Toys, Books and Games

March 2026

Book pick: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Book pick(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 £3-£5, so it’s a realistic family buy. This book often appears at a low cost in UK retailers, both new and preloved.

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