Berenstain Bears head to big screen

Toronto-based Nelvana Ltd. is bringing the Berenstain Bears to the big screen in association with Walden Media of Los Angeles.

The Toronto animation studio created the Berenstain Bears TV series, which followed the everyday adventures of a family ofbears.

The television show was based ona series ofbooks created by illustrators Jan and Stan Berenstain in 1962.The couple'sson, Mike,himselfa writer-illustrator, has worked on recent editions of the books.

The more than 200 books addressed issues such as going to the dentist, getting a new baby brother or sister and gettingalong with friends.

Shawn Levy, the Montrealer who directed and produced the Night at the Museum films, will be a producer on the new film. The movie will feature live action mixed with computer-generated animation, according to a statement from Walden, which produced the Narnia films.

Stan Berenstain died in 2005, but Mike said his father would be "tickled pink that his very own bears were going to be in the movies." He saidhe and his mother are delighted by the film plans.