My question is, why is this a kid’s book?

The Berenstain Bears: We Love Soccer! is a takeoff of the original Berenstain Bears series. Some of us grew up on the 8×8 paperbacks, some of us had early readers, some of us watched the television series and some a combination. Mike Berenstain has created another set of books that take off from the originals with new and old favorite characters. He now covers themes that are a bit more modern then just “new baby” or “jealous” or “eating too much junk food” or “the gimmies.” They have also slightly gone away from the obvious Christian story lines.

The story for this book is “Soccer Mom” and how they can be overly excited. Mama Bear has gone the root of Papa’s traditional taking everything over the top and going to the extreme. Mama has forgotten to have fun. The win is not everything. (Spoiler) of course, Mama learns this lesson and everybear has a great time.

My question is, why is this a kid’s book? To forewarn kids (20 years in the future) to not become a “soccer mom”? Or do they think the child is going to be read to? And hope the parents learn the lesson? This is an early reader (with issues I will come back to) therefore, the child will read solo. I do not know of too many children who still read out loud to their parents.

The other issue I have is this is a Level One. Yet, it is difficult with many words per page and some are a little much for what I think level one should be. My biggest gripe with easy readers is there is no set leveling system.

However, if your child likes soccer and is a mid-first grade reader this might work.