We're Going on a Present Hunt - (We're Going on A . . .) by Goldie Hawk (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Sing along! A fun and festive reimagining of the classic American folk song, "We're Going on a Bear Hunt," made famous by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.

Three children are off on a hunt for the perfect Christmas present! But first they've got to get through the spiky Christmas trees, a herd of hungry reindeer, some noisy carol singers, and a very busy toy store! But there are SO MANY toys . . . will they ever find the perfect present? This joyful stocking stuffer has zingy neon ink on the cover and throughout, and is filled with cute characters and Christmas surprises! Repeated phrases and sound words make this an interactive picture book, great for sharing with the whole family at Christmas.

Features a free "Stories Aloud" audiobook and singalong-- just scan the QR code and follow along!

Also in this series: We're Going On an Egg Hunt.

Review Quotes

In this reimagining of the folk song "We're Going on a Bear Hunt," three young friends decide to go on a present hunt to find a good Christmas gift for someone very special to them. They are all bundled up and set out on a beautiful night to hunt for this gift. As they hunt, they see spiky Christmas trees. They can't go over them. They can't go under them. They can't go around them. They've got to go through them. The three friends get through the trees, but face additional encounters during their hunt. Can they find the present that they are hunting for and give it to that special someone by Christmas? Hawk uses repetitive rhyme, a proven technique to build reading skills for emerging readers, in this delightful and wonderfully illustrated book. Readers can listen to an audio recording of the book by scanning a QR code. The audio reading uses children's voices, complete with sound effects and original music.

VERDICT Highly recommend. Young children will enjoy reading and listening to this book.

--Laura Ellis, School Library Journal

A trio-depicted with varied skin tones and clad in cheery winter hats-head out on a "present hunt" in the creators' Christmastime rendition of "We're Going on a Bear Hunt." Opening with the titular declaration, Hawk writes, "We're going to find a good one./ What a beautiful night!/ We're not scared." Obstacles begin presenting themselves immediately, and in each instance, the group find their efforts to go over, under, or around consistently thwarted, leaving them to travel "through" Christmas trees ("Rustle rustle!"), reindeer ("Gobble- munch!"), and carolers ("Fa-la-la!"). Arrival at a toy store brings the jolly search to its completion, and the lighthearted return journey concludes with a fitting show of generosity. Chunky snow falls throughout Rozelaar's unlined, festive artwork, which has a contemporary, pop-style feel. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)--Publishers Weekly

Delightful and wonderfully illustrated... Highly recommend. Young children will enjoy reading and listening to this book.--Laura Ellis, School Library Journal

Chunky snow falls throughout Rozelaar's unlined, festive artwork, which has a contemporary, pop-style feel.--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Goldie Hawk is a children's book writer and editor whose books have been translated into 11 languages. She spent much of her childhood running wild on Wimbledon Common or with her nose in a book. These days, she spends her time researching and writing about all kinds of topics historical houses, nature, Greek myths, pumpkin hunts, alpine adventures, and more. She lives and works in London, England.

Angie Rozelaar was born into a big unruly family in Kent, England. Ever since she was little, all she ever wanted to do was to draw and paint and she still can't quite believe her luck that she's now allowed to do this all day and call it her "job." Apart from illustrating picture books, Angie works with companies around the world to create illustrations for greeting cards, games, toys, puzzles, calendars, and clothing. Angie and her family are now based in France, where they live in an old Normandy farmhouse alongside a growing menagerie of rescue animals, including cats, chickens, and donkeys.