Job interview - best book to read to preschoolers?

[MamOfTwo]

I have a job interview and have to take a book I would read to pre-schoolers. I was thinking "We're going on a bear hunt", "The Gruffalo", "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", or "Dear Zoo" (too babyish?). There are just too many books to choose from! What would you pick?

Bear hunt.

Thank you! Bear Hunt is top of my list, I think.

My daughter likes "Little Rabbit Foo Foo" by Michael Rosin.

Its not particularly educational though, but its good fun. Prehaps it would be risky to use at interview.

Many of the books you have suggested are too obvious and likely that pre schoolers with reasonably engaged parents would already know these stories. I think you need to think how you would use these stories to make it intersting to the children.

What job are you going for? The Hungry Catapillar has more educational value. The pre schoolers can learn counting and the days of the week as well as the life cycle of the butterfly. Prehaps they could use playdough to make catapillars.

Both mine love little lumpty. It's a good story and has lots of scope for discussion, alternative rescues etc.

It's the only book my 3 and 2 year olds request and talk about all the time.

I've not read the bear hunt, will have to look for it.

some dogs do

It is a library job so a book I would read at a storytime session.

Handa's surprise

A storytime session we once went to at the library used My Cat Likes To Hide In Boxes (obviously there were others, but that's the one that's stuck in my head years later). It's got a good rhyming structure, entertaining pictures and the cats appeal to children at that age.

Going on a Bear Hunt - there's a clip on Youtube of Michael Rosen reading it. It's hilarious. And you could argue that it teaches prepositions, the children could be encouraged to join in the actions, it could inspire all kinds of craft projects and adaptations, talking about feelings (fear) etc.

Once upon a Time or Pirate Pete both by Nick Sharratt. They're books where the children can decide what happens next. I've used them many times with preschools and Key Stage 1 and they might make you stand out a bit from everyone else who will be using Bear Hunt:-)

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have some thinking to do...!

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/074453643X

Walking through the jungle

Hairy Maclairy is our preschool favourite , funny and rhymes so easy to read well.

I would also suggest something a bit different.. here are some of our favourites

the tiger that came to tea

peace at last

funnybones

the fish who could wish

winnie the witch

burgular bill

suddenly

hairy mclary

the golden egg

or keeping with julia donaldson tabby mctat, the troll, smartest giant in town are also good but less well known.

sorry we read ALOT probably have over 250 kids books!

I would go for The Night Pirates. It's fun to read and very engaging for children.

Could also look at Shark in the Park by Nick Sharrett, it is a good one to get children joining in with.

walking through the jungle is great!

the tiger that came to tea
giraffes can dance
stick man

Penguin by Polly Dunbar
Not Now Bernard (the best book for preschoolers ever according to 3 boys in my house!)
Some Dogs Do or the Eddie and Freddie books by Jez thingy (My Friend Bear etc?)

Oh Hairy Mclary is fabulous!

Thank you for all the suggestions After much thinking, I think I am going to go for The Tiger Who Came To Tea...

Hairy McLary are fab, Jumblebum is much loved in our nursery. Alien love Underpants is another fabulous one.

Personal preference but I despise the tiger who came to tea. I've never liked it.

The aliens are coming!

We love Hairy MClary too but I always find it a bit of a tongue-twisting read - not good in an interview situation!

But then if you get the pronunciations and pace right, it will be amazing!

A classic, or are you up on modern children's fiction? Interview head on!
Is it worth taking one of each?