We're Going on a Bear Hunt
More of a game than a story, this book uses sounds like "swishy swashy" and "splosh splosh" to invite movement. It’s an energetic, high-participation read that encourages kids to act out the adventure.
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen is estimated to take about 6 minutes to read aloud (410 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 2-5.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 6 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 410Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 5/5still good at forty
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 2-5Our editorial fit
Our review
The repetitive, rhythmic sounds make this perfect for reading aloud with lots of hand and foot movements. The fast-paced "run home" at the end is a highlight for kids who love to shout along.
It's a high-energy book that keeps children moving and engaged throughout the entire sequence.
Before you buy it
This is a high-energy read that can leave kids feeling quite revved up. If you're looking for a calming bedtime story, this isn't the one.
Themes
- adventure
- sounds
- family
- weather
Books like We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
The Gruffaloabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!about 3.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Chicka Chicka Boom Boomabout 5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoesabout 4.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Press Hereabout 4.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read We're Going on a Bear Hunt aloud?
About 6 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 410. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is We're Going on a Bear Hunt actually for?
Ages 2-5 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does We're Going on a Bear Hunt survive being read on repeat?
Yes - this is one of the few that is still fine on the fortieth reading, which is why it scores 5 out of 5 with us.
Is We're Going on a Bear Hunt a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with, and it asks the child questions to answer out loud. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise We're Going on a Bear Hunt?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 5 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read We're Going on a Bear Hunt on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 2 sentences a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
What themes does We're Going on a Bear Hunt cover?
We tag it with adventure, sounds, family and weather. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists We're Going on a Bear Hunt is on
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