To hate We’re Going On A Bear Hunt

[Shabbalabadingdong]

Just that really, I HATE it. I know it’s a children’s classic but whenever DD picks it to read my heart sinks. It’s so repetitive (which I get is the point) and annoying. It’s a metaphor for something, god knows what. The dad is just massively irresponsible, I’m surprised he doesn’t take them trudging across railway lines and MOD firing ranges. It’s just bollocks.

I think this is highly likely - I believe Judith Kerr had to give up a much loved job as a writer at the BBC to be a sahp- because them was the times.
If you read her other books (when Hitler stole Pink Rabbit and the adult book A small person far a way) she had a great deal of trauma in her personal life - the adult book describes visiting her mother who has over dosed and is not expected to live - her father also committed suicide.

She initially wrote the Tiger came to tea for her daughter- and was later persuaded to publish it… I see it as a quiet protest about what her life had become.. while daddy gets to be all important - and drink his beer.

The prose is super simple but can really engage children at a certain point…
and yes I have given this one too much thought!

I think when Judith Kerr wrote Tiger Who Came to Tea she WAS stuck at home doing the childcare and housework – if it’s stereotyped it’s because that was her life and a lot of women’s lives. No wonder the mum looks so despairing and then so happy at the trip out for sausages and chips and ice cream.

I love the book and Judith Kerr; I remember seeing an interview with her where she was very frank about how boring it is, looking after small children. She used to be last one standing at her publisher’s annual party, apparently.

I love Bear Hunt too. I’d take it any day over Julia Donaldson. But our best books are I Am Bat and anything by Emily Gravett.

In New Zealand we have some really awesome children's books. Maybe look some of those up on Amazon. I never got unstood the popularity of a lot of children's books. My youngest got obsessed with Where the Wild Things Are. Which wasn't too bad.

For the PP who thought that Michael Rosen must have been exceptionally well connected to have it published - the truth is stranger than it first seems.

Before his author years got going, he achieved an entry level post writing and producing programmes at the BBC (that only very few people were awarded). He didn't progress into any other areas, applying and it looking promising, but then project directors u-turning with 'Ah, regretfully, we can't...' and eventually being encouraged to 'go freelance' (i.e. no employment).

The Observer included his name among others, in an exclusive in 1985, allegedly as being someone with a marked file with a sign meaning 'too left wing' to go further: MI5 secretly controls hiring firing BBC staff, Observer 18 August 1985 | Clarion

When DD's were small we were extremely lucky to receive some Australian children's books. Sorry we don't know anyone in New Zealand so haven't had any. Possum Magic is one of my absolute favourites. We did try and return the favour and send the video of The Mousehole Cat. Any recommendations for my 3 year old DGC and I'll look them up on Amazon - thank you

At least his engine was nice and clean… 😜

Ah Shirley Hughes was a legend!

I tried to order “Dogger” online once, but kept getting blocked by the family filters!

OK… I’ve just got tea everywhere laughing reading that! 🤣🤣🤣

Oh my goodness my little boy says this too, I worry about he’s going to fare once he gets to school he’s very sensitive 🫠

Don't worry. They all say that (apart from the son of the poster who said the bear was sad because he wanted to eat the children 🤣).

Yabvvu

i cannot BEAR the stupid bloody bear hunt. it's so middle class and patronising says me. and the "we" grates. ooooh. "we". "we all love each other and are going to be middle class and wear boden boots and go on a romp looking for a bloody bear". "seeing as we paid the school fees and can't afford to go to legoland this weekend"

honestly it REALLY pisses me off. i work in a primary school and i refuse to read it. thankfully i've never had it requested. give me a Miffy book every time.

@SweetnsourNZ my DS loves books by Sally Sutton, who I think is from NZ? There's one about a tractor, one about building a school and another about demolition. Lovely bright illustrations too.

Any others you recommend?

. . .And a big juicy pear. . .

He might like The Little Yellow Digger series too, they were also popular. Hairy McLary from Donaldsons Dairy which features dogs is also popular here. The real thing I like about a lot of New Zealand children's books is the illustrations.

I’m also not a fan. I’ve never really ‘got it’! Think it’s pretty boring as kids books go and very repetitive with nothing much happening. DS is very very into trains and Thomas the tank which I am quite grateful for because there are hundreds of stories where quite a lot happens!!

Agree it’s boring. Julia Donaldson is a master class in entertaining stories that teach your children too.

For me though the worst stage was Diary of a wimpy kid. Ds was about 7 and still liked to be read too on a night. So so so dull.

Books my boys like were The Little Yellow Digger series, Harry McLary From Donaldsons Dairy books, Watercress Tuna And The Children of Champion Strret, The Lion in the Meadow. Are We There Yet and many more. If you google New Zealand children's books you will find some great titles. Margaret Mahy and Joy Cowley are very popular authors. My youngest is 19 now so don't know what's in atm.

Also the Greedy Cat books.

My 4th son loved Where the Wild Things Are and could recite the whole book word for word at 2.

I loved it as a kid, hate it now though.

You must watch Michael Rosen read it on YouTube (watch out for the swearing version!).

This is a book that cries out for being performed. It was my absolute favourite to stand up and act out with my Reception classes in the proper style of Rosen.

I still read it like this with my own 2 acting everything out. You have to swish your arms for ‘swishy swashy’! Even better is going on a walk to act out bits, we love a rainy school run in wellies as we cross a park behind our house, so have grass, mud and puddles sorted!

Don’t over think it and have some fun! Children adore this classic.

…what? Do only middle class people go on walks? What’s school fees got to do with it? And Boden? Are you trying to get featured in Mumsnet Madness?

I didn’t like it either OP and actually neither did DC.

they did, however, love the frikkin ’ Mister Men which are the dullest collection of books known to man (imho).