Stories from the Zoo

11 - 19 Feb 2012 – All Day

Inspiring children's authors around the world since 1828, ZSL London Zoo will be celebrating the art of creating stories and telling them during Stories from the Zoo week.

Every day from 11 to 19 February 2012, visitors to the Zoo can enjoy a host of fun and interactive activities and workshops that are perfect for the whole family. Youngsters can discover how to draw their favourite Zoo animal under expert guidance from award-winning illustrators, while authors’ top tips on how to write and tell the perfect children's story will ensure this February half-term is one to remember.

Stories from the Zoo week will also mark the launch of an exciting new collection of children's books by the Zoo and Harry Potter publishers Bloomsbury, which have been written with help from the Zoo’s keepers, conservationists and scientists. These charming ZSL London
Zoo books will be brought to life during lively storytelling sessions by animal experts, while children will also have the chance to impersonate their favourite book characters with face-painting and craft-making workshops.

book tickets to zsl london zoo
Find out all about the free activities happening during the week:

Crafts and storytelling

Story telling - daily

Visit our special story telling spaces and take part in our interactive storytelling sessions. Featuring books from ZSL London Zoo’s new range of children’s books, young visitors can come and discover what exactly they would need to have a sleepover with a giraffe, or host a lion for lunch. Suitable for ages 3+.

Animal Adventure Teepee

Sock puppet workshops- daily

Create your very own story-telling helper in these fun and creative workshops. A whole host of free craft materials (and of course socks!) will be available to create anything from a sock monkey to a sock frog! Suitable for all ages, although young children will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Finger Puppets

Face painting – daily

Children and adults alike can impersonate their favourite book characters by coming along to see the Zoo’s expert face painters.

Childrens birthday parties

Author and illustrator workshops

Illustration workshops – Saturday 11 February 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm, Animal Adventure Michael Terry - Illustrator of ZSL London’s 'Who Lives Here' book will be running three session for children aged six to 10. Michael will talk about illustrating picture books and demonstrate his trademark style with some live illustration. Children will get the chance to join in and learn how to draw their very own zoo animals.
International Rescue sessions – Monday 13 February 11am and 1:30pm Author of the Zoo’s new International Rescue book series, Sally Grindley, will be hosting a lively session on endangered animals and conservation. The event will be filled with quizzes, Q&A sessions and lots of fascinating animal facts. Book signings available at the end of each session. Suitable for children aged eight to 12.
Story Writing workshop – Sunday 12, Tuesday 14 and Thursday 16 February 12:30pm, Learning Den opposite B.U.G.S. Ever dreamed of being a famous author? Ever wanted your story to be illustrated by a professional artist? This half term, ZSL London Zoo will be running three story writing workshops. Children will learn the basics of writing a story and will then work together to produce a short story which will be illustrated by resident Zoo artist Tom Sears. The participants will then be invited back at the end of the day to be given a free copy of their story to take home with them. Maximum 30 children per session, first come first serve basis. Suitable for 5-8 year olds.
Big Cats event – Saturday 18 February 12pm and 2pm, Animal Adventure Michael Cox - Author of ZSL London Zoo’s Big Cats, Michael will be hosting very interactive events with lots of quizzes, including guess the big cat roar with scary sound effects and identify the big cat by their fur. There is also a fun facts section. And of course Michael delivers all of this with his trademark sense of fun and humour.
Wild Things! workshops – Sunday 19 February 2:30pm, Animal Adventure Tale-tastic author Lisa Regan will be hosting a special session about the animals in her Wild Things! books. Book signings available at the end of each session.