A beloved children's book will come alive on stage for the first time in Basingstoke.

Rod Campbell's 'Dear Zoo' will be performed at The Haymarket for three shows on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29.

The show, produced by NLP Ltd and directed by Brad Fitt, is based on the popular lift-the-flap book first published in 1982 by Rod Campbell.

The book has sold more than 13 million copies worldwide.

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Dear Zoo will be on stage at The Haymarket in October (Image: Anvil Arts) The show is suitable for children aged two and over and will use puppets, original music, and audience interaction to bring the book to life.

Campbell said: "I can hardly believe that Dear Zoo has celebrated its 42nd anniversary and I really am enormously touched and delighted that successive generations of young children continue to love Dear Zoo - their obvious pleasure when interacting with it is so gratifying to see, and for me is the very greatest of compliments."

The audience will watch as the characters write to the zoo, eagerly awaiting their new pet, and will be introduced to a cheeky monkey, a jumpy frog, and of course, a perfect puppy.

The show aims to help children learn as the book leaps onto the stage.

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Campbell is known as a master of interactive storytelling and an expert in early learning for pre-schoolers.

His books have been a staple on family bookshelves and in early years' classrooms for decades.

He has created more than 200 books for children.

Tickets for the show are priced at £19, with tickets for under 16s priced at £17.

This includes a £4 booking fee.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244 or by visiting anvilarts.org.uk.

The show will run alongside Milkshake! Live, which will be performed at The Haymarket on Sunday, October 27, for two performances at 12noon and 3.30pm.