We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
(Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury)
Why this one?
If you want one book that reliably gets preschoolers talking, this is it. The repeated phrases help children join in, the story uses words that imitate sounds, and the setting words build school-readiness language (over, under, through, around).
These are words children need to follow instructions and explain what they’re doing in a Reception classroom — and they come up all day, every day.
It’s also brilliant for confidence because children can “read” parts from memory very quickly.
Price
Expect to pay £1-£5, so it’s a realistic family buy. This book often appears at a low cost in UK retailers, both new and on preloved apps and websites.
Grown-ups’ Guide
Read once for fun.
Read again and pause so your child can say the repeated bits (even just one word).
Do a 1-minute “bear hunt” at home: go through a doorway, under a table, over a cushion — say the words as you move
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