We're Going on a Bear Hunt Award-winning by Michael Rosen (author) and Helen Oxenbury (illustrator)

Author/Illustrator

Michael Rosen

Michael Rosen was born into a London Jewish family, the son of two distinguished educators – Connie and Harold Rosen. Michael’s childhood was rich in books, stories and conversation.

Michael attended Middlesex Hospital Medical School for a year but transferred to Wadham College, Oxford to study English Literature. At Oxford, he started to realise his ambition of acting (as well as writing and directing). Michael still says that if he wasn’t a poet, he’d like to be an actor. Anyone who has seen him in performance knows that he already is!

The narrowness of his course of study proved a source of dissatisfaction and Michael began looking outside his recommended reading to contemporary working, class ballads. He retains a passion for street rhymes, popular songs and folk stories.

Michael Rosen has been writing poetry since the age of 18. His first collection, Mind Your Own Business, was published in 1974. Although it was not planned as a collection for children, it appeared on Andre Deutsch’s children’s list. This, says Michael, was a turning point – “Suddenly it all fused: the writing, the performing, the popular audience. It was just incredibly exhilarating.”

He quickly made a name for himself with his collections of humorous verse and picture books for children. He is described as one of the most significant figures in contemporary children’s poetry, drawing closely on his own childhood experiences, and ‘telling it as it was’ in the ordinary language children actually use.

Michael is now a poet, author and broadcaster, and was Children’s Laureate from 2007-2009.

Reviews

1. Anita Humphries
   on 27 March 2024

   Timeless, fun classic.

   A friend bought this book for my son years ago, she told me it was not to be read but sung. I said how do you sing a whole story book. She showed me a video of Micheal Rosen doing so. That book became a firm favourite and passed from my son to my daughter who at age 7 still loves it. What a fun way to spend time with children.

   5 out of 5

2. Kelly
   on 11 February 2012

   Fantastic Book

   Fabulous book for young children. Fantastic for pre schoolers as phrases are repeated throughout the book. Will also help those learning to read to remember repeat words.

   Downside is you'll have the story stuck in your head for a while after reading :)

   4 out of 5

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What kids think

1. 8tractor921
   on 9 May 2022

   When I was younger I used to read this book all the time. Good book for children around 4 – 6 years

   4 out of 5

2. emerald234
   on 2 January 2020

   Utter British classic. Memories of early childhood…

   5 out of 5

3. Booklover550
   on 17 June 2019

   This book is rubbish. It’s really teadious. I would reccommend it to 2-4 years.

   1 out of 5

4. Cookiegirl
   on 15 April 2019

   duh my daddddy is two years old and she has a lot more of tuuuuummmuyyu than me

   5 out of 5

5. PrincessMustacheMinion
   on 10 January 2017

   this book is rubbish it dose not tell you iny thing about going on a bear hunt there is only sound afects and little kids will think that you think you talk like shh grr and thats not how you talk and if you think i am a old mean porson i am not the book is just rubbish.

   1 out of 5

6. Brambs4life
   on 6 January 2017

   This was a really good book when I was 4

   1 out of 5

7. Selinda769
   on 30 March 2016

   This book is aimed at 1-3 yrs

   2 out of 5

8. Jasmine-1602
   on 28 March 2016

   Loved it

   My mum read it to me when I was three, four , two and one. It is very clever liked the bit where they said were going on a bear hunt. I recommend it.

9. Sweet2005lovely
   on 12 May 2015

   My mum ALWAYS reads this book to most of the children she knows and she really likes it and thinks its a great book for children to read so 5/5 from me.

10. Kittens510
    on 26 April 2015

    I read this book when I was little and I absolutely loved It . It’s a great book for little children.

    5 out of 5

11. Roodieroo
    on 9 March 2014

    Great book

12. crazykitty
    on 8 March 2014

    This is my little sisters favourite book. She used to get my dad to read to her every night. This makes areally good bedtime story Mostly for children under 10

13. alibaba4
    on 8 March 2014

    Fave childhood book

14. Book-Lover1234
    on 8 March 2014

    This is a timeless classic which everyone, even adults, enjoy to bits! This is the type of book that once you have read it you will always remember it!

    5 out of 5

15. harper01
    on 7 March 2014

    I really like this book and all the sounds you have to make when reading it, its a fun read

    5 out of 5

16. madness86
    on 7 March 2014

    I love this book its brilliant and love joining in with my mummy and saying the story as my mummy reads to me. I now know the story as ive read it so many times i love it.

    5 out of 5

17. Spidergirl
    on 6 March 2014

    great book

    4 out of 5

18. Readingwizard55
    on 6 March 2014

    This book is a family favourite and will brighten up your day for any ages.

19. damlaberry
    on 6 March 2014

    I enjoyed it because it was about adventures

    2 out of 5

20. Catherine0703
    on 6 March 2014

    A family goes on a bear hunt! But will they find a bear? Read this fun filled adventure story to find out!

21. Aimeemitch
    on 5 March 2014

    Marvellous book for 3-7 genius

    3 out of 5

22. heart29
    on 5 March 2014

    a great kid’s book ;)

    3 out of 5

23. Robotron40
    on 5 March 2014

    I remember reading this book as a small child, and I LOVED it. I definitely recommend this book to little ones.

    4 out of 5

24. leo2005
    on 5 March 2014

    it is a brilliant book!

    5 out of 5

25. madistar23
    on 4 March 2014

    This book still makes me feel excited to read it! One of the best children’s books I’ve read.

26. cpugh5345
    on 4 March 2014

    i thought this was an amazing book. full of detail and i could place myself in the book as one of the characters.

    5 out of 5

27. zebra5
    on 4 March 2014

    I like the bit when they go in to the cave and the part when the lady trips in the forest.

28. moshlinglover06
    on 3 March 2014

    I thought this book was funny when they see the bear.

    5 out of 5

29. lit102
    on 5 April 2013

    I still love this book even though im ten .

30. iggypop000
    on 24 March 2013

    I read it sens I was at playgroup.I fort the bear was going to eat the people but it dident.???????

31. pawprint2
    on 8 March 2013

    Funny

32. lillycutety874
    on 8 March 2013

    I reall ylike this book although I am 10

33. supercoolcharm
    on 7 March 2013

    they go on a bear hunt then everyone says were going on a bear hunt we’re going to catch a big one we’re not scared but they are ….. they all run home and go under the covers and they say we’re never going on a bear hunt ever again!!!

    5 out of 5

34. ninjastickman
    on 7 March 2013

    This has got to be one of my family favourite books where every body joins in making the sounds of various obstacles and sometimes we don’t even get to the end because we’re all laughing. I would recommend this book for young children.

    5 out of 5

35. natashakrywald
    on 6 March 2013

    good for little kids! always loved this book!

36. samcharlie123
    on 5 March 2013

    We’re going on a bear hunt…

    What an amazing book! Perfect for all younger readers.

    Well worth a read, if you like rhyming books and having a laugh.

    5 out of 5

37. lmdrld
    on 5 March 2013

    This is about a family trying to catch a bear.

38. Bookworm-mania101
    on 5 March 2013

    I read this with my niece she liked the sound effects I did

39. Nashdasher
    on 4 March 2013

    For a young read this book is lovely for young people an I have even memorised

    5 out of 5

40. sunnyrainbow123
    on 4 March 2013

    they go on a bear hunt then everyone says were going on a bear hunt we’re going to catch a big one we’re not scared but they are …..

    they all run home and go under the covers and they say we’re never going on a bear hunt ever again!!!

      
        4 stars
      
    

41. Emster123
    on 18 February 2013

    I used to love is book when I was little, and I still do!!! I found that this book really gave me confidence reading and that not all books are boring! I love the pictures that go with it and how colourful they are so that it attracts little children. This book is without doubt for younger readers but I wouldn’t still recommend for older readers, for a but of a laugh!!!

42. onedirection2004
    on 16 February 2013

    I think this is brill! But definitely for younger children.

    By Ella

    5 out of 5

43. MrOsibumblebee
    on 3 April 2012

    Brilliant book!Highly recommend, had this bought as a gift when my son was 2 and read it every night for at least a month! he is now 4, reads it now and then but quotes from it all the time when we go for walks in the country, brilliant fun!Brilliant bed time story :-)

    5 out of 5

44. kicky105
    on 6 March 2012

    I loved this book when I was little – I remember reciting it – ‘we can’t go’ etc. Now I read it to my niece a lot and she loves it too – she is 2!

    5 out of 5

45. la1397
    on 4 March 2012

    I’ve red this as a child and my little brother and its a really lovely book. The story is really simple, but really sweet for little children. Especially if they can talk, so they can read the story with you.

46. hamy1710
    on 4 March 2012

    really enjoyed this book!

47. svjimmy
    on 3 March 2012

    A very fun and adventurous story. When I was little I would read it time and time again.Also lovely pictures.

    5 out of 5

48. dashernasher
    on 3 March 2012

    this is so good for the little ones. i like it to.

49. StarstoneShyElk
    on 2 March 2012

    great for kids

    5 out of 5

50. angelslater
    on 2 March 2012

    my brother is doing a project on this i read it with him all the time

51. Flissy22
    on 1 March 2012

    adored this book when i was little, i would read this to any child 5 or under and i know they would love it.

52. Narutorendan45
    on 1 March 2012

    It was a great book that read, and I can even remember it now! I had this book when I was younger and loved it! Even today, I still own the book and like to read it every now and then. I would definitely recommend this book to people of all ages, as it is adventurous and imaginative. :)

    5 out of 5

53. aeroaeromonkey
    on 1 March 2012

    amazing so sweet.

    5 out of 5

54. indigobeam
    on 1 March 2012

    This book is the prefect family read, with amazing characters and a fantastic plot line, We’re Going On A Bear Hunt will stay in your heart forever.

55. Partyfairy123
    on 1 March 2012

    It is about a bear at the very last bit and peepul trying to find the bear. It was funny when the peepul said haa a bear and thay ran upsters.

    4 out of 5

56. iluvbooks13
    on 1 March 2012

    great for little children

57. leSquidge
    on 1 March 2012

    This book is a nice read with nice pictures and is great for reading to my 9 month year old.

    5 out of 5

58. sc8326
    on 29 February 2012

    Classic story for young imaginations. Very catchy …we play going on a bear hunt everytime we go on a walk by reciting the words from the book.

    4 out of 5

59. zoeoy
    on 18 July 2011

    it is a very good book for 4-7 year olds but it not that good when you are 9

60. lola100
    on 15 May 2011

    Hello,this book is fantastic!!

61. Dizneygirl1
    on 9 March 2011

    we are going on a bear hunt we are not scared been there before

62. fizzpop01
    on 3 March 2011

    tgis book is sooooooo old i remember this book from reception i’ll never forget it !it’s so funny

63. SillyylliS
    on 3 March 2011

    a great book to start your reading

    5 out of 5

64. cutekittens
    on 3 March 2011

    very cute book for kids to read

65. monkey00
    on 3 March 2011

    I loved this book when i was little and i still love!

    5 out of 5

66. Fumatory
    on 3 March 2011

    I did like this book when I was younger. But, I find it’s a bit too repetitive as I’m older now and would be good for children aged 5-10 years. Once I read it, I had to act it out. It is fun if you act it out, but I feel I am too old for it now. It’s great as a play. But because it’s a short story, the next time you read it you know exactly what’s going to happen. I would recommend, but only for younger children to read.

67. Lolo95
    on 3 March 2011

    This is a great book to read and I have the bear to go with the story I love the sounds we can make when reading it and its just a great tale.

    5 out of 5

68. xxisabellatrixx
    on 27 February 2011

    i used to love this when i was a little kid and i still do, a charming and timeless classic, ideal for all children

69. cool-dude64
    on 15 February 2011

    I think it was not for me it is a bit babyish and boring it kept using the same words so to sum up it is the wost book I EVER read.

    2 out of 5

70. lol123
    on 11 February 2011

    I think this book is very good for 3-beond its really good.

    5 out of 5

71. candyfloss1
    on 24 January 2011

    SOOOO COOL I loved it when i was 4 an do now

    5 out of 5

72. flipper12
    on 12 July 2010

    my daughter loves this book

    5 out of 5

73. Fifi44
    on 5 June 2010

    I quite like this.

    3 out of 5

74. sweet3
    on 4 June 2010

    I love this book because how they suggested to get through long grass,river,mud,woods,snow storm and the cave.

    5 out of 5

75. SandLoves1D
    on 13 July 2009

    I thoght this was a really cool book – I read it when i was in the infants in year 1! When I was in year 1 it wasnt my fav book then. 8-)

    4 out of 5