The Berenstain Bears and the Female Fullback (A Big Chapter Book)
#3 of 86 in Berenstain Bears First Time Chapter Books Series
on Goodreads (158)
What’s inside...
Bothered by the fact that boys and girls are treated differently in the extracurricular activities at Bear Country School, Queenie McBear decides to get some changes made. When Bertha Broom signs up for the football team and is turned down by the coach, a heated political issue ensues and important questions about sexual stereotyping are raised in Bear Country.
Character compass
Brother Bear
Cousin Fred
Hilary Herzog
Too-Tall Grizzly
Discussion points
How do you think Sister Bear felt when she decided to play football? Can you think of a time you tried something new?
What challenges did Sister Bear face and how did she overcome them? Have you faced similar challenges in something you enjoy?
What do you think about the reactions of Sister Bear's friends and family? How important is support from others when trying new things?
How do you think the story would change if Sister Bear gave up playing football? Why is perseverance important?
What did you learn about teamwork and respect from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts freely by affirming their responses. Use examples from their personal experiences to relate to Sister Bear’s challenges and achievements. Share your own experiences in trying new things to help cultivate an open and relatable dialogue. Highlight the importance of perseverance and support from loved ones in achieving goals. Point out how teamwork and respect are represented in the story and ask how these values play out in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Gender Equality
Explanation: The story portrays Sister Bear trying out for the football team, breaking traditional gender roles and stereotypes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and support gender inclusivity in sports and other activities, promoting equality among their peers.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Sister Bear faces various challenges and skepticism but continues to pursue her goal of playing football.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of persistence and hard work in achieving their goals, regardless of the obstacles they might face.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The book highlights the importance of teamwork as Sister Bear and her teammates work together on the field.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value and contribute to collaborative efforts in group settings, such as in sports, school projects, or family activities.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite facing setbacks and initial failure, Sister Bear stays resilient and motivated.
Real-World Application: This demonstrates to children the significance of resilience, helping them to bounce back from their own setbacks in life with a positive attitude.
Example Lesson: Breaking Stereotypes
Explanation: The narrative challenges the common stereotype that football is only for boys, showing Sister Bear competently playing the sport.
Real-World Application: Children learn to question and challenge societal stereotypes, fostering a more open and inclusive outlook towards diverse interests and abilities.