Go on a bear hunt and do the actions with this award-winning picture book classic.

Follow and join in the family's excitement as they wade through the grass, splash through the river and squelch through the mud in search of a bear. What a surprise awaits them in the cave on the other side of the dark forest.

• A children's classic, now available in board book!
• Children will delight in the repeated phrases and onomatopoeic words. Perfect to read aloud.
• Winner of the Nestle Smarties Book Prize 1989, Highly Commended for the Kate Greenway medal 1988 (picture book).

Reviews

"This delightful picture book makes a new appearance as a board book, and it is wonderful. The same mix of black and white illustrations accompanied by a rhythmic text, which alternate with full-color spreads full of onomatopoeia, are still there as the family ventures through fields across streams and through icy landscapes until they meet up with a bear in its cave. It's a fantasy adventure that ends with the whole family snuggled under the comforter in the parents' big bed, and now the board book crowd will get to enjoy the fun." Children's Literature

"A father and his four children--a toddler, a preschool boy and two older girls--go on the traditional bear hunt based on the old camp chant: ``We're going to catch a big one. / What a beautiful day! / We're not scared. / Oh-oh! Grass! / Long, wavy grass. / We can't go over it. / We can't go under it. / Oh, no! / We've got to go through it!'' The family skids down a grassy slope, swishes across a river, sludges through mud and, of course, finally sees the bear, who chases them all back to their home. It's a fantastic journey--was it real or imagined?--with the family's actions (and interaction) adding to the trip a goodnatured, jolly mood…the ease with which the text can be shouted aloud make this ideal for families or groups to share." Publishers Weekly

"A dramatic and comic masterpiece… Beautifully produced, written and illustrated, this is a classic," The Independent on Sunday.

About the author

Michael Rosen is an eminent writer, broadcaster, poet and performer. He received the Eleanor onomatopeaic Award for services to children’s literature in 1997.

About the illustrator

Helen Oxenbury is one of the most popular illustrators of our time. Her awardwinning books include Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Farmer Duck.