Jacqueline Wilson reads to Sussex zoo animals to celebrate World Book Day
Zoo animals in Sussex have been told stories in celebration of World Book Day
Animals at a Sussex zoo have been treated to story time with one of Britain's most famous childrens' authors.
Dame Jacqueline Wilson has been reading to the likes of lemurs, meerkats and monkeys at Drusillas Park near Alfriston to mark World Book Day.
The renowned novelist, famous for her best-selling children’s books, spent an afternoon with head keeper Gemma Romanis reading her iconic book – The Story of Tracey Beaker - to capybaras, lemurs, meerkats, monkeys, and sloths to inspire children to ‘read their own way’ ahead of World Book Day this week.
Jacqueline and her wife Trish were invited to take part in close encounters with some of the zoo’s friendliest and most curious animals, to feed them their favourite treats and read a few passages of the best-selling book.
A zoo spokesperson said the author had "a natural way with the animals".
World Book Day 2024 will celebrate that children are more likely to enjoy reading when their choices are championed and we make reading fun.
Head keeper Gemma commented:
“What an honour to meet Jacqueline and invite her into our animal world! I grew up reading the Tracey Beaker books, and she definitely inspired a love of reading for me, so it’s wonderful with the help of Jacqueline to encourage other children to read by showing them that even our animals enjoy it.
“Reading to the animals is of course a fun way to take part in a worldwide celebration, but it also forms part of our daily enrichment programmes for our animals.
"Every day we introduce new and interesting objects, puzzles, and scents to stimulate their minds and keep them active, which helps to encourage natural behaviours."
Jacqueline’s novels have been notable for featuring realistic topics such as adoption and divorce without alienating her large readership. Since her debut novel in 1969, Wilson has written over 100 books.