Activities Books Lockdown

Tails from the Zoo: storytelling with zookeepers

ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos extend popular virtual bedtime story events in partnership with Simon & Schuster Children’s Books Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February, then every Sunday to 28 March – 6:30pm

Parents up and down the country can jump for joy, as London and Whipsnade Zoo announce more dates of their popular Tails from the Zoo virtual events – giving the country’s home-schooling heroes a night off as the zookeepers take charge of bedtime.

Exclusively partnering with Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, Tails from the Zoo is being extended throughout March, kicking off with a double whammy weekend on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February, then featuring a new story every Sunday until 28 March, shared live on the Zoos’ official Facebook pages.

Launching a series of six well-loved titles alongside brand-new releases, Tails from the Zoo will kick off with Whipsnade Zoo’s head elephant keeper Stefan Groeneveld reading How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth in the company of the Asian elephant herd, and then go on to feature Vicky Fyson reading Benji Davies’ much loved The Storm Whale at London’s Penguin Beach among other wild tales.

ZSL’s Director of Engagement and Fundraising, James Wren said: “We’ve been thrilled by the response to Tails from the Zoo, and to have been able to bring London and Whipsnade Zoos to our young supporters while our gates are closed to the public has been really special. Thanks to this exciting partnership with Simon & Schuster’s Children’s Books, we can share more of the life that goes on behind our closed doors through these delightful books and hopefully encourage more support for our global conservation work.”

Rachel Denwood, Managing Director of Simon & Schuster Children’s Books UK, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with ZSL on this very special initiative. During lockdown, we are all seeking new content to keep our children entertained and we hope families everywhere will enjoy the wealth of animal stories that we have lined up for them.”

Visitors to ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoo provide the core and vital income for international conservation charity, ZSL. Closed for the third time in a year due to COVID-19 restrictions, but with more than 20,000 animals to still care for, the charity is facing huge financial pressures and needs the public’s help to survive. Donate now at  www.zsl.org/donate