Stan Berenstain, the creator of the Berenstain Bears children’s books, has died at the age of 82 in Pennsylvania, Reuters reports.

Berenstain’s publisher HarperCollins said he died on Saturday of complications from cancer.

Berenstain and his wife Jan co-wrote and illustrated more than 200 Berenstain Bears books. The Bear family is headed by carpenter Papa Bear and quilt-maker Mama Bear. They have three children, Brother Bear, Sister Bear and Honey Bear, the last of whom joined the clan in 2000’s The Berenstain Bears and Baby Makes Five.

Stan Berenstain was born in Philadelphia on September 29, 1923. He studied fine arts at the city’s Museum School and later became interested in cartooning. He spent more than three years in the U.S. Army during World War II. After leaving the military, he married Jan.

In 1962, the Berenstains submitted a book to Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. That book, The Big Honey Hunt, introduced a generation of children to the Bear family.

Stan Berenstain is survived by his wife, sons Leo and Michael, a sister and four grandchildren. Jan and Michael Berenstain will continue the book series.






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