Copyright © 2002 by Berenstain Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by Random House, Inc., New York, and simultaneously in Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto. www.randomhouse.com/kids www.berenstainbears.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Berenstain, Stan. The Berenstain Bears and the real Easter eggs / by Stan & Jan Berenstain. p. cm. – (A first time book) 2 summary: The Berenstain Bear cubs are anxiously awaiting all the candy and Easter eggs that Easter will bring, but Mama Bear and Mother Nature show them the true wonders of the season. ISBN 0-375-81133-8 (trade) — ISBN 0-375-91133-2 (lib. bdg.) eISBN: 978-0-375-98247-7 (ebk) [1. Easter—Fiction. 2. Bears —Fiction.] I. Berenstain, Jan. II. Title. PZ7.B4483 Bejq 2002 [E]—dc21 2001041882 Random House and colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc. v3.1 Title Page Copyright First Page 3 “… Nineteen … twenty … twenty-one … twenty-two …twenty-three. How about that?” said Sister Bear. “I got twenty-three valentines at school today—seven signed with names, eight guess-whos, and eight S.W.A.K.s.” 4 Brother smiled. He knew that there were twenty-four cubs in Sister’s class and Teacher Jane made every cub give every other cub a valentine. But Sister was enjoying her valentines so much that he didn’t say anything. Besides, he’d gotten quite a few himself. 5 “I just love holidays!” said Sister. “I wish every day was a holiday. Then you could get stuff every day.” “Oh?” said Mama, who’d been listening. “Is that all holidays mean to you—getting stuff?” 6 “Sure,” said Sister. “You get turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, presents on Christmas, and valentines on Valentine’s Day. What’s wrong with that?” 7 “What’s wrong with that,” said Mama, “is that holidays are about much more. Thanksgiving is about being thankful, Christmas is about good will and peace on earth,