We're Going On A Bear Hunt

We are big fans of We're Going on a Bear Hunt.  It's a classic book that I've read to both kids from the time they were little babies.  The repetitive text reads like a children's song, and there are fun descriptive words for each obstacle the group encounters as they search for the bear.   Then once they find the bear, the story really picks up speed.  Everyone from babies to kindergarteners to grownups seems to get a kick out of this book.  There's just one thing I can't figure out, and it's a point of some disagreement in my house: is this a story about four kids and their dad, or is it a mom, dad, and three kids going on the bear hunt?  The dad is clearly a dad in the illustrations, but there is one female character who could be the mom, or could be just an older girl.  I would like to say that my husband and I have not sat together on the couch, after the kids were in bed mind you, and discussed this very question, but the truth is we might just be that lame.  But these are the kinds of things that you start asking yourself after you've read the same book 8000 times.  Anyway this is a favorite in our family.  Toddlers will get a kick out of reading it out loud, especially if you do it with lots of energy.  It's also a good jumping off point for some pretend play.  There are even lesson plans using the book for dramatic interpretation or story sequencing.  If you have little kids and you haven't tried this book yet, definitely check it out.