The Big Journey: questions to ask and activities to try
Big Bear and Little Bear set off over the mountains to find a new home. The Big Journey is an uplifting story from Michael Rosen about courage, love and hope.
What age is it for? The Big Journey is best for ages 3–7. Good for: A long journey to a new home.
The Big Journey (Michael Rosen and Daniel Egnéus)
- Age
- 3-7
- Best for
- A long journey to a new home
Read it before a move or any big change. Talk about what the bears took with them that couldn't fit in a bag: courage and each other.
What it helps with
- Moving home
- Courage on hard journeys
- Love and togetherness
- Hope
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.
- “Why were the bears leaving?”
- “What was hard on the journey?”
- “How did they help each other?”
- “Where did they end up?”
- “What makes a place home?”
- “What would you take on a big journey?”
5-minute activities to try together
Journey map
Draw the bears' journey with mountains, rivers and their new home.
Pack a bag
Pack a small bag for a teddy's journey. What does it really need?
Free printables: The Big Journey 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
Noah's New Home (Zeshan Akhter and Nabila Adani)
- Best for
- Arriving somewhere new as a refugee
- Age
- 4-8
We're Going on a Bear Hunt (Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury)
- Best for
- Keeping going when something is hard, and facing fears together
- Age
- 2-6
Lost and Found (Oliver Jeffers)
- Best for
- Loneliness, and the friendships we don't expect
- Age
- 3-7
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.