Writer Michael Rosen, and illustrator Helen Oxenbury have reunited for their first new book, some 36 years after Bear Hunt became a children’s classic.
Oh Dear, Look What I Got! is a delightful rhyming tale about a child who goes to the shops and comes back with a series of animal surprises.
The book includes a series of animal surprises and Helen brought her rescue dog Bernie along while Michael brought a cat and a goat. (Image: Walker Books) Oxenbury, who lives in Hampstead, brought along her rescue dog Bernie to the Muswell Hill school on Monday. (September 8)
He inspired the dog in the book, which also includes a goat, a snake, a parrot a cat – and a cuddly bear.
Rosen, who lives nearby in Muswell Hill, managed to wrangle a goat and a cat, while Oxenbury had a parrot perched on her hand.
Oxenbury, who has won multiple awards for her books and illustrations has said of the new book: “The text is so original. It had a flavour of Dr Seuss, and I relished the prospect to work in a different way to enhance the funny text.”
While Rosen has said: “When I heard that Helen wanted to do the artwork for it, I was over the moon.
“I hope people of all ages will chant along with the book – learn it off by heart, even – and enjoy discovering the many stories that Helen tells with her pictures.”
Oh Dear, Look What I Got! is published in hardback by Walker Books on September 11.
To celebrate, Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury will be having a jolly party at the Well Walk puppet theatre in Hampstead.
