On Saturday we got up very early
And headed off on a train to London
We were on our way to the zoo!
We had first breakfast on the train
While playing a traditional zoo game
I went to the zoo and I saw …
We were all very excited about getting to Regents Park
And exploring the new Dear Zoo Trail
The trail is at ZSL London Zoo this Easter
And then it will move to ZSL Whipsnade for the May half term
We were incredibly lucky to be invited by Milly and Flynn
Not only to be among the first to follow the trail
Based on the famous Rod Campbell picture book
But also to meet the author
And hear him tell his story
It was a wonderful experience
Made all the more special by the fact that we all truly adore the book
It was also almost one year to the day since I made this video
Of Bea discovering the delights of the now 35 year old
Classic, lift the flap, book
On arriving at the zoo
We found the interactive storytelling hub
Wrapped in a red ribbon waiting to be officially opened by Rod Campbell
Esther, William and Bea were all very excited
They were certain that inside the red crate
Was a lion
Just like in the picture book
Bea was busy telling anyone that would listen
There’s a lion in there
There’s a fierce lion in there
We had some breakfast
Including delicious Dear Zoo cupcakes
(It was a special occasion)
And then it was time for the most magical storytelling session
Dear Zoo with author Rod Campbell
Rod was such a natural storyteller
He interacted with all the children
Added humour for the grown ups
And was generally very engaging
Throughout the entire event actually
I found him to be kind and patient
And very generous with his time
Even when one two year old
In the guise of another children’s classic character
(My Naughty Little Sister)
Insisted on gong up to the kind man
In front of everyone and showing him
Her bad back!
And yes
Of course
It was Bea!
Who had also proudly and excitedly shouted out
At the page with the bright red box
This is my FAVOURITE page!
She perhaps more than any of us
Loved meeting ‘the man that wrote Dear Zoo’
After the story we had a chance to have a look around
The interactive hub
The children loved opening the crate doors
Finding the frog in the box
The snake in a basket
And cuddling the picture perfect puppy dog
Esther and I then queued to meet Mr Campbell
To say thank you for writing such a wonderful book
And to get three copies signed
For each of the children to treasure forever
They love their books very much already
As well as the cuddly toys
And the colouring sheets they were given
What very lucky children!
Once the books were signed
It was time to roam the zoo
To see all the animals
And to find those animals mentioned in the book Dear Zoo
With each of the animals pictured in the book
There was a stamping station
Where children could get a trail card stamped
Showing that they had seen each of the story animals
In real life
As there are no elephants at ZSL London Zoo
That section of the card was stamped at the end of the story
We love London Zoo
And have been many times
We followed our own familiar route around
Catching up with all our favourite creatures
The penguins
The lions
The tigers
The gorillas
The lemurs
The giraffes
The Okapis
The Dear Zoo Trail added something new to our adventure
And is a lovely way for new visitors to structure their visit to the zoo
I have a new favourite exhibit at the zoo
Which is In With The Monkeys
The little monkeys in there are so naughty
So cheeky and such fun
Esther, William and Bea loved all the animals
They also love the statues
And have to climb on or interact in some way with each one
I decided that if I were to write a letter to the zoo
I would ask for a Komodo Dragon
Or a Galapagos Tortoise
If you are looking for a fun family day out this Easter
Do consider a visit to ZSL London Zoo
To see all the animals and to follow the Dear Zoo Trail
It is perfect!
Thank you Milly and Flynn for inviting us to be part of such a very special day
Looks like you all had a wonderful time, I bet you were exhausted afterwards!