Join us, We're Going On A Bear Hunt!, don't be scared

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt
Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury

Children eagerly arrive at circle time when aware that We’re Going On A Bear Hunt! Within the pages of this retold traditional child’s story/fingerplay, Michael Rosen has delightfully put the words to print in a rapid, funny, and zestful manner. Helen Oxenbury allows sweeping landscapes to lay the palette for the comical drama that unfolds. This book is one that I highly recommend and is capable of captivating the attention of children 18 months through adulthood. I have witnessed positive listening results from children of all learning styles and needs.

Honestly, your child and you are certain to enjoy reading, chanting, and acting out We’re Going On A Bear Hunt! Be sure to add this fine publication to your home library! I generally read the book through once, and proceed to recapping with the chant – fingerplay – and acting out the bear hunt. Children become excited and interactive with this story, learning unfolds, as does a love for the written/illustrated word. Another terrific feature presents itself through the predictability that is displayed in the awesome illustrations. It has been proven that reciting/predicting aid in a child’s perseverance of reading.

The recommended reading level is 6 years through 2nd grade. As, you know this depends greatly on your child's comfort zone and interest. Be assured that I have witnessed the listening crowd of 18 months through 10 years enjoy hearing & interacting with this traditional chant. The prime age of enjoyment tends to be 4 years through 7 years of age.

Synopsis
For those aware of the traditional fingerplay/chant We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, you will be at comfortable ease with this story plot. You, basically, already know it. If this is new to you, don’t miss out! The story opens with four children (ranging from approximately 14 months through 8 years of age), their Father (I assume), and family dog venturing onto a bear hunt. We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day! We’re not scared. Oh-Oh! Grass! We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. Oh, no! We’ve got to go through it! Swishy, Swashy!….. They proceed through a river, thick mud, a forest, snowstorm, a cave, and alas – meet up with the bear, of course at this point they realize this isn’t what they wanted. The story has them returning, through recollection of the same adventures, to their home – into the bed – and under the covers. And, of course they proclaim, ”We’re not going on a bear hunt again.” Realize that naturally your child will want to go on a bear hunt, again, again, again….

Activities ~*~ Don’t Leave Without Reading This Message From An Adult Child…

~*~The obvious activity that we partake in is the chant/fingerplay and dramatization of We’re Going On A Bear Hunt.” Basically starting out with slap left leg, slap right leg, clap – repeating these actions until you reach the obstacle wording (Oh-oh! Grass!). At that point you act out over (hands with palms down, move in upward & over motion) and under (hand with palms up, move in down & under motion). Then for the obstacle action you fingerplay/dramatize that (go through it, swishy-swashy – hands together, palms out, part grass). Until the point of the encounter with the bear. At that point you are going to look scared. You then proceed to lead the children back through all of the obstacles and into bed (under cover).

~*~Take your child outdoors, weather permitting and Go on a bear hunt, while reciting the chant. The word replay allows for memorization, recollection, and enthusiasm. The dramatization allows for hands on interaction. Couple those elements together and excitement for the written word emerges.

~*~Illustrate and write his/her own bear hunt book. You may help them with whatever element they request. However, if you know they are capable of writing and/or illustrating I encourage you to provide only a jump-start. My oldest daughter has perfectionist traits so it was characteristic of her to feel an adult could accomplish the drawing better then she. She would proclaim that she could see the picture in her head but couldn’t make it look that way on paper. I would provide her encouraging words and a jump-start, but gently insist that she needed to complete the drawing or it wouldn’t be her artwork, it would be mommies. The mommy heartstrings in me despised doing that to her. I know though that we cannot fix everything for our children, and there remained a lesson for her to achieve by accomplishing work herself. This technique works very well with children who possess perfectionist qualities. My younger daughter creates away. However, she possesses an entirely different learning style then Chelsea. It is intriguing to watch the diversity in my preschool/daycare children, and to see learning evolve in an atmosphere where they can be who God intended. Themselves.

~*~I like to provide a play on words and go on a toy hunt, picking up the million duplos – blocks – and other toy items that abound the learning frontier. When cleanliness is accomplished we scramble to the table for snack. Works super for engaging cooperation.

~*~I have also assembled a corporate book by assigning pages to each child. Once the publication is complete, the children enjoy relishing in their accomplishment. In a larger classroom you might choose to publish several books, or have the children work as teams (one team illustrates and writes grass – swishy – swashy, another illustrates and writes river – splash – splash…..).

~*~This book has been occasionally used for bedtime. I have found this works well with my younger daughter. She has an extremely hard time transitioning to sleep time. Basically, Marisa is awake or asleep (energizer bunny). I read, she dramatizes, then under the covers for prayer and a sleepy time story.

I received this edition as a gift from a daycare family. You may purchase We're Going On A Bear Hunt for $17.00 and under at your favorite bookstore or online vendor.

Rather you choose to implement the additional choices is a personal decision. As his/her parent, you know your child best. Merely reading the book with them will encourage a love for reading! Research continues to support the need that is existent for parents to share reading time with children! Happy reading and learning!