We're Going on a Bear Hunt
By Michael Rosen
The Story
A father and his four children set off to catch a bear, crossing grass, a river, mud, a forest, and a snowstorm before a narrow cave forces a sudden, breathless retreat.
Why It's Special
For the kid who wants every walk to become an expedition, this turns an afternoon outdoors into a family quest with real suspense at the end of it.
- Big idea: Adventuring together — through mud, cold, and fear — is what makes a family brave.
- Vibes: Rollicking, rhythmic, and full of swishing, splashing momentum that builds toward one big scare.
Perfect For Kids Who
- love repeating rhythmic phrases like 'swishy swashy'
- like to act out squelching through mud or wading through water
- enjoy a story that builds suspense before a big payoff
- respond well to a journey structure with the same obstacles each time
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story recall: Can you name all the places the family walked through to find the bear?
- Sound & movement: Can you make the sound for swishing through grass, or squelching through mud?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the children felt when they finally found the bear?
- Imagination: If you went on your own bear hunt, what obstacle would you want to cross?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever gone on a walk that felt like an adventure?
