What do you think?
Rate this book
Oh Dear, Look What I Got!
"A guaranteed hit for the storytime set, from a team whose talents haven’t aged a day."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
The incomparable creative team behind We’re Going on a Bear Hunt reunite for a read-aloud comedy of misunderstandings that has all the hallmarks of a classic.
I went to the shop to get me a carrot.
Oh dear! They gave me . . .
. . . a parrot.
Oh dear! Look what I got.
Do I want that? No, I do NOT!
As a hapless boy goes from shop to shop, requesting a series of perfectly reasonable items—a hat, a coat, a cake, a chair—he finds himself thwarted at every turn, amassing instead a growing menagerie of animals who happily follow him on his errands. It’s not until he finally asks for a cup that he’s proffered a wriggly creature that solves his dilemma . . . or does it? Adding delicious momentum to Michael Rosen’s rhymes (and mastery of the page turn) are an expressive crew of animal characters rendered as only Helen Oxenbury can, making for a timeless story guaranteed to beg many repeat readings. Oh dear!
The incomparable creative team behind We’re Going on a Bear Hunt reunite for a read-aloud comedy of misunderstandings that has all the hallmarks of a classic.
I went to the shop to get me a carrot.
Oh dear! They gave me . . .
. . . a parrot.
Oh dear! Look what I got.
Do I want that? No, I do NOT!
As a hapless boy goes from shop to shop, requesting a series of perfectly reasonable items—a hat, a coat, a cake, a chair—he finds himself thwarted at every turn, amassing instead a growing menagerie of animals who happily follow him on his errands. It’s not until he finally asks for a cup that he’s proffered a wriggly creature that solves his dilemma . . . or does it? Adding delicious momentum to Michael Rosen’s rhymes (and mastery of the page turn) are an expressive crew of animal characters rendered as only Helen Oxenbury can, making for a timeless story guaranteed to beg many repeat readings. Oh dear!
40 pages, Hardcover
Published September 2, 2025
126 people want to read
About the author
Michael Rosen
581 books544 followersMichael Rosen, a recent British Children’s Laureate, has written many acclaimed books for children, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and I’M NUMBER ONE and THIS IS OUR HOUSE, both illustrated by Bob Graham. Michael Rosen lives in London.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
September 24, 2025
3. 5 stars This team creates so well together. I loved the illustrations and the opportunity for kids to guess the rhyming text. The end did not work for me. The illustrations were fine, but the text was clunky. Wish it rhymed. Worth a revisit to possibly use in storytime.
November 24, 2025
Tot was amused. Very pretty art.
February 11, 2026
instant storytime gem!
September 7, 2025
Fast-paced, rollicking rhyming fun destined for the classic shelf. A delightful way for the very young to explore, guess and learn the vagaries of (English) language and rhyme.
October 22, 2025
This adorable story in cumulative verse (in which a writer adds new phrases in each repetition) features a small child who is on a shopping trip. At every store, instead of the item requested, the shopkeeper hands over a bag that turns out to have an animal inside:
“I went to the shop to get me a carrot
Oh dear, they gave me . . .
a parrot!”
Oh dear, look what I got.
Do I want that?
No, I do NOT.”
Nevertheless, on the child goes, and at each shop, another animal is added to the growing menagerie.
The tempo switches as the animals turn their attention to each other, starting with the most recent acquisition (a wriggly pup) chasing the one that came before it, a bear. The bear steps on the snake, that hisses at the goat, that butts the cat, and so on back to the beginning.
Children will be giggling over the improbable antics and the build-up of verses and beasts until a dance-filled happy ending satisfies all.
Helen Oxenbury is a titan in the field of children’s book illustrations. She, like Maurice Sendak and Mercer Mayer, regularly tops lists of most outstanding picture book artists. Indeed, all three share similarities in their style and senses of humor. Oxenbury has a well-honed instinct for knowing what kids will find funny and enjoyable, how to depict myriad shifting emotions of both kids and animals, and how to lay out her pictures to add interest and fun to the story. In this book, her watercolors stand out on white backgrounds lending them emphasis and providing context. As always, her characters reflect the matter-of-fact diversity of the real world.
Evaluation: Kids as young as two will love this fun book perfect for group storytimes. The repetition and rhythm of cumulative verse and songs make such books very popular with kids. This one in particular reminds me of the Passover Seder’s traditional closing song, “Chad Gadya” (“One Little Goat”). A wider audience might think of “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” Either way, the format promises great entertainment for young readers, who may want to celebrate the ending with a dance of their own.
Besides amusement, the book offers quite a lot of teaching opportunities, from identifying emotions expressed by the wildlife characters to building skills with memory, language, and rhyme.
“I went to the shop to get me a carrot
Oh dear, they gave me . . .
a parrot!”
Oh dear, look what I got.
Do I want that?
No, I do NOT.”
Nevertheless, on the child goes, and at each shop, another animal is added to the growing menagerie.
The tempo switches as the animals turn their attention to each other, starting with the most recent acquisition (a wriggly pup) chasing the one that came before it, a bear. The bear steps on the snake, that hisses at the goat, that butts the cat, and so on back to the beginning.
Children will be giggling over the improbable antics and the build-up of verses and beasts until a dance-filled happy ending satisfies all.
Helen Oxenbury is a titan in the field of children’s book illustrations. She, like Maurice Sendak and Mercer Mayer, regularly tops lists of most outstanding picture book artists. Indeed, all three share similarities in their style and senses of humor. Oxenbury has a well-honed instinct for knowing what kids will find funny and enjoyable, how to depict myriad shifting emotions of both kids and animals, and how to lay out her pictures to add interest and fun to the story. In this book, her watercolors stand out on white backgrounds lending them emphasis and providing context. As always, her characters reflect the matter-of-fact diversity of the real world.
Evaluation: Kids as young as two will love this fun book perfect for group storytimes. The repetition and rhythm of cumulative verse and songs make such books very popular with kids. This one in particular reminds me of the Passover Seder’s traditional closing song, “Chad Gadya” (“One Little Goat”). A wider audience might think of “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” Either way, the format promises great entertainment for young readers, who may want to celebrate the ending with a dance of their own.
Besides amusement, the book offers quite a lot of teaching opportunities, from identifying emotions expressed by the wildlife characters to building skills with memory, language, and rhyme.
October 12, 2025
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
A child goes to market to purchase a number of supplies, but at every turn is given the wrong item, in a ridiculously over-the-top fashion. After each trip, the refrain is repeated "Oh dear, look what I got! Do I want that? No, I do NOT!" After trailing through town followed b y a parrot, cat, goat, snake, and bear, he is given a puppy who causes a cascading catastrophe. Safely at home, all the vendors he visited show up with the items he actually wanted.
This follows the tradition of traditional tales like The House that Jack Built as well as Rosen and Oxenbury's We're Going on a Bear Hunt. Purposefully fanciful and silly, with formulaic language that is perfect for reciting aloud, this story bounces along with humor and comfortable predictability in the face of all of the surprises.
Oxenbury's artwork has a classic feel to it, with watercolor and pencil illustrations in warm, comforting hues. The animals are very realistic, and the shops depicted with spare details against the white background.
Fans of Rosen's titles like Book of Very Silly Poems or Book of Nonsense will find this right up their alley (with a side trip into a corner shop), and readers who love Oxenbury's illustrations in her Tom and Pippo series of Baby Beginning Board books will be glad that she has once again collaborated with Rosen.
Personally, I didn't like this one. What is the child wearing? Black tights? White shoes? A weird belt? A lot of the time, it looks like the kid has a double chin. And really? I go buy a carrot and you give me a parrot and I TAKE IT WITH ME? I was fairly literatl minded as a child and wouldn't have enjoyed this. That's just me. If you like silly books with repetition, this is the book for you, but I won't be saving it to read to my grandson.
A child goes to market to purchase a number of supplies, but at every turn is given the wrong item, in a ridiculously over-the-top fashion. After each trip, the refrain is repeated "Oh dear, look what I got! Do I want that? No, I do NOT!" After trailing through town followed b y a parrot, cat, goat, snake, and bear, he is given a puppy who causes a cascading catastrophe. Safely at home, all the vendors he visited show up with the items he actually wanted.
This follows the tradition of traditional tales like The House that Jack Built as well as Rosen and Oxenbury's We're Going on a Bear Hunt. Purposefully fanciful and silly, with formulaic language that is perfect for reciting aloud, this story bounces along with humor and comfortable predictability in the face of all of the surprises.
Oxenbury's artwork has a classic feel to it, with watercolor and pencil illustrations in warm, comforting hues. The animals are very realistic, and the shops depicted with spare details against the white background.
Fans of Rosen's titles like Book of Very Silly Poems or Book of Nonsense will find this right up their alley (with a side trip into a corner shop), and readers who love Oxenbury's illustrations in her Tom and Pippo series of Baby Beginning Board books will be glad that she has once again collaborated with Rosen.
Personally, I didn't like this one. What is the child wearing? Black tights? White shoes? A weird belt? A lot of the time, it looks like the kid has a double chin. And really? I go buy a carrot and you give me a parrot and I TAKE IT WITH ME? I was fairly literatl minded as a child and wouldn't have enjoyed this. That's just me. If you like silly books with repetition, this is the book for you, but I won't be saving it to read to my grandson.
December 6, 2025
Fans of Rosen and Oxenbury’s classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (1997) will be thrilled with this silly, new rhyming collaboration. A little boy with light-colored skin and vaguely old-fashioned clothes embarks on a shopping trip, only to be thwarted at each stop along his way. He asks for a carrot only to receive a lumpy, wrapped package containing a…parrot. At the next counter, he asks for a hat, but the brown paper parcel he’s handed reveals a …cat. This happens over and over, with the same answering refrain, “Oh dear, look what I got! Do I want that? No, I do NOT!” Finally he trudges home, followed by his chaotic menagerie, who proceed to wreck his house. Thankfully, the racially diverse group of shopkeepers who mixed up his parcels show up to save the day, bringing all the requested items and staying for a raucous party. Charming endpapers show the adults leaving, each paired with an animal. Oxenbury’s beautiful and familiar watercolor illustrations keep the focus on her colorful characters, with lots of white space and simple backdrops. Delicate light-gray lines frame certain text and picture panels in large boxes—always when the child enters the store—cueing us to guess which outrageous creature will replace the requested item (a bear instead of a chair!). With its large images, repeating motifs, and humorous situations, this one begs to be read aloud at storytime. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
August 24, 2025
Going to the store becomes an adventure in these pages.
A boy heads out shopping, but the stores aren't giving him what he expected to buy. A hat turns out to be a cat and so on. Soon, he has an entire parade of animals and nothing that he wanted, but the fun doesn't stop there.
Written in verse, this is an enjoyable read-aloud, which invites listeners to join in with the repeated text. The surmise is simple yet cute as the boy goes to the store to purchase a specific item and receives a surprise wrapped in brown paper, instead. It's a fun way to work with basic rhyming skills as readers will catch-on and try to figure out what rhymes with the article he's looking for. It flows well and fits nicely to the gentler tones of the illustrations. These images mix humor with seriousness in a delightful way and draw in.
While the book gives off classic flair and hints at fitting the enjoyed category for many years to come, it takes an interesting and surprising twist toward the end, which stuttered against the flow. It took a pause as it wasn't clear what set the actions off, but only for a brief moment. Then, the joyful atmosphere beams through. These last moments add a sense of joy and community but also stuttered against the flow to create a suddenness that almost confused. But it only takes a second to smile and want to join right in with the group. The ending leaves room for thought in a clever way to perfectly round things off.
A boy heads out shopping, but the stores aren't giving him what he expected to buy. A hat turns out to be a cat and so on. Soon, he has an entire parade of animals and nothing that he wanted, but the fun doesn't stop there.
Written in verse, this is an enjoyable read-aloud, which invites listeners to join in with the repeated text. The surmise is simple yet cute as the boy goes to the store to purchase a specific item and receives a surprise wrapped in brown paper, instead. It's a fun way to work with basic rhyming skills as readers will catch-on and try to figure out what rhymes with the article he's looking for. It flows well and fits nicely to the gentler tones of the illustrations. These images mix humor with seriousness in a delightful way and draw in.
While the book gives off classic flair and hints at fitting the enjoyed category for many years to come, it takes an interesting and surprising twist toward the end, which stuttered against the flow. It took a pause as it wasn't clear what set the actions off, but only for a brief moment. Then, the joyful atmosphere beams through. These last moments add a sense of joy and community but also stuttered against the flow to create a suddenness that almost confused. But it only takes a second to smile and want to join right in with the group. The ending leaves room for thought in a clever way to perfectly round things off.
February 23, 2026
A great read along or would make a great book for a classroom. It begins with a small boy going to the shop to get a carrot. The shop owner does not give the boy a carrot, but he brings him a bundle wrapped and tied in brown paper with a tail sticking out of the end. Have your little one guess something that rhymes with carrot….yes, a parrot! The look on the boy’s face is shock, and the poor bird looks sad as the boy says “Oh dear, look what I got! Do I want that? No, I do NOT!” The boy then travels to another shop with the parrot flying behind him. This time the boy asks for a hat. Guess what? The shop owner comes out with a brown bundle tied with string and sticking out at the end is a black tail with white on the end. Do you think that is the hat the boy wants?
I loved how this book continues on in this fashion. The boy asks each different shop owner for something different as each shop owner giving the boy something besides what the boy wanted yet the item they give him rhymes with what he originally wanted. The rhyming and the repetitive phrasing are fun and will have your child helping you read this book. As the book concludes, it’s a cute ending and everyone is happy. I also enjoyed the colorful illustrations that did not take away from the story. The facial expressions are wonderful and the animals are cute. This is a must read for little ones. 5++ stars
I loved how this book continues on in this fashion. The boy asks each different shop owner for something different as each shop owner giving the boy something besides what the boy wanted yet the item they give him rhymes with what he originally wanted. The rhyming and the repetitive phrasing are fun and will have your child helping you read this book. As the book concludes, it’s a cute ending and everyone is happy. I also enjoyed the colorful illustrations that did not take away from the story. The facial expressions are wonderful and the animals are cute. This is a must read for little ones. 5++ stars
January 24, 2026
We've waited over 35 years for the esteemed team of Rosen and Oxenbury to give us more like, "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Michael Rosen. It was worth the wait. This deceptively simple story begins in a bit of a spin-off of Jack and the Beanstalk as a young lad heads for market to buy a carrot and instead is given a parrot! When he returns later to buy a hat and a coat, he receives instead a cat and a goat. But he doesn't learn his lesson because each time he returns, he receives another animal, to which he quips, "Do I want this? No, I do not!"
Finally he's given a puppy who starts a chain of events that discourages all the other animals, but ends well in a party attended by the grocer, milliner, etc and all the animals. Children will read along with the refrain, "Do I want this? No, I do not!" or respond to the teachers, "Do I want this?" with the proper response.
Oxenbury's delight palette of soft pastels create realistic characters all set on a cream background, establishing the perfect tone for the cumulative predictable tale.
Finally he's given a puppy who starts a chain of events that discourages all the other animals, but ends well in a party attended by the grocer, milliner, etc and all the animals. Children will read along with the refrain, "Do I want this? No, I do not!" or respond to the teachers, "Do I want this?" with the proper response.
Oxenbury's delight palette of soft pastels create realistic characters all set on a cream background, establishing the perfect tone for the cumulative predictable tale.
September 28, 2025
Our Review...
From the instantly recognisable creators of We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, comes a new instant classic picture story book.
Each visit to the shop brings an animal surprise in this playful rhyming story. Young readers will love joining in the rhyming and guessing what comes next in this hilarious picture book
With the perfect balance of Michael Rosen’s rhyming text paired with the beautiful unique illustration by Helen Oxenbury, Oh Dear, Look What I Got! Is a timeless story that is sure to be read aloud many times.
I went to the shop to get me a coat.
Oh dear. They gave me… a goat!
Oh dear, look what I got!
Do I want that?
No I do not!
Review by Jess R @ Great Escape Books
From the instantly recognisable creators of We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, comes a new instant classic picture story book.
Each visit to the shop brings an animal surprise in this playful rhyming story. Young readers will love joining in the rhyming and guessing what comes next in this hilarious picture book
With the perfect balance of Michael Rosen’s rhyming text paired with the beautiful unique illustration by Helen Oxenbury, Oh Dear, Look What I Got! Is a timeless story that is sure to be read aloud many times.
I went to the shop to get me a coat.
Oh dear. They gave me… a goat!
Oh dear, look what I got!
Do I want that?
No I do not!
Review by Jess R @ Great Escape Books
October 8, 2025
A boy goes to different shops to pick up some items, but he is given an animal at each place. So he gets a parrot instead of a carrot, a hat instead of a cat. It goes on and on until he gets a pup instead of a cup and then he is stuck with a chaotic mess. Fortunately, it all works out in the end. This is a delightful picture book with humorous repetitive rhyming and cozy illustrations. The story begins with a soft soothing pace with the tension slowly mounting until the animals react to being in the same space together. The story ends nicely when the shopkeepers arrive with the correct orders and everyone celebrates. It's wonderful to see another Rosen and Oxenbury picture book. A must-read story for little ones that will be a lot of fun to read and share!
November 16, 2025
Oh my gosh do I adore this book. It is so much fun. The premise is so simple and silly, and yet perfect for a read aloud. A little child goes to the store to get something, but oh dear, they give him something else.
Michael Rosen’s text is repetitive, rhyming and uses page turns so well. This is fun to read aloud and pause before you turn to let the kids guess what accidental animal the child is going to get next. The repetitive text also lends itself so well to encouraging re-reads and pre-literacy skills. Helen Oxenbury’s gentle, expressive illustrations are just the icing on the cake while offering little clues to help predict what’s coming.
A clever, fun read aloud for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
Michael Rosen’s text is repetitive, rhyming and uses page turns so well. This is fun to read aloud and pause before you turn to let the kids guess what accidental animal the child is going to get next. The repetitive text also lends itself so well to encouraging re-reads and pre-literacy skills. Helen Oxenbury’s gentle, expressive illustrations are just the icing on the cake while offering little clues to help predict what’s coming.
A clever, fun read aloud for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
December 16, 2025
No bear hunt this time from Rosen and Oxenbury, but another laugh-out-loud cumulative tale following a boy who's going out shopping. What he doesn't get is what he wants! Every time he asks for something, he does not get it, but an animal that rhymes with what he's asks for! As kids listen, or read themselves, they'll soon want to guess what's coming next. It's hilarious, and Oxenbury's illustrations fill the pages with hilarious expressions, settings, and animal antics. "I went to the shop/to get me a hat. Oh dear, they gave me . . . (turn the page) Can you guess? It's a book, simple in format, and full of lots of laughs!
First published by Walker Books; first US edition by Candlewick Press, to whom I thank for my copy!
First published by Walker Books; first US edition by Candlewick Press, to whom I thank for my copy!
August 1, 2025
A rhyming picture book about a boy who sets out in search of the things he wants—only to keep receiving animals instead. With its playful verse and whimsical illustrations set in a delightfully medieval-meets-modern world, this book is a fun read-aloud for the youngest of readers.
The premise starts off strong—the mix-ups between food and animals are cute and silly—but once the boy receives a puppy, the story veers off course. The ending feels a bit unclear, leaving readers wondering what exactly is happening. Charming in places, but ultimately not quite as memorable or cohesive as We're Going on a Bear Hunt.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
The premise starts off strong—the mix-ups between food and animals are cute and silly—but once the boy receives a puppy, the story veers off course. The ending feels a bit unclear, leaving readers wondering what exactly is happening. Charming in places, but ultimately not quite as memorable or cohesive as We're Going on a Bear Hunt.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
October 4, 2025
A young child heads to the store in search of a carrot but instead receives... a parrot! And so it continues until there is quite a menagerie of unwanted animals that ride along on the quest. Surely someone must want all of these adorable critters!
A fun and lovely book that should entice giggles from little ones. Helen Oxenbury's illustrations are fun though the animals look so sad when they are told they aren't wanted. I also like the way that her drawings manage to escape the frames on the page.
What a great story time book! And be sure to peek under the dust jacket - the cover of the book is delightfully different.
A fun and lovely book that should entice giggles from little ones. Helen Oxenbury's illustrations are fun though the animals look so sad when they are told they aren't wanted. I also like the way that her drawings manage to escape the frames on the page.
What a great story time book! And be sure to peek under the dust jacket - the cover of the book is delightfully different.
December 25, 2025
5/5 Stars! Oh, boy, oh boy, they gave him a zoo! What ever will he do? Lots of humor here in both the illustrations and story, which teaches rhymes! I like the mini guessing game of figuring out what is in each package each time the boy goes to the store. I also like imagining the neighborhood shopkeepers canoodling together to cause a ruckus for this boy. Maybe he is always causing a ruckus for them, so they have to pay him back! I commend the illustrator, Helen Oxenbury, for the beautiful hand drawn illustrations, and the cute characterization and expressions given to the many different characters! Delightfully fun read!
January 29, 2026
Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Michael Rosen's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt holds a special place in my heart. It was the book that I learned how to do read-alouds with kids. So I was excited to see him publish a new story that many will come to love too.
In the same tradition as bear hunt, this new book is a fun read-aloud that will inspire many giggles. It's a shopping journey that goes astray via a series of misheard misunderstandings. I can already hear the chorus of young voices chiming in on parts of the story that get repeated.
Thank you @Candlewickpress for the gifted copy!
Michael Rosen's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt holds a special place in my heart. It was the book that I learned how to do read-alouds with kids. So I was excited to see him publish a new story that many will come to love too.
In the same tradition as bear hunt, this new book is a fun read-aloud that will inspire many giggles. It's a shopping journey that goes astray via a series of misheard misunderstandings. I can already hear the chorus of young voices chiming in on parts of the story that get repeated.
Thank you @Candlewickpress for the gifted copy!
October 1, 2025
Repetitive stanzas with a bit of rhyme take the youngster on a shopping trip. Every time he searches for an item, he is given something different. And he does NOT want that! Alas, he seems stuck with critters he doesn't want until.....
He gets a good item and all seems fine.
I love the illustrations, simple text, and bit of brown paper wrapping of parcels. A delightful book. The teaming of author Michael Rosen and illustrator Helen Oxenbury is perfect.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
He gets a good item and all seems fine.
I love the illustrations, simple text, and bit of brown paper wrapping of parcels. A delightful book. The teaming of author Michael Rosen and illustrator Helen Oxenbury is perfect.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
December 15, 2025
This is such a delightful read. The illustrations are just wonderful! We're Going on a Bear Hunt is still my favorite. It is lovely seeing Michael Rosen and Helen Oxbury back together in writing this story! <3
October 12, 2025
This is an example of a picture book that rhymes where it works! When sharing it in storytime, you can anticipate the next page...thinking of an animal that rhymes with the word the boy is looking for. Clever, fun, and just brought a smile. Feels like a classic in all the good ways. Plus the Oxenbury illustrations are top notch (as usual).
Themes: animals, humor, stories that rhyme
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2025
Themes: animals, humor, stories that rhyme
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2025
November 30, 2025
A delightful addition tot he work of this stalwart team. A cumulative tale with a strong rhythm, wonderful predictable opportunities and laugh out loud outcomes as a shopping trip results in an accumulation of inappropriate and outrageous packages. Strong use of white space, framing and cameos ensure variation as each page is turned and the key moments are starkly portrayed.
Wonderful fun and an excellent read-aloud
Wonderful fun and an excellent read-aloud
December 4, 2025
Oh those poor, unwanted animals!
As the repetition and rhythm of the book get the reader chanting along and anticipating the next animal surprise, the expressively illustrated animals touch the reader's heart. The story follows a young shopper who always gets an animal whose name rhymes with the desired item until the shopkeepers sheepishly arrive to remedy the problem. Fans of We're Going on a Bear Hunt will be pleased with this new offering from the well-known team.
As the repetition and rhythm of the book get the reader chanting along and anticipating the next animal surprise, the expressively illustrated animals touch the reader's heart. The story follows a young shopper who always gets an animal whose name rhymes with the desired item until the shopkeepers sheepishly arrive to remedy the problem. Fans of We're Going on a Bear Hunt will be pleased with this new offering from the well-known team.
September 13, 2025
A much anticipated new collaboration from award-winning duo of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury of We're Going on a Bear Hunt fame. A young child sets out for the shops to get various needed items. But each time they're handed a different animal that they do not want.
Rhythm and repetitive text is sure to make this a story time hit. Highly recommended.
Rhythm and repetitive text is sure to make this a story time hit. Highly recommended.
September 25, 2025
Good English humor! After hearing this story once I can hear preschoolers chiming in with the rhyming word that the child got instead of what he asked for. A fun story illustrated with watercolors and pencil by one of my long time favorite illustrators. All of the white space allows on to focus on parade of characters.
Read
October 3, 2025This is a solid storytime book for many presenters (Katie isn't on here, but this is a Katie book). I don't think it is quite my personal style, but it has the right rhythm, repetition, and rhyme practice for most presenters. I'll probably use this in the early literacy workshop I'm co-leading as a more current book example for this trope.
October 8, 2025
One of my favorite author/illustrator combinations--Rosen and Oxenbury!
A boy goes shopping and does not get what he requests. Instead of a carrot, he's give a parrot. Rhyming words could lead to some predition, especially if listeners see the cover with the boy leading all these critters. As with excellent picture books, the pictures tell much of the story with additional humor.
A boy goes shopping and does not get what he requests. Instead of a carrot, he's give a parrot. Rhyming words could lead to some predition, especially if listeners see the cover with the boy leading all these critters. As with excellent picture books, the pictures tell much of the story with additional humor.
January 10, 2026
Michael Rosen and illustrator Helen Oxenbury, creators of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt team up for a boy to go on a shopping trip and getting a sound alike managerie of animals he does NOT WANT! This will become a delightful, hilarious, comfortably predictable and a new favorite read for young readers and their families.
January 13, 2026
As a hapless boy goes from shop to shop, requesting a series of perfectly reasonable items--a hat, a coat, a cake, a chair--he finds himself thwarted at every turn, amassing instead a growing menagerie of animals who happily follow him on his errands. It’s not until he finally asks for a cup that he’s proffered a wriggly creature that solves his dilemma...or does it?"--
February 4, 2026
I love this for the ease of reading to a group - larger book size, and spare illustrations. Yes, its a good read aloud for younger children because it offers repetitive sentences and recognizable animals. But the ending really left much to be desired. The expressions of my group were kind of confused... Same.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews