We Bought a Zoo (Film Tie-in): The amazing true story of a broken-down zoo, and the 200 animals that changed a family forever

(Paperback)

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A film tie-in edition to 20th Century Foxs film adaptation of the heart-warming international bestseller starring Scarlett Johansson and Matt Damon and directed by Oscar-winning director Cameron Crowe.
An amazing true story that has inspired the major Hollywood motion picture this Christmas, to be repackaged for release alongside the film. We Bought a Zoo is about one young family, a broken down zoo, and the wild animals that changed their lives forever. When Ben [played by Damon] and his wife Katherine [played by Johansson] sold their small flat in Primrose Hill, upped sticks with their children and invested their savings into a dilapidated zoo on the edge of Dartmoor, they were prepared for a challenge and a momentous change in all their lives. With over 200 exotic animals to care for including an African lion, a wolf pack, a Brazilian tapir and a jaguar Bens hands, and those of his wife, children and tiny team of keepers, were full.

What they werent prepared for was Katherines devastating second brain cancer diagnosis. Ben found himself juggling the daunting responsibilities of managing the parks staff and finances, while holding the bailiffs at bay and caring for his wife.

A moving and entertaining story of courage and a familys attempts to rebuild a zoo, and carry on after Katherines tragic death.

Reviews

DAILY MAIL
Mee writes most movingly about his wifes fatal illness, his children coming to terms with this, his sprightly old mum and, of course, his 200 wild animals in all their diverse glory.

THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH
We Bought a Zoo by Mee is a genuinely heartwarming true story of triumph over devastating events.

SHORTLIST
An engaging tale from someone who dared to do something different.

THE WESTERN DAILY PRESS
One of the most inspiring books Ive read.

INTERNATIONAL ZOO NEWS
Hard to put down.

ABERDEEN PRESS & JOURNAL
****
Most people who spotted the advert appealing for new owners for an ailing zoo would not even have considered the possibility. Much more likely, they would have dismissed the idea out of hand. But one adventurous family saw a challenge and were prepared to meet it head on.

Author Bio

A former bricklayer and decorator, Benjamin Mee began to study and write about animal intelligence, reading psychology at UCL and then completing an MSc in Science Journalism at Imperial College. Benjamin became a contributing editor to Mens Health magazine and a Guardian columnist, and then moved to Southern France, and began writing a book on the Evolution of Humour in Man and Animals. Then the zoo came up for sale, and everything changed.