The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day
This story allows a child to feel their way through the move by letting the protagonist express reluctance. It provides a realistic look at the transition, including a new tree house to imagine.
The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day by Stan and Jan Berenstain is estimated to take about 9.5 minutes to read aloud (875 words, about 3 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 9.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 875Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 3Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 3/5holds up
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 4-6Our editorial fit
Our review
Instead of an immediate happy resolution, the story shows the character listing everything being left behind. This can be very validating for a child experiencing change.
The detail in the illustrations, particularly the new home, gives children something to focus on and plan for during the transition.
Before you buy it
The story lasts nearly nine minutes, which might feel long for a three-year-old. You'll also find that the reassuring tone doesn't show up until the final third.
Themes
- moving
- bears
- new friends
- change
Books like The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Moveabout 12 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Boomer's Big Dayabout 6 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
A Kiss Goodbyeabout 12 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Goodbye Houseabout 5.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Awayabout 6.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day aloud?
About 9.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 875. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day actually for?
Ages 4-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 3 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day survive being read on repeat?
Yes, reasonably. It stays bearable through the repeat-request phase without becoming a favourite forever.
Can a beginning reader read The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 3 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
Is The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Berenstain Bears series. It stands on its own, so you can start here without reading the others in order, then move to the rest if it lands.
What themes does The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day cover?
We tag it with moving, bears, new friends and change. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
