Literacy

Literacy

Literacy at the Brandywine Zoo & Beyond

“Books are mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors” - Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop

Our vision at the Brandywine Zoo is to inspire awe and action; while we educate our guests about wildlife conservation daily at the zoo, we hope to encourage guests to continue learning once they step outside of our gates. Books are an incredible way to keep learning and connecting with the world around us!

Reading is an important tool that can be used for self-discovery and to create empathy and understanding for others. Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop described books as “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors”. Books act as mirrors when we see ourselves within the pages, helping us to feel seen, heard, and understood. Books also act as windows to allow readers to see unfamiliar worlds and become sliding glass doors when they transport readers to these new places, helping us to empathize with those who have different stories than our own.

At the Brandywine Zoo, we are committed to providing extraordinary experiences that are affordable, empowering, accessible, and that create a just and welcoming environment for all. We actively work to keep our libraries updated with books from diverse authors with characters and stories that reflect the multitude of experiences within our community. When you visit the Brandywine Zoo, you can expect programming that is welcoming and accepting to all.

Storytime

Each Thursday morning during the summer, the Zoo Education Department hosts a storybook reading from our internal library with a corresponding activity, such as a movement game, nature scavenger hunt, or meeting an animal ambassador. This program is designed for preschool children and their families and is free with Zoo admission.

storytime
Storytime holding book
Little Free Library

In the Zoo’s Nature Playground there is a Little Free Library where guests of all ages can read a book during their visit, take a book home, and bring book donations to pass along to other guests. The Zoo accepts gently used books with animal themes and characters, themes of child development and diversity, topics of nature, native wildlife and conservation, field guides, and Delaware history. The Gift Shop also carries a selection of storybooks for young readers. 

‘Panda Cubs’ Early Years Educational Programs in Wilmington, DE

The Panda Cubs Early Years Educational Program at the Brandywine Zoo aims to deliver inclusive and accessible educational opportunities to students with varying learning needs in our community in Wilmington, Delaware. Since the program began in 2023, The Brandywine Zoo has partnered with Warner Elementary’s Early Years Program to provide students with literacy focused programming at no cost, thanks to multiple generous sponsors. Beginning in 2024, we’re excited to announce the expansion of our Panda Cubs program to Richardson Park Elementary’s Early Years Program as well!

This program supports students with varying learning needs from ages 3-5 in learning about their emotions, strengthening their empathy for animals and each other, promoting literacy, and encouraging exploration of the outdoors in urban settings. Zoo Education Staff provide educational programs for all Early Years Program students twice a month throughout their school year to teach through song, dance, play, and storytelling. Students also receive copies of books from our diverse Storybook List to take home or keep in the classroom. These storybooks have not only acted as “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors”, but have also led to an increase in literacy and reading skills in the classroom. We intentionally include stories that are BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, neurodivergent, or set in an urban setting to reflect the community of Wilmington.

Thank you to our program sponsors!

Laffey McHugh Foundation (2023)
The M&T Bank Charitable Foundation (2024)

If you or your organization may be interested in sponsoring our Panda Cubs program, please reach out to the Curator of Conservation Education at [email protected]
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