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Bear Family #2
Whatever Next!
The moon and back before bathtime? Whatever next! Join Baby Bear as he finds a rocket, makes friends with an owl and has a picnic on the moon! A beautiful story of innocence and imagination, full of Jill Murphy’s characteristic warmth and humour, this is the second Bear family adventure following the bestselling PEACE AT LAST.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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About the author
Jill Murphy
83 books342 followersJill Murphy was a London-born English children's author, best known for The Worst Witch series and the Large Family picture books. She has been described as "one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land."
Jill Murphy was born in London and attended the Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon which, together with the boarding school stories she enjoyed reading, provided much of the material and inspiration Miss Cackle's Academy in the The Worst Witch, which she started when she was 15. She put the book on hold as she attended both Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools, but continued to write it whilst living in a village in Togo, West Africa for a year and then whilst working as a nanny back at home. The book was published when Jill turned 24 and proved an instant success. However, Jill continued working as a nanny until the publication of The Worst Witch Strikes Again prompted her to devote herself to full-time writing. The Worst Witch stories have become some of the most outstandingly successful titles on the Young Puffin paperback list and have sold more than 3 million copies. They were also made into a major ITV series. She was also well known for her picture books and was commended in the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal for Peace at Last. A Quiet Night In was shortlisted for the same medal in 1994. She was perhaps best known for the very popular Mr and Mrs Large picture books, which detail the domestic chaos of an elephant family. Five Minute's Peace won the 1987 Parents Magazine Best Books for Babies Award, as well as being shortlisted for the 1986 Children's Book Award. All in One Piece was highly commended for the 1987 Kate Greenaway Award and shortlisted for the 1987 Children's Book Award. The Last Noo-noo won the 0-5 category of the 1995 Smarties Book Prize and in the same year was shortlisted for the English 4-11 Outstanding Children's Book of the Year, going on to win the 1996 Sheffield Children's Book Award. It won the 1996 Gateshead Gold Award. In the same year it was adapted as a play and performed at the Polka Theatre, London.
Jill Murphy was born in London and attended the Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon which, together with the boarding school stories she enjoyed reading, provided much of the material and inspiration Miss Cackle's Academy in the The Worst Witch, which she started when she was 15. She put the book on hold as she attended both Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools, but continued to write it whilst living in a village in Togo, West Africa for a year and then whilst working as a nanny back at home. The book was published when Jill turned 24 and proved an instant success. However, Jill continued working as a nanny until the publication of The Worst Witch Strikes Again prompted her to devote herself to full-time writing. The Worst Witch stories have become some of the most outstandingly successful titles on the Young Puffin paperback list and have sold more than 3 million copies. They were also made into a major ITV series. She was also well known for her picture books and was commended in the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal for Peace at Last. A Quiet Night In was shortlisted for the same medal in 1994. She was perhaps best known for the very popular Mr and Mrs Large picture books, which detail the domestic chaos of an elephant family. Five Minute's Peace won the 1987 Parents Magazine Best Books for Babies Award, as well as being shortlisted for the 1986 Children's Book Award. All in One Piece was highly commended for the 1987 Kate Greenaway Award and shortlisted for the 1987 Children's Book Award. The Last Noo-noo won the 0-5 category of the 1995 Smarties Book Prize and in the same year was shortlisted for the English 4-11 Outstanding Children's Book of the Year, going on to win the 1996 Sheffield Children's Book Award. It won the 1996 Gateshead Gold Award. In the same year it was adapted as a play and performed at the Polka Theatre, London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 6, 2020
Once again, I Thank Words & Pictures for Exposing me to this Story, Continuing adventures of baby bear from Peace at Last. A Fun book particularly good at bedtime.
January 4, 2012
This book tells the story of a bear who finds household objects and turns them into a helmet, space boots and a rocket so he can go to the moon. On the way he encounters an owl who joins him on his journey. They land on the moon and have a picnic but eventually get bored, and thus decide to go back home. When he arrives home his mother does not believe him. A brilliant story about creativity and imagination.
After studying this book with a class of nursery children, I believe that it is great for introducing the topic of ‘space’ to the early years and introducing the correct terminology .It can also be a valuable resource for teaching positional language, (for example, the bear went up in the rocket) colour and object identification for nursery children. Overall a very engaging book which can be used to generate a lot of discussion, child-initiated activities and role plays. It provides a solid starting point for assessing communication, language and literacy (CLL), problem solving, reasoning and numeracy (PSRN), knowledge and understanding of the world (KUW) and other EYFS areas.
After studying this book with a class of nursery children, I believe that it is great for introducing the topic of ‘space’ to the early years and introducing the correct terminology .It can also be a valuable resource for teaching positional language, (for example, the bear went up in the rocket) colour and object identification for nursery children. Overall a very engaging book which can be used to generate a lot of discussion, child-initiated activities and role plays. It provides a solid starting point for assessing communication, language and literacy (CLL), problem solving, reasoning and numeracy (PSRN), knowledge and understanding of the world (KUW) and other EYFS areas.
August 29, 2020
A nice classic about dreams coming true.
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May 6, 2012This book is what I always use during a space theme! This book lends its self so well when planning and implementing a creative curriculum. Baby Bear pretends to go to the moon for a tea party with owl in a make shift rock made from a cardboard box and a colander for a space helmet! I found children love to re- enact this story with large boxes, wellington boots and colanders! I highly recommend this book for children in the EYFS to support a space theme.
I like how at the end of the story Baby Bear is really dirty and you wonder if baby bear did really go into space!! I like this story as it is a simple story about baby bear playing whilst his mother is busy in the house. This story is something all childrne and adults can identify with but has that edge to it that baby bears role play becomes so real that you do question whether or not baby bear goes into space!
I like how at the end of the story Baby Bear is really dirty and you wonder if baby bear did really go into space!! I like this story as it is a simple story about baby bear playing whilst his mother is busy in the house. This story is something all childrne and adults can identify with but has that edge to it that baby bears role play becomes so real that you do question whether or not baby bear goes into space!
May 28, 2021
Fabulous!
September 17, 2012
The book ‘Whatever Next’ by Jill Murphy is a really good children’s picture book. In the story Baby Bear looks out of the window one night and notices the moon. He then decides he wants to go to the moon just before bath time. However, he is told by his mother that he needs a rocket. He finds a rocket, space helmet and space boots and sets off for his adventure to the moon. On his way he becomes friends with an owl. Baby Bear and owl enjoy a picnic on the moon before he sets back for Baby Bears bath. When he gets home he tells his mother all about his adventure but, she doesn’t seem to believe him. I really enjoyed reading this book because it was adventurous and fun to read. The appropriate age range for this book is Foundation and Key Stage 1. It has fantastic illustrations and is fun to read aloud in class.
April 23, 2019
This book is a nice introduction to going on an adventure. This book is a nice book to act out, to evoke imagination. I would use drama with the cardboard box that first act out the story but then also plan their next adventure. What is the box next? Is it still a space rocket or is it now a boat or submarine or is it a train? Of if we close the lid and then open it, are we somewhere new?
It could also be linked to writing diary entries, a diary entry from baby bear, what did he get up to? how does baby bear feel in this adventure? Could then be linked to their own adventure, what did they get up to? How did they feel?
It could also be linked to writing diary entries, a diary entry from baby bear, what did he get up to? how does baby bear feel in this adventure? Could then be linked to their own adventure, what did they get up to? How did they feel?
June 8, 2012
This is a lovely story about Baby Bear who is determined to go to the moon. His mother tells him that he cannot go to the moon without a rocket so he searches his house and finds a rocket (a cardboard box), a space helmet (a sieve) and some space boots and then he is off on an adventure. When Baby Bear lands on the moon he has a picnic with an owl he met on the way there. I have fond memories of reading this book as a child. I think that this would be a great book to use in a drama lesson as it encourages imagination and creativity.
January 23, 2019
Whatever next! Is an exciting book where a bear goes on an adventure to the moon. The book would be good for developing children’s imagination and it could be used a a starting point for story writing. The children could use the idea of the adventure and think of some where they could travel to in a cardboard box.
The illustrations were basic with beautiful colours and details. The page that are dark are celebrities because the white writing and white illustrations stands out on this page.
The illustrations were basic with beautiful colours and details. The page that are dark are celebrities because the white writing and white illustrations stands out on this page.
December 24, 2018
A cute story about a little bear who wants to go to the moon before he takes a bath. He uses his imagination and gets dirty doing it, but he gets to the moon. And then he takes a bath. I like that he prepares for safety issues.
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March 11, 2018Whatever next! A wonderful, adventurous book that is brilliant for allowing children to drift their thoughts outside of this world and into space. The main theme in this book is simply the riveting imagination of young Baby Bear of going to the moon while Mrs Bear gets his bath ready. The dialogue between Baby Bear and Mrs Bear demonstrates an ordinary conversation that many parents have with their children, the thoughts and experiences of children in comparison to parents and how Mrs Bear refuses to believe he went to the moon. This allows children to relate as children are often disregarded in their stories, so I found this quite interesting and relatable from a child’s perspective.
The Verso illustrations in the book are black and white and frameless as opposed to the Recto side. On the left-hand side illustrations, the reader is placed in the book and are apart of the story to a certain extent. Whereas on the Right-hand side the illustrations are placed in frames and this indicates an outside view from the reader. This is very interesting to be able to experience two views in one book as it allows the reader to be able to experience from different perspectives of the story.
Also, the use of black and white is unique in a children’s book as usually they involve colour, and this can engage the child as it is presented in a different way. Furthermore, the use of the black and white illustrations almost presents the outlook of Baby Bear, and how Baby Bear plans to go to the moon, almost like the black and white pictures are sketches from Baby Bears head. This is very attention drawing as it shows us what is going on in Baby Bears head and his planning before going to the moon. The use of frames and black and white illustrations is very much the same as Jill Murphy’s other books like Peace at last, and this shows a continuing theme of not only the characters but a similarity of the type, colour and framing of the pictures.
Although these aspects of the book I enjoyed, I felt that the book wasn’t particularly entertaining to a large extent as the adventure of going to the moon didn’t involve a lot of exploration of the moon and aspects of space like maybe the portrayal of shooting stars or other rockets and maybe aliens would have been quite interesting to put in to the adventure. Nevertheless, I think this book would be of interest to children as the simple fact of the moon and space is fascinating in itself.
The Verso illustrations in the book are black and white and frameless as opposed to the Recto side. On the left-hand side illustrations, the reader is placed in the book and are apart of the story to a certain extent. Whereas on the Right-hand side the illustrations are placed in frames and this indicates an outside view from the reader. This is very interesting to be able to experience two views in one book as it allows the reader to be able to experience from different perspectives of the story.
Also, the use of black and white is unique in a children’s book as usually they involve colour, and this can engage the child as it is presented in a different way. Furthermore, the use of the black and white illustrations almost presents the outlook of Baby Bear, and how Baby Bear plans to go to the moon, almost like the black and white pictures are sketches from Baby Bears head. This is very attention drawing as it shows us what is going on in Baby Bears head and his planning before going to the moon. The use of frames and black and white illustrations is very much the same as Jill Murphy’s other books like Peace at last, and this shows a continuing theme of not only the characters but a similarity of the type, colour and framing of the pictures.
Although these aspects of the book I enjoyed, I felt that the book wasn’t particularly entertaining to a large extent as the adventure of going to the moon didn’t involve a lot of exploration of the moon and aspects of space like maybe the portrayal of shooting stars or other rockets and maybe aliens would have been quite interesting to put in to the adventure. Nevertheless, I think this book would be of interest to children as the simple fact of the moon and space is fascinating in itself.
July 25, 2017
This was one of my favourite books as a child and I have witnessed many children enjoy this book. I would definitely recommend it.
January 8, 2019
Studied with Year One in literacy who also enjoyed using it in drama to act out the plot. Detailed illustrations.
August 6, 2020
4 Star
A sweet small beautiful picture book.
A sweet small beautiful picture book.
March 12, 2021
One I remember from my own childhood and my child-minded children often request this one. It is cute, it is a nice introduction into authors having more than one book to their name and just the right touch of imagination needed from the readers
October 14, 2020
Tracked it down!! Couldn’t remember the name of this, but peace at last triggered something from the depths of my own reading/being read to memory and this is it! Love love love the imaginative words and images and child’s play in this story. Love the picnic on the moon, the space helmet, and that chocolate digestive biscuit!! A gorgeously nostalgic reminder of the joy a book can bring in younger years
October 6, 2013
‘Whatever Next’ by Jill Murphy is a children’s story about a bear who, whilst getting ready for bed, flies to the moon in his box rocket, his colander helmet and his friend the owl.
This story would be suitable for whole class reading in reception, nursery and year 1, and suitable for independent reading in year 1, as it may be slightly too easy for some year 2 and slightly too long for reception children. In terms of subject areas, this story could be used to inspire imagination in story writing during Literacy, encourage loose parts play in the Early Years Foundation Stage, display speech and sequencing for Literacy. It could also be used to extend the idea of outer space for the Early Years Foundation Stage and year 1.
This is one of my favourite children’s stories as it inspires imagination and has an interesting topic.
This story would be suitable for whole class reading in reception, nursery and year 1, and suitable for independent reading in year 1, as it may be slightly too easy for some year 2 and slightly too long for reception children. In terms of subject areas, this story could be used to inspire imagination in story writing during Literacy, encourage loose parts play in the Early Years Foundation Stage, display speech and sequencing for Literacy. It could also be used to extend the idea of outer space for the Early Years Foundation Stage and year 1.
This is one of my favourite children’s stories as it inspires imagination and has an interesting topic.
May 9, 2012
Following on from Jill Murphy’s ‘Peace at Last’, I read ‘Whatever Next’ to my Reception Children. This was a fantastic read and got their minds racing. They were asking about the Moon, what it looks like and if they can go there! So, I thought I’d take them to the moon. Using this as a stimulus for a role play, I set the hall as a moon (and even added in new characters to get more children involved). This was excellent fun and an excellent way to get children talking.
It can be used in a number of ways in the Foundation Stage if framed accordingly. Would highly recommend this, especially if doing topic work on bears in EYFS, and is an excellent way of introducing space to children. We were working on Sun, Moon and Stars at the time, so this linked in very well.
It can be used in a number of ways in the Foundation Stage if framed accordingly. Would highly recommend this, especially if doing topic work on bears in EYFS, and is an excellent way of introducing space to children. We were working on Sun, Moon and Stars at the time, so this linked in very well.
May 8, 2012
‘Whatever Next’ by Jill Murphy is a story about Baby Bears imaginary adventure to the moon. He finds a box under the stairs and pretends it’s his rocket, and uses a colander as his space helmet. The story describes his adventure to the moon and who he meets along the way. The children in Reception loved the illustrations and acted out the scenes during free play. It is a brilliant story about creativity and imagination. We also used this book as a cross curricular link to numeracy when we were learning about 3D shapes. Each child made their own rocket using different 3D shapes they found at home. We made a very colourful display that the children loved.
February 8, 2018
My little granddaughter (nearly two) adores this book. She’s learned so many words from pointing at things in the lovely pictures – moon, clock, owl…etc. She always chooses it from the pile and has started “reading” it to her doll. It’s doubly enjoyable that the book belonged to my daughter when she was tiny. She loved it so much that I kept it for over thirty years. It hasn’t dated at all. Can highly recommend all Jill Murphy’s books. We have the full set and have bought them numerous times as gifts.
September 4, 2020
Imagination is really important and I felt that this book is written from a child's imagination. I like how at the end, it isn't assumed that it wasn't true or didn't happen, it's left open that he really could have flown to the moon which I think is lovely for the children and to give them confidence playing imaginary games.
I think that this is a good bedtime story as it's a cosy feeling book and is set at the time of the bear getting ready for bed. Less of an energetic story in which the children would get up and stomp about.
I think that this is a good bedtime story as it's a cosy feeling book and is set at the time of the bear getting ready for bed. Less of an energetic story in which the children would get up and stomp about.
May 1, 2012
A great book for Early Years to read. It's about a baby bear who wants to go to the Moon so he builds himself a rocket from a cardboard box and flys up through the chimney. He meets an owl and they have a picnic on the Moon together. Baby bear finds it a bit boring so they fly home so he can have a bath. It has whole page pictures and no more than 3/4 lines of text on each page. It would fit in nicely with a topic on Teddy in space/Teddy goes to the Moon.
May 4, 2012
This is a much loved children’s book. Baby bear wants to go to the moon so he makes a rocket out of a box. This book is beautifully illustrated with the popular Baby bear character from ‘Peace at last’. It taps into children’s imagination as they can too get a box and imagine that they are flying to the moon. When the mum says ‘whatever next’, it suggests that Baby bear did in fact visit the moon and it was not imagination.
November 3, 2012
Courageous Baby Bear had better things to do than take a bath. He found a rocket under the stairs, a space helmet and boots. He took off up the chimney and away to the moon. After a picnic on the moon, Baby Bear returned home just in time for his bath. This book is a lovely adventure story that I have used during circle with nursery children to promote imaginative talk. Teachers could use this books an introduction to a creative writing assignment for upper key key stage1.
December 19, 2011
This classic Jill Murphy book was a favourite in the class. The story of little bear finding his rocket, space boots and space helmet and flying to the moon. The children enjoyed collecting these items and pretending to fly to the moon. The pictures bring this story to life and there are so many activities that can completed from reading this book.
February 3, 2018
A magical tale for very young readers about a young bear who makes a rocket and a space suit out of a cardboard box and a colander and heads off to the Moon, accompanied by his teddy and a friendly owl he meets on the way. Sumptuous illustrations, full of detail to interest the observant child, and a fantastical scenario constructed with everyday objects of the sort likely to be to hand in the room where this bedtime story casts its magical effect.
March 28, 2023
This is such a delightful book! I have read it many, many times as a teacher and a parent and it was always a favourite, even going so far as finding a big cardboard box, wellies and a colander for the children to take turns to sit in and imagine flying into space. The 40 year anniversary edition has extra content, giving an insight into the life of Jill Murphy as well as previously unseen drawings. Highly recommend. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2025
This is such a sweet and simple story about Baby Bear who decides to go to the moon before bedtime. I really liked how he uses everyday things like a box, boots, and a colander to make his own rocket and helmet. It’s such a lovely reminder of how far imagination can take you.
The book feels warm and comforting, and the illustrations make it even more endearing. It’s one of those stories that quietly reminds you to dream big and stay curious, no matter how small the idea seems.
The book feels warm and comforting, and the illustrations make it even more endearing. It’s one of those stories that quietly reminds you to dream big and stay curious, no matter how small the idea seems.
October 13, 2020
Whatever Next! is a lovely text to share with reception aged children. The text prompts prediction questions and is a useful text to share when thinking about ordering events in stories. The space theme particularly captures boys in the class and can lead to all sorts of wonderful role play opportunities.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews