Free Reading Guide — A complete conversation guide for reading We're Going on a Bear Hunt with children ages 2–6.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Walker Books, 1989

Easy difficulty · Ages 2–6

Book Verified

Conversation Starters

1. The family says "We're not scared!" before every obstacle — but then they run all the way home at the end! Do you think they really weren't scared? Have you ever pretended to be brave when you were actually a bit nervous?

2. They go through long wavy grass, a cold river, a snowstorm, and a cave. Which place would feel the most exciting to explore? Which would you most want to avoid?

3. At the end, the bear sits alone outside their door and then walks sadly back to his cave. How do you think the bear feels? Do you think the family meant to upset him?

4. They can't go over it, can't go under it — they have to go through it! Can you think of a problem where you had to go right through it instead of around it?

5. The whole family goes together — big, medium, and little. Why do you think adventures feel different when you share them with your family?

Reading Tips

This book is designed for participation — once children know the pattern, they will shout the refrains ("We're not scared!") along with you. Let them lead!
Use sound effects for each environment: swish swish for the grass, splash splosh for the river, hoooo woooo for the snowstorm. Children can help create the sounds.
Slow right down during the cave scene — lower your voice as they creep in, and build up the excitement before the big discovery.
Helen Oxenbury's illustrations alternate between full colour (outdoors) and black and white (the family). Look at these together and ask what your child notices.

Educational Value

This classic celebration of family adventure is extraordinary for building phonological awareness and language rhythm. The repetitive, cumulative structure teaches children to follow narrative sequence, predict what comes next, and join in — all crucial pre-reading skills. The sensory language (squelchy, stumbling, swirling) builds descriptive vocabulary in a natural, joyful way. The story also gently introduces the idea that bravery isn't the absence of fear — it's going anyway, together. The ending, which asks children to consider the bear's feelings, offers a beautiful early lesson in empathy.

Content Considerations

The bear in the cave scene can be startling for very young or sensitive children — the tension builds deliberately and the family's mad dash home is genuinely exciting and fast-paced. Most children find this thrilling rather than frightening, but it's worth knowing the moment is coming. The ending, where the bear is shown alone and sad, may prompt questions about the bear's feelings — this is a lovely opportunity for a conversation about empathy and perspective-taking.

Similar Books You Might Enjoy

The Gruffalo

by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

A clever mouse walks through the deep dark wood and uses quick thinking to outsmart every predator — including the Gruffalo itself.

Each Peach Pear Plum

by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

A beautifully illustrated I-spy adventure through nursery rhyme land. Every page hides a familiar character to spot and name.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle

A small caterpillar eats through an extraordinary array of food before emerging as a beautiful butterfly. A timeless story of growth and transformation.

Get a Personalised Guide for Any Book

This is a sample of what our AI generates for any picture book.

Full guides include more conversation starters, tailored reading tips, and recommendations matched to your child's age and interests — for just 99p/99¢/€0.99.

Search for Your Book