Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?: questions to ask and activities to try
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? This rhythmic classic, with Eric Carle's bright collage pictures, is one of the best first books for colours, animals and joining in.
What age is it for? Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is best from birth to age 4. Good for: Colours, animals and joining in with repeated words.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle)
- Age
- 0-4
- Best for
- Colours, animals and joining in with repeated words
Read the first few pages, then pause and let your child say the next line. Repetition is the point: by the third read, many little ones can “read” it themselves.
What it helps with
- Learning colours and animal names
- Joining in with repeated words
- Early reading and guessing what comes next
- Building confidence as a reader
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What did Brown Bear see?”
- “Which animal was your favourite?”
- “What colour was the duck? The horse?”
- “Who did the animals see at the end?”
- “What would a purple cat see?”
- “Can you make up a new page?”
5-minute activities to try together
What do you see?
Take turns: “Mummy, Mummy, what do you see? I see a ___ looking at me!”, using things around the room.
Collage animal
Tear coloured paper and glue it into an animal, like Eric Carle's pictures.
Free printables: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Growing and changing, and waiting for something good
- Age
- 2-5
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd)
- Best for
- Winding down at bedtime, and settling to sleep
- Age
- 0-4
A Great Big Cuddle (Michael Rosen and Chris Riddell)
- Best for
- Joining in with rhymes and sounds, and sharing feelings
- Age
- 0-5
Search all our books by what's happening →
By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.