The exhibition currently at the Harley Gallery, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Other Adventures until early January next year features over 100 pieces of Helen Oxenbury’s work. There are well-known illustrations from We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, as well as the early version of this bestselling book which takes a very different approach of an actual ‘bear hunt’. It was Helen who suggested that it might work better if it was a family out on an adventure. Opposite this in the gallery is Helen’s latest book with Michael Rosen called Oh Dear! Look What I Got which echoes their previous book together with it’s rhyme and warmth.
There is also work from some of Helen’s less well known and earlier books including The Quangle Wangle’s Hat artwork from the 1960’s and one of Helen’s own favourites Big Mama Makes the World, written by Phyllis Root, published by Walker in 2002. Not to be missed is the artwork from Helen’s baby books including So Much and her Baby Board Books from the 80’s and 90’s. These books show how her work at the time, alongside her publisher Sebastian Walker was so groundbreaking. These books reshaped what books for the youngest children could look like. Her books were designed with babies in mind, created with thoughtful, simple design and making everyday happenings in babies lives the centre of the books. Their influence still shows in nearly every modern board book.
Burgh House, Hampstead,
6 March to 14 December 2025
Helen’s first solo exhibition in London. A rare chance to experience 50 original works in the flesh
Harley Gallery, Worksop, Nottinghamshire
4 October 2025 — 4 January 2026
Down the rabbit hole and through swishy swashy grass, this joyful exhibition will take you on an adventure through more than 100 original illustrations from Oxenbury’s fifty-year career.
While you are there check out: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: An Art Trail Adventure
On September 11, 2025
Walker Books published
‘Oh Dear, Look What I Got!’
a new book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. Their first together since We’re Going on a Bear Hunt in 1989
