More than 35 years ago, Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury co-created the all-time classic storybook We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Now the author and illustrator have reunited for a second book; Oh Dear, Look What I Got! which comes out on September 11.
Illustrator Oxenbury, who lives in Hampstead, will bring along her rescue dog Bernie who was the inspiration for the dog in the book.
A goat, a snake, a parrot and a cat also feature in the fun rhyming story about a child’s trip to the shop, which sets a series of animal surprises in motion.
It opens with: I went to the shop to get me a carrot
Oh dear, they gave me…. a parrot!
Oh dear, look what I got!
Do I want that? No I do NOT!
The school’s year 1 and 2 pupils will be invited to guess which comes next and Rosen, who lives in Muswell Hill is looking forward to hearing their feedback.
Helen Oxenbury said: “I was drawn to the text because it’s 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.”
Michael Rosen added: “I wanted the words to have the rhythm and flavour of how people talk, with the added punch of rhyme.
“I also wanted to grab the mood of a child who’s a bit exasperated with what grown-ups do.
“When I heard that Helen wanted to do the artwork for it, I was over the moon. She has a wonderful expressive line that conveys mood and feeling, very much grounded in a place.
“She does all that, while carefully popping in detail, cameos that we might miss on a first reading or even on a second reading. It’s as if there’s always more to find and think about.
“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.”
Both Michael and Helen are globally successful authors who have each published 100 plus books and won multiple awards for their work.
Deirdre McDermott Picture Book Publisher at Walker Books said: “Oh Dear, Look What I Got! truly consolidates them as the perfect picture book partnership.
“Only their second ever book together, it is destined to become another definitive readaloud story book classic that is sure to be read and loved by generations of children to come.”
Oh Dear, Look What I Got! is published by Walker Books on September 11.
