Stan and Jan Berenstain were both born in 1923 in Philadelphia.ย ย They didn't know each other as children, but met later at school, at the Philadelphia College of Art.ย ย They liked each other right away, and found out that the both enjoyed the same kinds of books, plays, music and art.ย ย During World War II, Stan was a medical assistant in the Army, and Jan worked in an airplane factory.ย ย When the war was over, they got married and began to work together as artists and writers, primarily drawing cartoons for popular magazines.ย ย After having their two sons Leo and Michael, the Berenstains decided to write some funny children's books that their children and other children could read and enjoy.ย ย Their first published children's book was called The Big Honey Hunt .ย ย It was about a family of bears, who later became known as the "Berenstain Bears".ย ย
Over 50 children's books later, Stan and Jan still plan all of their books together -- both write the stories, and both write the pictures.ย ย They live outside of Philadelphia in the country.