Overview and Outcomes:

In this five-stage Story Sapling, practitioners begin by inviting children into a shop that has been set up in the role-play area. Each child or pair enters and attempts to buy an item but is given the wrong thing. Coming out of role as shopkeeper, the practitioner notices that there has been a big mix up and children will need to return the items using a receipt. Children then write receipts or labels for their mistaken items in the hope of returning them. Once the story, Oh Dear. Look What I Got! is introduced, children begin to make the connection between their experience and that of the character. They identify that shop signs might help to let customers know what they can actually buy. Reading more of the text, children see that the child is having the same issue and suggest that they might need to make a shopping list. Children then explore rhyming words and write list poems. Finally children retell their own version of the story in books that they then publish and share.

Synopsis of Text:

From beloved author and illustrator pairing Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury comes a brilliant new picture book that will delight a new generation of children. Each visit to the shop brings an animal surprise in this playful read-aloud, with a final twist and a joyful ending. Young readers will love joining in the rhyming text and guessing what comes next in this hilarious picture book, sure to become a timeless classic.

Text rationale:

From the creators of the classic, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Oh Dear, Look What I Got! is likely to be another children’s favourite. Multi-award winning author, Michael Rosen spins a humorous tale of repeated mistakes and mishaps in catchy rhyme. Children will love guessing what comes next based on the rhymes as well as mimicking the repeated dismayed refrain of the main character. Helen Oxenbury’s whimsical drawings allow children to interpret the words whilst leaving space for their own imaginations.

Links and Themes:

Inside outside, wild things, lost & found, humour, rhyme, community, mistakes

Date written: June 2026

Text © 2026 Michael Rosen Illustrations © 2026 Helen Oxenbury From Oh Dear, Look What I Got! Written by Michael Rosen & Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Reproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London, SE11 5HJ www.walker.co.uk