We’re Going On A Bear Hunt.

ROSEN, Michael; Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.

Item Number: 63010

New York: McElderry Books, 1989.

First American edition of this modern children’s classic. Oblong quarto, original illustrated glossy boards. Inscribed by Michael Rosen, “Hi Wilbur Daniel hey what if we don’t go on a bear hunt, huh? Michael Rosen.” Also signed by the illustrator, “To Wilbur Daniel from Helen Oxenbury 20.11.89.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. First editions signed are rare.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt was adapted from an American folk song. Rosen, who heard the song, incorporated it in his poetry shows and subsequently wrote the book based upon it. It went on to win the overall Nestlé Smarties Book Prize in 1989 and also won the 0–5 years category. In 1989 it was an 'Honor Book' in the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards. The book also won the 'School Library Journal Best Book of the Year' and the 'Mainichi Newspapers Japanese Picture Book Award, Outstanding Picture Book from Abroad' award. Since publication, the book has sold more than 9 million copies. It has won numerous awards and was the subject of a Guinness World Record for "Largest Reading Lesson" with a book-reading attended by 1,500 children, and an additional 30,000 listeners online, in 2014.