We're Going on a Bear Hunt (Little Favourites) [Hardcover]

When Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury's family go on a bear hunt, they are full of the bravado and confidence that the knowledge of failure brings:

We're going on a bear hunt,
We're going to catch a big one.
What a beautiful day!
We're not scared.

Caves, mud, rivers, forest … whatever obstacles the family encounters, they overcome with reassuring ease. But when their quest is successful, they decide bear hunts are not to be repeated.

Chunkily manageable for little hands, repetition of the "We can't go over it. / We can't go under it. / Oh no! / We've got to go through it" kind, and frequent onomatopoeia ("Swishy Swashy … Splash Splosh … Hoooo Woooo") will maintain interest for even the youngest of listeners.

The only disappointment in this wipe-clean board book is that the colour story boards are alternated with less interesting black-and-white ones, but apart from that Helen Oxenbury keeps to her usual high standard of illustration and, combined with Michael Rosen's delightful tale, it's easy to see why We're Going on a Bear Hunt is a former winner of the Smarties Prize. (Ages 3 to 5.) - -Lucie Naylor --This text refers to the Board book edition.

"Beautifully produced, written and illustrated, this is a classic work for any age at any period." The Independent on Sunday" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

A special hardback edition in a slipcase to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the classic, best-selling picture book. With a new introduction written by Michael Rosen. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Follow 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. This is a mini-sized gift edition of Michael Rosen's tale.

Michael Rosen is a writer, broadcaster, poet and performer. He received the Eleanor Farjeon Award for services to children's literature in 1997 and lives in London. Helen Oxenbury is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed illustrators working today, winning numerous awards including the Kate Greenaway Medal for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. She lives in London. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.