Children’s books have the power to spark imagination, teach important life lessons, and create lasting memories. The Twinkl GeWiZz series does just that, transporting young readers to the vast plains of Southern Africa with three unforgettable characters—Geraldine Giraffe, Wilber Wildebeest, and Zenia Zebra.
We had the opportunity to speak with Joanne Stead, the creative mind behind this beloved series, to learn more about her inspiration, creative process, and the impact these stories have on early childhood development.
The Inspiration Behind Twinkl GeWiZz
For Joanne, the idea for the Twinkl GeWiZz series was born out of her love for overlanding trips across Southern Africa.
“I love watching the game as they go about their ‘daily business,’ observing their habits,” she shares. “Every now and then, they do something strange or funny, and that sparks my imagination.”
One such moment of inspiration came during a game walk in Botswana, where she observed a herd of zebras, some wildebeest, and a lone giraffe. Seeing these animals together in the wild, she wondered what it would be like if they were friends—each bringing their unique strengths and personalities to the group. And just like that, Geraldine, Wilber, and Zenia were born.
Lessons Woven into Every Story
Beyond the entertaining adventures, each Twinkl GeWiZz book carries an important message. Whether it’s friendship, problem-solving, or perseverance, Joanne carefully selects themes that resonate with young readers.
“I pick up on issues that young children face daily,” she explains. “Children often find it difficult to express their feelings, but seeing their emotions played out by animals may help them open up.”
One example is GeWiZz at the Waterhole, inspired by an actual sighting of a young elephant struggling to reach a reservoir. The book teaches perseverance and the importance of asking for help—concepts children can relate to in their own lives.
Bringing the Stories to Life
Writing isn’t the only part of the creative journey—illustrations play a huge role in engaging young readers. Joanne is full of praise for illustrator Hayley Callopy, who has helped bring the Twinkl GeWiZz characters to life.
“It’s as if she’s in my head,” Joanne says. “I’m always amazed at how she captures their feelings in their facial expressions.”
By pairing meaningful stories with captivating artwork, the series encourages children to connect with the characters and their emotions.
Supporting Literacy and Emotional Growth
The Twinkl GeWiZz series is more than just bedtime stories—it’s a tool for literacy development and emotional education.
“The importance of reading daily cannot be stressed enough,” Joanne says. “Being read to sparks imagination, helps with creative writing, and builds vocabulary. Children often don’t have the words to express their feelings, but books like these give them a way to explore and understand emotions.”
Through engaging storytelling, the series also serves as a conversation starter between children, parents, and teachers—helping to address topics like loneliness, friendship, and resilience in a way that feels natural and relatable.
What’s Next for Twinkl GeWiZz?
Joanne’s passion for storytelling isn’t slowing down anytime soon. With three new books in the works and an upcoming trip to Zimbabwe, more adventures for Geraldine, Wilber, and Zenia are on the horizon.
When asked to sum up the Twinkl GeWiZz series in just three words, Joanne’s response is simple yet powerful:
“Funny Life Lessons.”
Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming bedtime story, a tool for teaching important values, or a beautifully illustrated journey into the African wilderness, the Twinkl GeWiZz series has something special to offer.
Want to explore the adventures of Geraldine, Wilber, and Zenia? Check out the Twinkl website to find these books and more!
Learn more: https://www.twinkl.co.za/l/17wjho
The company provides high quality, online learning materials and services, which are all teacher-created and checked.
Twinkl offers over 1 million resources, with new content added daily. This ranges from schemes of work and assessments to augmented reality games and much more.
Twinkl is used and trusted by schools and educators in over 200 countries and regions, including primary and secondary school teachers, nursery workers and parents.
Twinkl has over 1400 team members based in its two Sheffield offices and remotely around the globe, including a large team in South Africa.
More information can be found at twinkl.co.za
Our story:
The idea for Twinkl came to Jonathan and Susie Seaton when Susie was working as an Early Years teacher and couldn’t find the materials she needed for her lessons online. As a result, Susie was working evenings and weekends to make resources from scratch.
Speaking to colleagues and friends, the couple found that Susie was not alone in her situation. So, to help other teachers, they began creating and publishing educational resources online from their spare bedroom.
The business grew quickly and organically as educators embraced the high-quality materials. The team grew quickly too, with current and former teachers, as well as experts in content and design soon joining Jonathan and Susie in their mission 'to help those who teach.'
Jonathan and Susie are delighted that Twinkl is now taking this mission across the world, returning time and energy to educators that is better spent in the classroom with their pupils or on themselves at home.
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