Berenstain Bears Living Lights Brand Surpasses 5 Million Units Sold

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Nov. 5, 2015 - PRLog -- Everyone’s favorite Bear family, Papa, Mama, Brother, Sister, and little Honey Bear, continue to be as popular as they were at their origin in 1962 by husband and wife author/illustrator duo, Stan and Jan Berenstain. This is equally true for readers of faith-based children’s books, as the Berenstain Bears Living Lights brand from Zonderkidz (a HarperCollins Christian Publishing imprint) has recently surpassed a sales milestone of five million units since the beginning of the Living Lights brand in 2008.

After a proposal from their son Mike, an active partner in the Berenstain Bears franchise since the 1980s, Stan and Jan Berenstain began a relationship with Zonderkidz to produce the first faith-based editions of their brand under the name Living Lights. Upon their passing, Mike assumed the role of  author and illustrator for all Berenstain Bears products, including the Living Lights brand.

“My parents, Stan and Jan, and I first conceived the Living Lights series of spiritually-themed Berenstain Bears books over ten years ago,” said Mike Berenstain, “Sadly, my dad passed away before the series could be launched in 2008 and my mom followed him in 2012. Since then, I have continued creating the books on my own. It has been immensely gratifying to experience the warm support and enthusiasm of our audience for this series focusing on the spiritual side of family life. Reaching the five million books sold milestone certainly highlights how our readers have taken this concept to their hearts. I hope to continue creating new books in the Living Lights line for many years to come.”

In the current resurging trend of nostalgic cartoon and book series, The Berenstain Bears remain as strong as ever for consumers who consistently turn to the Bear family to help guide their little ones in lessons of family, manners, morality, holidays, and faith. The Berenstain Bears Living Lights brand offers a wide variety of books and storybook Bibles, including a full-text NIrV Bible for emerging readers and even a cookbook featuring treasured recipes from family matriarch Jan Berenstain.

Zonderkidz continues to offer Berenstain Bears titles with each new catalog to appeal to the ever-increasing demand for Living Lights books. “Reaching the milestone of five million units sold is a very exciting accomplishment for Zonderkidz. The Berenstain Bears have been a part of many families lives beginning in the early 1960s. We’re thrilled to be able to continue bringing this treasured brand into homes and libraries through our faith-based Living Lights line,” said Annette Bourland, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Zonderkidz. “Families trust the Berenstain Bears to help parents talk through many of life’s lessons. Through the Living Lights brand, they have a resource that helps them explain some of the intricacies of faith and culture in a way young children can relate to.”

The Berenstain Bears Living Lights brand includes popular titles such as The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule, The Berenstain Bears Say Their Prayers, The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story, and the recently released The Berenstain Bears and the Very First Christmas. The Berenstain Bears Living Lights books and Bibles are available wherever books are sold, both in-store and online. For more information on the Berenstain Bears, the history of the brand and catalog of products, visit www.berenstainbears.com. For more information on Zonderkidz and The Berenstain Bears Living Lights brand, visit www.zondervan.com.

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About the Author: Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear books in 1962. Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Since the late 80s, he has been very much involved as a writer and illustrator with his family’s creation, the Berenstain Bears. He continued to work with his mother, Jan, creating new books, up until her death in 2012. The antics and activities of Mike’s three children have provided inspiration for many Berenstain Bears books over the years. Though Stan and Jan passed away in 2006 and 2012, respectively, Mike continues to create the delightful Bear adventures from a studio in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks much like the sunny dirt road deep in Bear Country. www.berenstainbears.com

Zonderkidz™, the children’s division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children’s communications, it creates products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 14. Zonderkidz is also publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader’s Version) Bible translation, the third grade reading level edition of the NIV. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Zondervanis a world-leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. Zondervan, as part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources, and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, MI. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.