Hola chicos, last Sunday we were invited to a a really cool event. It was the launch party of a free and fun eye check storybook called Zookeeper Zoe from Boots Opticians and it was held in Central London at St Martin’s Lane Hotel which is a 5 star hotel. How cool is that?
So you can have an idea of how fun this event was, I thought it would be nice for you to watch a short video we made of the event (or watch here on YouTube). Please watch the video below:
I hope you enjoyed the video. Now you can read all about this fantastic event.
Zookeeper Zoe is about the story of Zoe, a little girl who loves animals and dreams of becoming a zoo keeper when she grows up. On a day out at the zoo she unexpectedly has to step in and help look after the animals. For Zoe, who is “crazy about crocs and barmy about bears” this is a dream come true. As the story unfolds, the copy and illustrations guide parents through basic checks designed to help identify any problems with sharpness of vision, the ability to focus properly and to detect different colours. This book has been made in such a way that kids can get very engaged with it. Since we got this book, Bella has asked us to read it every night at bedtime which I think is lovely. She likes to do all the activities that the book contains.
For us this storybook is very interesting as Nick is colour blind and partially sighted in one eye. I was listening as Nick was reading the book to Bella the other night as they were going through the activities. Nick asked Bella if she was able to identify certain numbers inside circles full of coloured dots. Nick was not able to see the numbers in some of the circles because of his problem. Bella however, was very good and was able to correctly read all of the numbers. This was proof of how good this book is as we could see that Bella, unlike her Daddy, did not have any of the sight problems that the book tests for. I thought this was just fantastic.
The need for good eyesight is really important because a child learns almost everything through their vision. The book is also designed to remind families that all children should have a regular eye health check. This book was developed with the National Literacy Trust and created for children aged four to six in collaboration with celebrity Dad, Peter Andre. To ensure all children across the country have access to Zookeeper Zoe, 350,000 printed copies are being given away in Boots UK and Boots Opticians stores from 16 March.
This fantastic and fun storybook is also free to read online or download from zookeeperzoe.co.uk. It is also available as an iOS and Android app. How amazing is that?
The party for the launch of this storybook was super fun. They organised a zoo-themed celebration with different activities to do. Upon arrival we were given a card that we needed to stamp after finishing each activity so that the girls could then be given a goody bag. The different activities were ‘cardboard characters’, ‘reading corner’, ‘animal encounters’, ‘balloon artist’, ‘face painting’, ‘mask making’, ‘colouring corner’ and a ‘green screen’.
We started off with the cardboard characters. It was fun for the girls to play around these characters and have some photos. Sienna was delighted about it as they were all bigger than her, so I guess she felt like she was near some huge animals, lol.
After that we sat at the reading corner. They had a stand full of the Zookeeper Zoe storybook available for all the kids to read. This was a very cosy area with a nice sofa and a few big cushions on the floor. They also offered us something to drink, bringing us some coffee which was nice. I sat down with Bella and read the book to her. We tried the activities as we read it and she was very interested. In the meantime, Sienna was happily playing on the floor or laying on the big cushions as they were very comfy.
We then went to the animal encounters area. This was by far the most enjoyable activity for my girls. They were fascinated to be able to see and touch the animals. They had snakes, millipedes, a cockroach, a colourful parrot and also the cutest lemur ever. The girls were able to feed the lemur which was something very exciting for them to do. I was very surprised about Bella as she was like a fish in water with all these animals (a bit like Zoe!). She twice had the snake around her neck and she was so happy to which I thought was incredibly brave of her. I didn’t do it, although I did touch it as it was very soft. The snake also at some point went inside the handle of my camera case which was quite funny. It was a naughty one for sure, lol. Sienna was more fascinated about the parrot. I think it’s colours drew her attention.
After the animal encounters we went to the face painting area. Bella chose to have a flamingo in one of her cheeks. It was really cute. I loved how it looked on her. Sienna didn’t do this as she is still too little for this kind of thing.
The next activities were the mask making and colouring corner. For the mask making, there were different animals to choose from and they were able to transform them into masks. At the colouring corner they have lots of pre-printed paper so they were able to colour them in or make some animal pictures.
There was also a green screen corner where Bella had her photo taken with the Zookeeper Zoe cover as a background. We also had a family photo which I love a lot. It was nice to have something like this to remember. They then gave the photos that had been taken and put them inside a plastic cover which then went around your neck so we were showing them all the time. I loved this idea a lot.
The next activity was the balloon artist. The man was really talented. He made a little pink poodle for Sienna and a big snake for Bella. We waited a little bit for this as it was really popular.
And finally, for the duration of the party there were an entertainer who was doing some party games, keeping the kids happy and busy. My girls loved this area. They had a gorilla statue that was quite big and Sienna and Bella were obsessed with it, especially Sienna who kept kissing it every 5 minutes lol.
There were champagne, cupcakes and canapés available for the whole party. They also had a big celebration cake. The party was around lunchtime so each of the kids received a packed lunch with assorted yummy sandwiches, a fruit and a drink.
There were also balloons everywhere. Sienna loves jumping and playing with balloons. She played for almost 20 minutes with them! When the party had finished, we were given one of the huge balloon arrangements. I was not very keen with this as were going back home on the tube, but Bella insisted that she wanted them so we had to take them with us for the whole journey home. That was an experience itself on a busy Sunday afternoon walking through London and getting on the tube. Although we were incredibly lucky as it was actually okay and not overly busy. When we arrived home the balloons were everywhere. The girls played with them for the rest of the afternoon so thankfully they were incredibly entertaining, LOL!!! They were then so tired that they ended up completely shattered. It was a fantastic day for them.
We really enjoyed this party. We were very happy to be invited and we all had a fantastic time. This was the first event that we were surrounded by so many celebrities too, which was amazing! We loved it! If you are nosey and want to know which celebrities were there you can read this article from the Daily Mail, 😉
We just want to say THANK YOU so much to Boots for this AMAZING experience!! We could not have spent a better Sunday morning!! The Zookeeper Zoe storybook is a really clever and great idea and we hope that now more kids have access to an additional way of checking their sight so then they will know if they need a proper appointment with an optician. Get your free copy from Boots Opticians now!
What do you think of this storybook? Do you like this idea? Will you be going to Boots to get your free copy of the book? Do you think this will help parents to identify a potential sight problem? Please leave me your comments below as I would love to read what your thoughts are.
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
Linking up with:
Aw it looks like a great day was had by all. Love all the pictures, and the video although you should have warned us about the snakes – I’m terrified of them! #KCACOLS thanks for hosting, as always
I really feel for you, my Mum is utterly phobic of them and probably wouldn’t have even read the post for fear of seeing them! I don’t really like them but not on the same level xx
Sounds like a great book. Lovely pics and Bella’s outfit is fab! #KCACOLS
what a wonderful morning you spent and perfect fun for little ones. Zookeeper Zoe sounds a great book, I hope it does its job. #KCACOLSj
Looks like you all had a fab day! I think the book is a great idea and a wonderful tool to check your child’s eye sight. Sometimes you tend to take for granted things like colour blindness but it’s actually very important to know, especially just before school starts. #KCACOLS
This looks so cool and what a great idea. Boots are my optician and they have always been fantastic, so I’m glad they’re doing something so good to help young children check their vision in such a fun way. I’m going to look for a copy next time I go! Looks like the girls had an awesome time too 🙂 Becky x #KCACOLS
Wow it looks like you had an amazing day! And what a clever idea the book is! So glad you had fun xx #KCACOLS
This book looks like an amazing idea! My daughter has special needs so a regular eye test isn’t an option, something like this could be used to keep her in check! Will definitely be looking to get a copy, thanks for sharing looked like a fab day!
Is that what this book is, I saw it last week while I was on my lunch break at work but didn’t have time to have a nose! I think it’s a great idea, I’ll def grab one next time and put aside. It looks like it was a great day and from your last picture the girls look like they had a fun filled day! x #KCACOLS
What a fab video and what a great event! I can’t believe that you and your daughter held a snake! I am a bit of scaredy cat when it comes to things like that so I think I would have hidden behind the balloons. The book looks amazing and I will be picking up a copy. We have serious eye problems in our family so we have to be really careful with eyes checks for the children etc so this is a perfect addition to the eye checks. Thanks for sharing, I would have never have known about the book if I hadn’t read this post 🙂 #KCACOLS
Wow what a great event! It looks like you all had a great time and I love the video you did 🙂 I actually saw this book in boots the other day and wondered what it was all about so it’s been great to read a bit about it 🙂 #kcacols
That cake looks yummy! I’d always wondered how you tell what a child can and can’t see – the book seems like a great ideax #KCACOLS
What a clever idea – does it work as an eye test on the app as well? Thanks for hosting the #kcacols
Sounds like a wonderful day and what perfect fun for the kids. The book is amazing and I love the idea.
Bella is such a brave little girl!
#KCACOLS
I saw this advertised in the window of our local Boots opticians the other day and thought what a great idea! How fab that you went to the launch party! Brilliant pictures and looks like you had a great time 🙂 #KCACOLS
I’ve seen this book in boots stores and wondered what it was about, thanks for clearing it up and sharing a great day,plus it seems like a great idea to help children through the book. It sounds amazing. 🙂 Thanks for hosting a great linky. #KCACOLS
What a creative way of eye testing younger eyes. Looks like a great event. Amazing that your daughter was happy to have a snake around her neck!!! So brave. I’ll look out for the book. x #KCACOLS
I will have to pop into boots to pick up a copy. Its looks a great little read xx
#KCACOLS
Looks like a fun day. Love the idea of Zookeeper Zoe! #kcacols
Wow what a great event! Your photos are fab as always! I usually take my children to the regular opticians but this is such a great idea and way more exciting for them! Thanks for sharing! #KCACOLS
What a brilliant idea for testing kids eyes! It’s also wonderful that they are giving so many away to ensure all kids can have one. Your daughters looked like they were in absolute heaven at the event!
Thanks for hosting #KCACOLS
Tori
http://www.themamanurse.com
What a great idea! I loved watching the video and I can see what a fantastic time you had. Lovely photos too! I will definitely be popping to Boots. Thanks for sharing this 🙂 #KCACOLS
Wow I didn’t realise that a book could be so clever, and be used to test eyesight – clever Boots. This looks like a great event to have been invited too, and at the St Martins Lane Hotel, lucky you. I bet the girls loved the balloons, hope that they last a few days for them to play with. Thanks for hosting. Claire x #KCACOLS
Sounds like a good book and what a fantastic event. It looks as though they really had thought about their audience…such a variety of activities! What a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning and create happy family memories. #KCACOLS
Looks like you all had a great time – getting your children’s eyes checked out it so important, I hope this book encourages others to do the same.
x Alice
#kcacols
What a great book I love how it can help detect sight issues, Olivia was around Bella’s age when we discovered her sight issues this book would of been perfect then! Also the event looked lovely it sounds like Bella had a lovely time #KCACOLS
What a great idea for a book. Making it animal themed is always going to appeal to kids. And what a great party. It looks like you and the girls had a whales of a time! xx #KCACOLS
What a great book and looksike you had a lot of fun X #kcacols
What a great initiative and a fab event! Bella looks like she was having a great time bless her. Eye tests are so important – I really struggled with my sight when I was younger and had to wear glasses from a teenager. I’ve since had laser which is the best thing I ever did. I love the fun way Boots has brought their campaign to life and is engaging children directly. Great review #KCACOLS xx
It looks like a really great book, what a brilliant idea. It really looks like such a fun day and so much going on. I love days like that now, we all sleep so well hehehehe #kcacols
Before reading this article I wondered, what does a zookeeper have to do with eye testing? Now I understand- the book is the eye test, and what a great idea. I’m sure it will help parents identity potential eyesight problems in their children, in a way that is fun and not at all distressing for the children. It’s also great that the book is being given out for free. I would pick up a copy if I was in the UK. I wish we had Boots here in Mexico, I miss it! #KCACOLS
Looks like a lot of fun was had and the book is a great idea. It must be so hard to test little kids so this will really help.
thanks for the sharing information