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Books Like We're Going on a Bear Hunt

A personal project — every book hand-picked by a London dad 🇬🇧

These books build on the movement, repeated language, sound effects, and sudden chase that make We’re Going on a Bear Hunt unusually physical to read aloud.

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12 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

For another participatory read, prioritise repetition and actions over subject matter. If the cave and chase were too intense, choose the same rhythmic structure with gentler stakes; if they were the highlight, move toward a fuller adventure.

Quick comparison

6 varied places to start. Compare the age, format, and themes, then read the notes or check current UK editions.

Alfie Gets in First
Shirley Hughes · Picture Book · ages 3–5 · family and humour
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Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
Martin Waddell · Picture Book · ages 2–5 · family and kindness
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Stick Man
Julia Donaldson · Picture Book · ages 3–6 · family and adventure
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Beatrix Potter · Picture Book · ages 2–6 · adventure and family
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Avocado Baby
John Burningham · Picture Book · ages 2–5 · humour and family
Check priceRead notes
Blown Away
Rob Biddulph · Picture Book · ages 3–6 · adventure and friendship
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Alfie Gets in First book cover
Alfie Gets in First
Shirley Hughes
Ages 3–5
Alfie Gets in First
Shirley Hughes
Alfie Gets in First by Shirley Hughes is a picture book for children aged 3 to 5. A useful choice for reading about family, humour and courage.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of family and courage and overlapping age guidance for 3–5.
Picture Book1981
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Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? book cover
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
Martin Waddell
Ages 2–5
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
Martin Waddell · Barbara Firth
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?, a picture book by Martin Waddell, is selected for children aged 2 to 5. It is illustrated by Barbara Firth. Compare it with other books exploring family, kindness and courage.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of family and courage and overlapping age guidance for 2–5.
Picture Book1988
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Stick Man book cover
Stick Man
Julia Donaldson
Ages 3–6
Stick Man
Julia Donaldson · Axel Scheffler
Stick Man is repeatedly mistaken for an ordinary stick and carried farther from his family tree.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of family and adventure and overlapping age guidance for 3–6.
Picture Book2008
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit book cover
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Beatrix Potter
Ages 2–6
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Beatrix Potter
Peter ignores his mother’s warning and enters Mr McGregor’s garden to eat vegetables.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of adventure and family and overlapping age guidance for 2–6.
Picture Book1902
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Avocado Baby book cover
Avocado Baby
John Burningham
Ages 2–5
Avocado Baby
John Burningham
Choose Avocado Baby by John Burningham for children aged 2 to 5. This picture book is shelved with books about humour and family.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of family and overlapping age guidance for 2–5.
Picture Book1982
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Blown Away book cover
Blown Away
Rob Biddulph
Ages 3–6
Blown Away
Rob Biddulph
Choose Blown Away by Rob Biddulph for children aged 3 to 6. This picture book is shelved with books about adventure and friendship.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of adventure and overlapping age guidance for 3–6.
Picture Book2014
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Clarice Bean, That's Me book cover
Clarice Bean, That's Me
Lauren Child
Ages 5–8
Clarice Bean, That's Me
Lauren Child
For readers interested in family, humour and imagination, compare Clarice Bean, That's Me by Lauren Child. It is a picture book for children aged 5 to 8.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of family and overlapping age guidance for 5–8.
Picture Book1999
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Elmer book cover
Elmer
David McKee
Ages 3–6
Elmer
David McKee
Elmer is a brightly patchworked elephant in a herd of ordinary grey elephants.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of courage and overlapping age guidance for 3–6.
Picture Book1989
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Five Minutes' Peace book cover
Five Minutes' Peace
Jill Murphy
Ages 3–6
Five Minutes' Peace
Jill Murphy
Five Minutes' Peace, a picture book by Jill Murphy, is selected for children aged 3 to 6. Compare it with other books exploring family and humour.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of family and overlapping age guidance for 3–6.
Picture Book1986
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Funnybones book cover
Funnybones
Janet Ahlberg
Ages 3–7
Funnybones
Janet Ahlberg · Allan Ahlberg
First published in 1980, Funnybones is a picture book by Janet Ahlberg for children aged 3 to 7. It is illustrated by Allan Ahlberg. Its themes include humour and adventure.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of adventure and overlapping age guidance for 3–7.
Picture Book1980
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Gorilla book cover
Gorilla
Anthony Browne
Ages 4–8
Gorilla
Anthony Browne
Gorilla, a picture book by Anthony Browne, is selected for children aged 4 to 8. Compare it with other books exploring family, imagination and wonder.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of family and overlapping age guidance for 4–8.
Picture Book1983
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Grandad's Island book cover
Grandad's Island
Benji Davies
Ages 4–7
Grandad's Island
Benji Davies
Grandad's Island, a picture book by Benji Davies, is selected for children aged 4 to 7. Compare it with other books exploring family and wonder.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of family and overlapping age guidance for 4–7.
Picture Book2015
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