The Berenstain Bears Christmas Tree

Based on the stories by Stan and Jan Berenstain, this hour-plus compilation from the popular series revolving around the lesson-laden adventures of the Bear family features five episodes. The titular 1979 special follows clumsy Papa as he takes Brother and Sister on a wild goose chase looking for the perfect holiday tree, completely ignoring Mama's suggestion to buy locally from Grizzly Gus…and her warning about an upcoming snowstorm. Singing their way through the forest, Papa rejects one tree after another—some are inhabited by other creatures—until it's too late, although luckily some kindly animals help the family with an alternative method for displaying their “bearloom” ornaments. Other episodes from the 1985-87 TV series include “The Ice Monster,” “Learn About Strangers,” “Forget Their Manners,” and “Get Stage Fright” (in which Sister is a nervous princess in a production of Grizzlystiltskin). Featuring the voices of Ruth Buzzi and Frank Welker, this blast from the past includes old-style Saturday morning cartoon animation, but lasting core value messages. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)