A Newly Discovered and Never-Before-Seen Berenstain Bears Manuscript to Be Published by RHCB
Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, will publish TOO LOOSE, TOO TIGHT, JUST RIGHT, by beloved creators Stan and Jan Berenstain, which was recently discovered and updated by their son Mike Berenstain, it was announced today by Heidi Kilgras, VP, Associate Publisher, Random House Books for Young Readers. Frank Berrios, Executive Editor, Random House Books for Young Readers, acquired world rights from Mary Krienke at Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. and will edit the book.
Mike Berenstain, son of Stan and Jan Berenstain, who uncovered the manuscript in 2020.
Mike Berenstain, son of Stan and Jan Berenstain, uncovered the manuscript in 2020 while cleaning out an old file cabinet in his basement. Originally developed decades ago by his parents, the picture book was never published. After discovering it, Mike thoughtfully revised and illustrated TOO LOOSE, TOO TIGHT, JUST RIGHT, bringing the project to life for a new generation of readers.
“What was most interesting to me was how good TOO LOOSE, TOO TIGHT, JUST RIGHT was,” says Mike Berenstain. “It was funny, clever, educational, and entertaining, a classic children’s book that had been conceived, created, then completely forgotten for over fifty years. I decided it deserved to be developed and published as a brand-new book. I hope this fully realized blast from the Berenstain Bears past will be of interest to all true bear lovers, and that everyone will enjoy the fun and humor of Stan and Jan’s classic work as much as I do.”
With signature Berenstain warmth and kid-friendly appeal, TOO LOOSE, TOO TIGHT, JUST RIGHT invites readers to learn about opposites as they follow a young bear while he tries to find a sweater, a hat, and a cup of hot cocoa that feel just right on a snowy, winter day. The book is similar in style to several titles that Stan and Jan designed in the late 1960s for legendary creator Ted Geisel’s Bright & Early Book series.
“What a treat to have the opportunity to publish a new and never-before-seen Berenstain Bears book!” says Heidi Kilgras. “The concept of TOO LOOSE, TOO TIGHT, JUST RIGHT is so reminiscent of some of the indelible Berenstain Bear classics such as Old Hat, New Hat and Inside Outside Upside Down. and it will surely take its rightful place in the Bright & Early line—right at home with the other Berenstain Bear stories that so many generations have grown up on.”
TOO LOOSE, TOO TIGHT, JUST RIGHT will be published in a deluxe jacketed hardcover format. The book will feature exclusive bonus content, including never-before-seen sketches and photos, which will give readers an indepth window into the process for bringing this title to publication, as well as the origin story behind the Berenstain Bears and Stan and Jan Berenstain’s historic work with Ted Geisel.