Although he has already experienced a lot, the times are also special for Schönbrunn Zoo, the oldest zoo in the world. The pandemic measures have again forced him to close the gates. The zoo, founded in 1752 by Emperor Franz I Stephan von Lothringen, has therefore come up with something special. In order to bring at least a little zoo atmosphere into the children’s room over the holidays, he has revised the Wimmelbuch, the first three editions of which are already enjoying great popularity.
The fourth version of the work designed by the draftsman Heiko Wrusch is intended to build on this success. Again, it invites you to stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage Site Schönbrunn, or through the zoo, which is part of it. Wrusch has set himself the task of staging life in the zoo true to detail.
Although the Wimmelbuch shows scenes from Schönbrunn, it is also suitable for children outside Austria. Because the stories could just as easily unfold in other zoos, whereby the animal protagonists simply have different names – and one or the other animal species probably does not appear there. The squares and places where the story takes place also differ depending on the region. However, this does not spoil the fun of the crowd.
The zoo director as a hidden object
Zoo Director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck reveals what the fourth edition reports on: “In the fourth edition of our Wimmelbuch the polar bear girl Finja, our koala offspring Millaa Millaa and the cheetah cubs must not be missing”. It goes without saying that he himself has also become a hidden object character. With him there are other characters in the plant that one or the other visitor knows: the singing craftsman Fritz, animal trainer Eveline and the curious ground hornbill. He is hidden as a recurring figure on each page.
Because there is something going on in the zoo all year round, every double page is dedicated to a different season. It is teeming with funny picture stories. There is the cheeky crow who always prey on a different treasure. There are the little cheetahs frolicking through the snow. On the other hand, you can discover the rhinos bathing, the lively ring-tailed lemurs on the Monkey Island and the lively pygmy otters while they are feeding.
Zoo director Hering-Hagenbeck promises: «Children who are often with us in the zoo will recognize a lot. Our animals, of course, but also buildings like the Tirolerhof or the Kaiserpavillon and maybe even one or the other familiar face like our seal keeper, our zoo photographer and our animal painter. ” Anyone who was still in Schönbrunn Zoo can at least imagine after reading what it looks like there and what is going on there.
Zurich Zoo also has hidden object books
“Animal world online” asked Zurich Zoo. There they are familiar with the series of books at Schönbrunn Zoo. He is not alone with this idea. «How many zoos we already have such hidden object books, in many versions, ”says Rita Schlegel, Zurich Zoo’s media officer.
In addition to the search books and the existing one Globi book “Globi and the animals in the zoo”, which takes place in Zurich Zoo, people in Zurich have also given thought to how the zoo can be brought into children’s rooms over the holidays. Zurich Zoo was able to gain experience as early as March, as Schlegel explains: “Back then we worked withZoo dihei›Created a page with lots of free craft and game ideas. These can also be used over the festive season for zoo experiences in the children’s room ».
There is also Webcams, through which you can observe some animals from the nursery. In Zurich there is also a different approach: “Children often want an animal for Christmas. With a Animal sponsorship you can fulfill this wish with a clear conscience, ”says Schlegel. This is done without the negative consequences that giving live pets unfortunately very often has. Once again, we strongly advise against buying pets as gifts.
–
