Some books are especially powerful because they slow students down and invite them to think about what comes next. Oh Dear!, Look What I Got from the creators of the beloved We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, is one of those deceptively simple books that works beautifully as a teaching tool — particularly for sequencing, rhyme, and prediction.
At first glance, this is a lighthearted, interactive story perfect for young readers. But when used intentionally, it becomes an excellent way to help students practice following events in order, noticing rhyming patterns, and anticipating what might happen next.
In the story, readers move through a series of familiar settings, each one building on the last. With every page turn, students are encouraged to pause, listen closely, and join in — making the reading experience active rather than passive.
The Good
This book shines as a sequencing and rhyme-based read-aloud. Its predictable structure makes it easy for students to recognize patterns and understand that stories follow a clear order.
Teachers and librarians can naturally pause to ask:
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What just happened?
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What do you think comes next?
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What words sound the same?
These moments support both phonological awareness and early narrative skills.
In addition, Oh Dear! supports:
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Rhyming and sound recognition
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Oral language development
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Listening comprehension
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Prediction and recall
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Understanding beginning, middle, and end
Students who already love We’re Going on a Bear Hunt will feel immediately comfortable with the familiar style and rhythm.
The Not-So-Good (From a School Librarian Lens)
This book is intentionally simple and doesn’t offer a deep or complex plot. It’s not meant for extended written responses or long discussions.
However, that simplicity is what makes it such an effective early literacy tool, especially for students who are just learning to recognize rhyme, repetition, and story structure.
Classroom & Library Connections
Oh Dear! works especially well when paired with hands-on and interactive activities:
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Stop before page turns and ask, “What comes next?”
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Have students listen for and repeat rhyming words
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Retell the story using sequencing cards
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Act out the story using movement and sound effects
Because of its repetitive structure and strong rhythm, this book is also perfect for:
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Felt board stories
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Magnet board storytelling
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Interactive storytime centers
Compare & Contrast: An Author Study Opportunity
This book is an excellent companion to We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, making it a strong choice for a compare-and-contrast lesson or author study.
Students can explore:
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How both stories use repetition and rhythm
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Similarities in structure and pacing
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Differences in setting, characters, and tone
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How illustrations support the text in each book
Because We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is also a staple in children’s music and movement, students may already know it as a chant or song. That familiarity helps them quickly recognize patterns and apply those same ideas when reading Oh Dear!.
About the Author (Author Study Appeal)
Michael Rosen, the author of Oh Dear! and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, is one of the most influential children’s authors in the UK and served as the UK Children’s Laureate. He is especially known for writing books that are meant to be read aloud, chanted, and performed, not just read silently.
This performance-based approach is one reason his books work so well in classrooms, music lessons, and storytime settings — and why they lend themselves so easily to movement, song, and interactive storytelling.
Extension Idea: Create Your Own “Oh Dear!” Story
Because the structure is so clear, this book makes a fantastic mentor text.
As a class, students can:
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Brainstorm new settings or animals
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Work together to create simple rhyming lines
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Illustrate each page
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Turn the final product into a class book, felt board story, or magnet story
This activity reinforces sequencing, rhyme, collaboration, and creative confidence.
Overall
Oh Dear! is a simple but highly effective read-aloud that supports multiple early literacy skills at once. Beneath its playful surface, it offers rich opportunities to teach sequencing, rhyme, prediction, and story comparison.
For teachers and librarians looking for a joyful, interactive book that invites participation and creativity — and pairs well with a classic favorite — this is an excellent addition to the collection.
Recommended Grade Levels
PreK–1
(Especially effective for whole-group read-alouds, storytime, and early literacy instruction.)
Why Your Students Will Love It
Students love joining in, hearing the rhymes, predicting what comes next, and recognizing patterns they already know from We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Many will be eager to act it out, sing it, or create their own version — turning reading into a shared, joyful experience
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