WE'RE GOING on a BEAR HUNT

by MICHAEL ROSEN, illustrated by HELEN OXENBURY

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Brand new board book, 36 pages. Measures 15 x 13 cm.

This best-selling story follows along on one brave family's joyous romp through a series of sweeping landscapes. Brave bear hunters go through grass, a river, mud, and other obstacles before the inevitable encounter with the bear forces a headlong retreat

Now the very youngest readers can join in the fun with this Classic Board Book edition of We're Going on a Bear Hunt, full of delightful comedy and high drama. Beautifully illustrated by Helen Oxenbury with full-page colour and black and white illustrations.

This worthy winner of the Smarties prize in 1989 is a timeless classic that is enjoyed by children of all ages as well as by the adults who are continually asked to read it again and again. Follow the family's excitement as they wade through the grass, splash through the river and squelch through the mud in search of the bear. What a surprise awaits us all in the cave on the other side of the dark forest. Michael Rosen's lyrical, repetitive text reads aloud beautifully and Helen Oxenbury's delightful watercolour illustrations not only provide the perfect complement but also add another dimension to the story itself. (Ages 3 and over)

About the author

Michael Wayne Rosen (born in London on 7 May 1946), is a broadcaster, children's novelist and poet and the author of 140 books. He started studying Medicine but switched to an English Literature degree at Oxford University. After graduating Rosen worked for the BBC 'until they chucked him out' and has been a freelance writer, broadcaster, lecturer, performer since 1972.

His first childrens book, Mind Your Own Business, was illustrated by Quentin Blake and published in 1974. He was appointed as the fifth Children's Laureate in June 2007 and held this honour till 2009. Michael supports Arsenal Football Club.

About the illustrator

Helen Oxenbury is an award-winning illustrator of many classic picture books. Helen grew up in Ipswich, England and from a very early age developed a passion for drawing. She attended art school as a teenager, and during holidays she worked at the "Ipswich Repertory Theatre Workshop", mixing paints. In her adult life she embarked on careers in theatre, film, and TV. After marrying children’s book illustrator John Burningham, she turned to illustrating children’s books.

Her numerous books for children include the Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll; Smarties Book Prize-winning Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell; We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen; Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, written by Mem Fox,as well as her classic board books for babies.

In 1988, she created a series of books about a mischievous young boy called Tom, and his stuffed monkey, Pippo. She commented that Tom was very much like her son in his younger years. Like Tom, her son would often blame his misdeeds on an accomplice (the family dog). She is still illustrating children’s books with her more recent work including the illustrations for "The Growing Story" in the September 2008 edition of Bayard Presse's StoryBox books. Ms. Oxenbury lives with her husband, illustrator John Burningham, in North London.

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We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury