Image © 1989 Helen Oxenbury.
Image © 1989 Helen Oxenbury.

Liverpool is going on a Bear Hunt!

SHHH! There are lots of bears coming to Liverpool and Liverpool City Council is looking for places to hide them!

As part of the city’s Year of Reading, Liverpool City Council and its #LiverpoolReads partners have teamed up with publishers Walker Books to set up a Bear Hunt, inspired by the children’s classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.

And now the council needs businesses to come forward to be hiding places for the bears.

Throughout August, businesses across the city are being asked to display cut-outs of the book’s famous bear, as drawn by illustrator Helen Oxenbury, for youngsters to find throughout the summer holidays.

Businesses that would like to join in the fun should complete the form on the Bear Hunt’s webpage – www.liverpoolyearofreading.co.uk – to be sent a resource pack.

Businesses taking part will be listed on the webpage and also on the #LiverpoolReads Facebook page.

Youngsters who spot ten bears can then get an e-certificate to mark their achievement.

When children spot a bear, a grown-up will need to take a photo of them with the ursine interloper. When they have photographs of themselves with bears in ten different places they will then need to complete the form on www.liverpoolyearofreading.co.uk to receive their certificate.

Bear spots can also be shared on social media using #LiverpoolBearHunt to help other bear spotters in their quest.

Bear spotting is now open and will continue until 31 August.

Children can apply for their certificates until 12 September.

#LiverpoolReads is running throughout 2020 and aims to get everyone in the city picking up a book for fun.

Cllr Barbara Murray, cabinet member for education, employment and skills and #LiverpoolReads lead, said: “As 2020 is Liverpool’s Year of Reading we wanted to do something special for families over the summer holidays despite the restrictions that remain in place.

“We are really lucky to have the support of Michael Rosen the author of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Walker Books UK for a Liverpool Bear Hunt. Special thanks to them.

“Stay alert has a whole new meaning at the moment. See if you can spot bears everywhere across the city, spot ten and get a certificate. We will be announcing other activities related to the Liverpool Bear Hunt throughout August. Stay safe and have some fun!”

Jane Winterbotham, publishing director, Walker Books, said: “We’re delighted that Liverpool will be hosting Michael and Helen’s Bear Hunt now that lockdown has ended.

“We’re sure that the bear will get a warm Liverpool welcome and we know that he is happy to be lending a helping paw to Liverpool’s Year of Reading.

“Best of luck with spotting – he’s popping up all across the city so you need to find him everywhere he goes!”

Liverpool Waterfront