Jubilee Celebrations for Zuma

My very own crown

 I just love a jolly good ol’ knees up and although I am an expat, I never like to miss the opportunity to celebrate my culture. This weekend’s jubilee celebrations are the perfect opportunity to bring out the Britishness that we all know and love that resides in myself and all people of Great Britain. Street parties, community gatherings and getting to know our neighbours. So, with that in mind, I will don my crown, bring out my bunting and fly my flag in anticipation of a good time!  

Weeks and weeks of preparation have gone into this weekend. Probably years even. Well, 70 of them if you want to be precise, and as a part of these celebrations I have decided to release Platinum Jubilee activity colouring in sheets to honour The Queen’s 70 years of service. I’ve never actually met the queen, have you? Though, I do have friends who have and once my Hooman rubbed shoulders with a real princess once, so I am told. Anyhoos, the activity sheets are available to download for free from the activities page on my super cool new website. Click on the Colouring In button, scroll down a little and you’ll see them right there. Click on the download button, and save. 

Designed for younglings these worksheets can be printed, but I believe its a good idea to save them to a digital device where they can be coloured in time and time again - digitally. It's better for the environment too, but if you want to make your own bunting from them, then printing is the best option. 

Unless you want to hang up your device as a decoration too?

Free to download

See, they are so versitile and guaranteed to keep little ones occupied long enough to allow you to sneak off for a cheeky slice of Vicki sponge or that extra dollop of clotted cream on a freshly baked scone.

Yuuuuhuuummm! My mouth is salivating thinking about all that yumminess. Yummies I'm not really allowed to eat. Think there's going to be a lot of begging eyes and sneaking around under the table for food droppings and an antisipated tummy ache. Nom nom nom.

All of us at my HQ hope you have a wonderful time. Eat, party and be merry. Enjoy this special bank holiday and Happy Platinum Day your Majesty. 

Much Love

Zuma XX

via GIPHY

SMALL DOG GROWS BIGGER

 

Second concession shop opens for Zuma the Dog

Brand creator of Zuma the Dog and company director Samantha Bertish made an exciting visit to their second concession store at Pop Up Leatherhead in Surrey last week. Working closely with Mole Valley District Council, the Pop-up Leatherhead initiative is the second in a series of shops oraganised by The Pop-Up Shop Agents that aims to bring small brands into the high street who wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity. With a bright, modern interior, the shop creators bring a luxury feel to their customers shopping experience and, by bringing in exciting new brands it aims to increase footfall to rejuvenate high streets after what has been a devastating blow to many established high street brands over the past years.  

After the success of the Horsham store at the end of 2021 Zuma the Dog will be appearing in the new Leatherhead shop for the next three months, bringing his usual bright and happy products with him. Samantha Bertish spent the day in store to meet the shop managers, check on products and make sure everything in their concession conformed to all company branding. The shopping experience remains the same as Zuma the Dog combines conventional shopping with tech demands and with an exciting new website set to launch in the next month, the brand expects to grow with new licensed on demand products via its online and bricks and mortar shopping experiences.

“This store looks amazing, bright and modern.” Said Bertish. “The High Street location brings a lot of footfall and I can already see people’s interests are peaked by the store front and window display. It was lovely to spend the day with the store managers and other concession licensees, getting to know them and other products in store with Zuma. I’m also proud to be able to be a part of this initiative for a second time. I’m so grateful to The Pop-Up Shop Agents for all their hard work in bringing this project to life. Can’t wait to get stuck in with the next Pop-Up Shop project , wherever that may be.” 

The New Pop-Up Leatherhead shop opened in The Swan Center on the 18^th March, and Zuma the Dog will be available to visit in store over the next 3 months.

For licensees who want to collaborate with Zuma the Dog on new products for the shop and new website, please contact Brand Manager Sarah Ann Camp at sarah@contagiousmediagroup.com

 

Small Dog's Big Book Release

 

A bittersweet thought came over mummy just last week as grief reared its sad little head once again, for a brief moment. An email popped into her inbox with the final proof for the cover of our long awaited book and with excitement she wanted to share the moment with those who had been along with her on this journey since the beginning.

“Mum would love to see this, I’ll call her and tell her.” She thought with excitement. “It seems like ages since the last time I spoke to her. I wonder how she’s doing?”

Then the pang in her chest thumped and tears welled in her eyes as she remembered - We lost Nanny Zuma the Dog three months ago.

Nanny was the best supporter of me, and of course why wouldn’t she? I’m the awesomest! She loved me, looked after me when Mummy was off gallivanting and best of all, she loved my stories. The first of which is now being published and due for release before Christmas. Zuma and the Jack Pack is a compelling story of me in Portugal. A journey that went from disaster to love with a little adventure along the way. I learnt a few lessons in loyalty, friendship, and loss. I found strength in sadness, overcame trauma and became something I thought impossible until then. which is probably why I’m the best candidate for helping Mummy through her grief.

It’s so sad that while Mummy’s dreams as a published author are finally realised, Nanny is not here to see her daughters hard work come to fruition. I believe it will take more time as grief runs its course. The double-edged sword of excitement and sorrow will continue to twist for a while longer, refusing the wound to heal. But I truly believe it will, in time………….

The positive thing about this moment and despite all the other things going on in the world right now is, It’s happening! My new book. My first children’s novel. The first in a series is coming out soon and there are plenty of supporters and family members who know our story, know the difficulties we overcame. Who love us unconditionally. Who are proud of us and know the real-life experiences that inspired our book and they are here to celebrate this moment with us.

 

 

This moment is dedicated to you and Nanny Zuma the Dog.

 

Zuma and the Jack Pack by Samantha Bertish will be available to buy as paperback from all leading book retailers in the US, U.K, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand from November.

For licensing opportunities to accompany the book can be obtained through Sarah Camp at Weird Lime.

See you for the next adventure!

Much Love

Zuma XX

Beat the Boredom

It's been five weeks since we returned from our little trip to the UK and I haven't left the comfort of my home since, except for quick walks out in the forest opposite my home. While organised lessons have been set up by schools to keep us busy, there are only so many times I can run through my times tables, read books and bounce on the trampoline. The boredom is starting to set in, without a doubt.

PopJam post from this week

For those who know me, know I like to keep busy and being creative is one of those things that stop my mind from cooking. So, to help myself and you beat the boredom I've set various creative activities on my website. You can find them by clicking on my activity button at www.zumathedog.com. There's colouring in, crafting and sewing activities for all to join in and download for FREE. I love free, don't you?

I love to see what you are getting up to, so please remember to share with me on social media your creations and use #ZumaTheDogCreations with a chance for me to share.

 I'm defo looking forward to all those adventures once the lock down is lifted. How about you?

Until next time............stay safe and keep well.

Much Love

Zuma

XX

BACK TO SCHOOL

Showering in Old Faithful, Yellowstone

Is it back to school or back to work for you? We’ve had a wonderful vacation time and had the opportunity to see various parts of the world. Now the mornings are beginning to feel colder and there’s a hint of autumn in the air and it really is time to get our heads down and get back to work. Or should I say Mummy needs to get back to work, while I lay around all day staring at her. Just making sure she is working hard enough while cracking the occasional whip. 

Holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa

There’s lots coming up over the next few months and after my recent re brand and new look there’s new people added to Team Zuma the Dog. We welcome Sarah Camp from Weird Lime who is now our marketing, PR and licensing agent, along with Ruth Leonard from Hello Communication who is also working on Team Zuma. I am personally looking forward to them spending most of their waking hours thinking of me and I’m looking forward to working with them.

This brilliant team have years of experience working with well-known character brands and bringing them to market and their first big mission will be representing Zuma the Dog and Brand Licensing Europe, to be held and London's Olympia on the 9^th to 11^th October 2018. They have some fabulous ideas for licensing going forward that I’m sure all of you in the business will love to see.

My suggestion (and take that as more of a cheeky Zuma nudge (possibly with teeth)) 😉 is to make your appointment to see the team sooner rather than later.  

See you there!

Much Love

Zuma XX

SMALL DOG LEAPS ONTO WORLD STAGE

Brand owner, Samantha Morgan-Bertish is delighted to share with you a new kid’s digital platform and home of the forth coming Zuma the Dog and Friends digital series, which officially launched on 12th December 2016 called Kidscast.TV, an exciting safe child digital environment.

This exciting new platform provides access to well-known retro and new children shows from Little Monsters to Rainbow, along with brand new shows such as Zou, Boy and the Dinosaur, Sketch show Zuma the Dog and Friends and other names due to be published over the coming weeks.

 

“I am delighted to be a part of this exciting new project,” Says Samantha. “Even if it’s in a small way. We have discovered through this platform and licensing we can see Zuma the Dog leap from Children’s clothing brand to entertainment character and see our little Zuma character take centre stage in the world market. It’s very exciting stuff.”

The all fun children’s access area which is a member of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety will house homemade ‘make and do videos’ with new Kidscast presenters from cooking to crafts, Kidscast YouTube kids for exciting unboxing and toy reviews with well know toy brands already signed up, digital games, competitions and downloadable licensed character pages through the Redan license and brand new bespoke branded activity pages to showcase products and shows.

The website address is: www.kidscast.tv (App to be launched on both Android and Eos) or subscribe for free to the Kidscast You Tube Channel.

SMALL DOG PROUD TO WHERE NEW MEDAL

If Mummy says it's official then it must be. I will proudly wear my badge of honour on the front cover of my book. Here's what the press release had to say.

Award winning children’s brand Zuma the Dog announced as a finalist in Book Awards.

Brand owner Samantha Morgan-Bertish is celebrating this week after receiving the news that her book Zuma Likes to Dig, the first picture book in the pre-school series The Adventures of Zuma the Dog has been named a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards.

 Books for the award were read and judged by children in 8 UK primary and secondary schools, a book award that is judged by the people that matter with honest opinions and feedback.

“It’s official and I am delighted and honoured that we have been chosen as a finalist for this award. It means so much to me that my work and dog character, Zuma is enjoyed by so many children.”

Zuma the Dog kids brand was created in Somerset in 2009 inspired by the family pet and has been gaining strength in recent months with licensing deals including a clothing range and an online TV show.

All new editions of Zuma Likes to Dig will now bear its finalist medal on the front cover and Samantha continues to work on her new book in the latest series.

Search Samantha Bertish on Amazon to find all Zuma the Dog book releases. The Adventures of Zuma the Dog series is available to buy at all good book retailers.

Proudly showing our medal of honour from

The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards

The bilingual range all show our medal too

Did you know that our books were also available as bilingual stories? These special editions are only available direct from Diverze Publishing and can be ordered through them. Order today and get your child on the road to language learning.

Much Love

Zuma XX

Zuma's Summer Holibobs

Summer has arrived and we are most definitely ready for our holidays. Mummy and Master C are taking little stuffed Zuma away to Miami and Disney and because I can’t fly too far I’m going on my holidays to the farm down the road. I’m looking forward to spending most of my time playing with the other farm dogs and keeping busy all day. There are so many activities to do I´ll never get board.




Activity Pack fun for all the family

We love to do activities at home and Mummy has put together a new Zuma the Dog Activity Pack in partnership with Popagami to keep us busy on rainy days and lazy days in the house. Soon available to buy exclusively online this cute little pack contains 12 large and 12 small full colour Zuma’s and 12 large and 12 small black and white Zuma’s that you can colour in and create your own version of Zuma the Dog. Priced at just £3.50 we can guarantee you’ll have lots of fun! Take a look online now.

 

Next week, I’m sure I’ll receive lots of texts from Mummy with photos of Master C and Stuffed Zuma having lots of fun. I’ll be sure to share them with you as they happen. Keep an eye on my social media including our super fun Instagram to keep up to date with their antics abroad.

Happy summer holidays

Much Love

Zuma xx

 

 

Summer Holidays

 

Zuma is off having a wonderful time running around the Quinta of his trainer Altino with his other dog buddies and enjoying his summer vacation, so while he is having so much fun. I am left to fill in his work obligation which means writing his blog for this edition.

We visited Zuma yesterday to see how he was getting on and it turns out he’s loving every moment and Altino tells us he is the best behaved dog there. I find that hard to believe, but we are happy that he is calm and relaxed and having a nice time.

Zuma with his Trainer Altino. Loving his holiday time

We are now moving into summer holiday time and we all start to think about what we are going to do with our little ones to keep them occupied during these 6 weeks. For many you will be going on vacation to a sunny resort with family, maybe summer camp is calling, but for most the summer holidays are a time where we can spend time with our kids, choose fun activity and play outside (weather permitting).

We at Zuma the Dog HQ are working away creating new product ideas and designing new ranges to keep you all up with the latest styles and kids trends, but while all this is going on we have also found some time to search for and recommend some activities you can do if the weather changes and need something to do indoors.

We have listed five of our favourites.

1.       Colouring-in crazy? Visit www.zumathedog.com and click on “print & colour” to download free our simple Zuma the dog characters

2.       For creative indoor fun you can download for free our Zuma the dog pop-ette with pals. Go to www.zumathedog.com and click on “print & colour” to see our Popagami Zuma the Dog to colour in and make.

3.       Love Popagami? We recommend you go to www.popagami.com  where you can download full colour versions of Zuma the Dog and other characters to make and create plays and stories with.

4.       We love Tilly and Tam. Doggy friends of Zuma with new stories every week and games to play check out www.tillyandtam.com/playtime/

5.        Lots of free download able craft fun here at http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/crafts

We certainly know that Zuma is playing outside and has gathered together a football team with his other dog buddies. As he is having such a wonderful time I am wondering whether he will want to come home.

Enjoy your summer holidays and play safe whatever you do.

Much Love

Sam (Zuma’s Mummy)

XX

zuma

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zuma-the-Dog/105101743853?ref=ts

Who would have believed that buying children's clothes would have been anything but a joy. Most primary schools have some sort of uniform that they avoided when most of us were young, meaning that the little darlings don't need half of what they once did.
So why is it that boys' and girls' clothes lack the sort of vibrancy and variety that we want in every other part of our children's lives. It's almost as if a uniform imposed on them in the schools is now being imposed on them by the stores, too. Boys have their colours, girls have theirs and both follow the regimented designs of the High Street.

There is another way, by checking out http://www.zumathedog.com/ where the woofilicious new wonder in children's fashion has a range of t-shirts, jeans, hoodies and accessories in colours that will stand out among the drab boys' and garish girls' colours