berenstain Bears Books, Ranked by Bratty Behavior

10. The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Chores, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Poor Mama is left with all the dirty duties and harrowing housework after Brother, Sister, and Papa procrastinate instead of doing their chores. They’ve got better things to do—like complain. One day Mama decides that if you can’t beat them, you might as well join them—so she skips her household tasks to attend her gardening and quilting club meetings. When she returns home the house is miraculously spotless. Papa, Brother, and Sister couldn’t take it any more, and finally stepped up their game. (Somehow, we don’t think this strategy would work in real life. But it’s worth a shot.)

9. The Berenstain Bears and the Homework Hassle, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
One day, Mama finds a note in Brother’s backpack—along with a rotting old lunch. Turns out, her darling cub has been less than exemplary in the homework department. In fact, he hasn’t done his daily duty for weeks! He’s been too busy playing video games and talking on the phone. Mama and Papa lay down the law and ground him until he gets caught up. (It’s tough being a bear!)

8. The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Brother and Sister just can’t keep their room tidy. Every time they even try cleaning, they end up arguing about who should do what, and Mama inevitably does all the work. That is, until she reaches her limit and decides to throw her kids’ clutter in the trash. Lesson learned.

7. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Nobody likes to be teased—especially by a sibling. Sister’s feelings are hurt when Brother makes fun of everything she does and likes. Still, he keeps at it. Until, of course, the shoe is on the other foot (or, rather, paw), and Brother finds himself the target of teasing, taunting classmates at school.

6. The Berenstain Bears and the Blame Game, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Brother and Sister don’t accept responsibility for their own mistakes. Instead, they play the “blame game,” pointing fingers whenever a vase gets broken or accident happens. So when a stray ball shatters the bay window, the cubs, once again, start shouting and fighting. Papa reminds them that, just like love, there’s always enough blame to go around.

5. The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
What has happened to common courtesy? That’s what Mama wonders as she watches her kids push and shove and yell and act ungrateful, unruly, and downright primitive. (Really, it’s as if wild bears raised her children!) The whole family has lost their manners one unpleasantry at a time—even Papa responds with banging fists and angry shouts. Mama creates a politeness plan to bring back the civility at home. At first, Brother and Sister act snobbishly, theatrically polite to make a point, but, eventually, courtesy becomes habit. Turns out, it’s Papa, stuck in his stubborn ways, who has the hardest time shaping up his attitude.

4. The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
One stormy morning, Brother and Sister both wake up on the wrong side of their respective beds. Moody and agitated, they go about their day, mumbling and grumbling and purposely trying to “poke” the (other) bear! Sister takes an extra long time in the bathroom, just to annoy her sibling. There are no “pleases” or “thank yous” at the table, and no pleasantries whatsoever. After a day of arguing, Mama Bear gently reminds her cub kin that it’s okay to fight every once in a while—especially when you love each other.

3. The Benenstain Bears No Girls Allowed, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Sister loves to hang out with Brother and his pals. They play baseball, run around, climb, and do all sorts of action-packed activities. But there’s just one problem: she’s become too good—at everything. Worse yet, she’s a braggart and a showoff. So Brother and his friends start a new club—a boys-only club. (No girls allowed!) Sister suddenly feels lonely and left out. Oh, when will those bears learn that two wrongs don’t make a right?

2. The Berenstain Bears and the Slumber Party, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Sister is excited to go to her first slumber party at her best friend, Lizzie Bruin’s house. But Mama reminds her that staying as a guest at someone’s home is a “privilege and responsibility.” So when Sister and her friends get loud, routy, and reckless, and the police show up, Mama and Papa must find a suitable punishment. Instead of grounding Sister, they instill their original message by making her help clean up the mess and solve the mayhem.

1. The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
What kid hasn’t come down with an occasional (or daily?) case of the “gimmes?” Brother and Sister most certainly have—at the supermarket, at the mall, and everywhere in between. They want a toy, need a game, and must have a special treat. Right. Now. Any mom who’s ever wrestled a screaming toddler out of a store will appreciate this book that seeks to teach kids about manners, gratitude, and good behavior.
How would you rank the Berenstain Bears books by bratty behavior?