Book Week is fast approaching and this year’s theme is a good one - Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds. There is so much to explore, so many costume choices, and so many amazing books to be read. You might be knee deep in child dress up ideas, but there are so many fun ways to celebrate book week at home and really develop that love of reading in your little one, whether they’re school age or younger.

Using MiniZoo animals to read along with stories is an excellent way to boost visual literacy, imagination, and get those kids who might need a bit of extra help with their reading, to really engage with the story.

Our little learners are doing it tough lately, in and out of lockdown and home schooling, and parents and teachers are doing their best to bridge any gaps and keep the love of learning alive. Whether you’re learning from home, or learning at school, creating an interactive Book Week Bookish Play Station would be an awesome way to get your kids excited about reading.

I’ve chosen three books as an example that meet the Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds themes - one for each world - and have picked out some great MiniZoo figures and props to play it out.

Book 1: Old Worlds

The Usborne Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers about Dinosaurs is not only super fun, but super informative for any little learner curious about Old Worlds, so old, in fact, its prehistoric - truly ancient. Lift-the-flap books are great for little ones, but also perfect in engaging older students who get bored when reading.

There are SO many facts about dinosaurs in this book, and the MiniZoo model dinosaur collection certainly will not disappoint any dinosaur enthusiast. We have dinosaurs for every letter of the alphabet (and then some) so if that appeals, check out my last blog here. My little ones love the green Schleich Tyrannosaurus Rex with his moveable jaw, and my personal favourite is the PNSO Microraptor, with its feathered wing-like limbs and long tail.

Book 2: New Worlds

I love this new book by Philip Bunting. It’s called Give Me Some Space! And, not only does it empower kids to follow their passions and use their imagination to achieve their dreams, but it also leaves a resounding feeling of awe towards the amazing galaxy we live in. Una desperately wants to be an astronaut, and she makes it happen - fishbowl helmet and all. From space, she enjoys the view of all the planets in the solar system and goes on an awesome adventure. But it doesn’t take her long to realise that, while she’s dreamt her whole life of “space”, the little blue planet we call Earth is truly something incredible in its own right, and ought to be cherished.

Space exploration is definitely one of the exciting elements of modern science, so finding a New World in outer space is a fun concept to explore for Book Week. MiniZoo isn’t only about animals - we have a number of space products that fit this theme perfectly. We’ve used the Safari Space Toob for a range of astronauts, spaceships and other space travel essentials, though Wild Republic also have a Space Nature Tube too which would work just as well, as would the Safari Solar System if you want models of the planets to play with on your adventure. Plus, the Let Them Play StoryScene Space Set is awesome in creating an aspiring astronauts playground.

Book 3: Other Worlds

This book is one of my personal childhood favourites, and I’m sure many will know the story and illustrations. It’s Rainbow Magic by Shirley Barber. Barber surely created one of the greatest fairy worlds ever imagined, and inspired many young children to make believe in an enchanted world, chase the ends of the rainbows, make little boats or houses for fairy folk, and truly *believe* in their magical kingdom.

Paired with Safari’s Buttercup the Fairy and Schleich’s Miniature Schnauzer to represent Annie and Little Dog Bozo, this book really tells a magical tale. We also used the Safari Friendly Fairies Super Toob to help create the many members of the fairy court, together with the Papo Elf Child, but there are lots of fairy options to choose from on MiniZoo’s website using the fairy search function. To recreate their encounter with the deer herd, we’ve used the Schleich White Tailed Deer family including Doe, Buck and Fawn. To really recreate Barber’s magical aura we also utilised the Let Them Play StoryScene props like the Rainbow and the Fairy, as well as the Papoose Woodland Summer Tree.

So if you really want to get into the spirit of Book Week, find a book (or several), flick through it and see which MiniZoo figures to match up, stock up your cart and get reading. Your little ones will thank you for it.

Please share with us on social media any Book Week Bookish Play you might try - we’d love to see your little ones using MiniZoo figures to engage in their reading. Look us up on Instagram or Facebook, and join our Facebook VIP Group if you love interactive play like this to chat to other likeminded MiniZoo lovers.

Jenna @ MiniZoo