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Abrakazebra
Amberek. Abrakazebra
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2015
67 people want to read
About the author
Helen Docherty
32 books43 followersHelen Docherty is an internationally published author of many rhyming picture books, including the highly acclaimed Someone Just Like You, illustrated by David Roberts. Helen's books have been translated into 27 languages and staged as plays and musicals for children, in the UK, Germany and Canada. She often collaborates with her husband, the illustrator and author Thomas Docherty, and together they have produced many award-winning picture books, including The Snatchabook, The Storybook Knight ( The Knight Who Wouldn't Fight), Superwolf, Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell, The Screen Thief and Blue Baboon Finds Her Tune. She has also collaborated with many other illustrators, most recently Daniela Sosa, Steven Lenton and Brizida Magro. Helen worked for many years as a language teacher in Mexico City and the UK before becoming an author. She also has an MA in Film and Television Production (Bristol University), which helped to develop her skills in crafting narrative. You can learn more about Helen, her books and story-writing workshops by visiting her website.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 12, 2015
Yawnalot is a sleepy town with not much to do except watch old Goat mending his fishing boat. But that all changes when the mysterious Abracazebra rolls into town and delights young and old with her amazing magic show day after day. With the attention now shifted away from him, Goat finds himself feeling jealous that the animals have become enamored with Abracazebra welcoming her in their town with open arms.
In a plot to rid the town of Abracazebra, Goat convinces everyone that animals with stripes cannot be trusted and stripes become banned in the town. With a heavy heart, Abracazebra is forced to leave the town that she has grown to love. Old Goat quickly realizes the mistake of his ways, but will it be too late to find Abracazebra and convince her to return?
Abracazebra is wonderful rhyming picture book with an important underlying message about jealousy and the consequences of acting out of jealousy. When the townspeople show enthusiasm toward Abracazebra and her magic show, Goat feels left out and begins to feel jealous of the attention the zebra is receiving. I immediately thought of how a child would feel when a new baby comes into a household and they are showered with attention leaving that child feeling rejected and alone. While feelings of jealousy are certainly normal, the message in the book is that sometimes people act on those feelings inappropriately hurting others around them.
The old Goat quickly perceived that convincing the other animals that stripes are bad was the wrong thing to do. Goat’s actions hurt Abracazebra who was forced to leave the town; the animals who were sad that their new friend left; and himself as he experienced feelings of guilt around his deceit. Goat then models the appropriate behavior by taking responsibility for his actions, tracking down Abracazebra, apologizing for his behavior, asking the zebra to return. All in all, the story contains many important life lessons around jealousy, deceit, and taking responsibility for your actions.
The illustrations featured in the story are absolutely gorgeous and are filled with magic and whimsy. The book features a number of detailed full page illustrations as well as smaller ones scattered throughout the book. Kids will enjoy leafing through the book, examining the pictures spotting the many, many details. We all delighted in the illustrations.
My Bottom Line:
Abracazebra is a delightful rhyming picture book featuring a fun collection of animal characters, whimsical illustrations, and important underlying messages about jealousy and celebrating diversity. This book would make a great read-aloud book in an early elementary classroom or library circle and I highly recommend it to children ages 4 to 8.
* This book was provided to me through the Book Depository Book Review Programme free-of-charge in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. *
In a plot to rid the town of Abracazebra, Goat convinces everyone that animals with stripes cannot be trusted and stripes become banned in the town. With a heavy heart, Abracazebra is forced to leave the town that she has grown to love. Old Goat quickly realizes the mistake of his ways, but will it be too late to find Abracazebra and convince her to return?
Abracazebra is wonderful rhyming picture book with an important underlying message about jealousy and the consequences of acting out of jealousy. When the townspeople show enthusiasm toward Abracazebra and her magic show, Goat feels left out and begins to feel jealous of the attention the zebra is receiving. I immediately thought of how a child would feel when a new baby comes into a household and they are showered with attention leaving that child feeling rejected and alone. While feelings of jealousy are certainly normal, the message in the book is that sometimes people act on those feelings inappropriately hurting others around them.
The old Goat quickly perceived that convincing the other animals that stripes are bad was the wrong thing to do. Goat’s actions hurt Abracazebra who was forced to leave the town; the animals who were sad that their new friend left; and himself as he experienced feelings of guilt around his deceit. Goat then models the appropriate behavior by taking responsibility for his actions, tracking down Abracazebra, apologizing for his behavior, asking the zebra to return. All in all, the story contains many important life lessons around jealousy, deceit, and taking responsibility for your actions.
The illustrations featured in the story are absolutely gorgeous and are filled with magic and whimsy. The book features a number of detailed full page illustrations as well as smaller ones scattered throughout the book. Kids will enjoy leafing through the book, examining the pictures spotting the many, many details. We all delighted in the illustrations.
My Bottom Line:
Abracazebra is a delightful rhyming picture book featuring a fun collection of animal characters, whimsical illustrations, and important underlying messages about jealousy and celebrating diversity. This book would make a great read-aloud book in an early elementary classroom or library circle and I highly recommend it to children ages 4 to 8.
* This book was provided to me through the Book Depository Book Review Programme free-of-charge in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. *
December 27, 2015
Why is this book so unpopular here?
It's such a great story! My child's favourite for the last few months. Even I was teary-eyed when read it for the first time.
Highly recommend for children of any age!
***5 stars***
It's such a great story! My child's favourite for the last few months. Even I was teary-eyed when read it for the first time.
Highly recommend for children of any age!
***5 stars***
June 27, 2017
Helen Dochertyn kuvakirjat ovat olleet meidän perheessä suuressa suosiossa riimitellyn kerronnan ja kauniin kuvituksensa ansiosta! Tässä kirjassa on oiva opetus suvaitsevaisuudesta; kuinka erilaisuus kohdataan ja millaisia tunteita se saattaa toisissa herättää. Kävimme oikein antoisan keskustelun esikoiseni kanssa kirjan tapahtumista lukuhetken jälkeen. Tässä on mielestäni hyvän lastenkirjallisuuden ydin; tarinasta saa opetuksen, siihen pystyy palaamaan vielä lukuhetken jälkeen ja se antaa lukemishetkessä sekä lukijalle että kuulijalle jotakin arvokasta.
February 6, 2015
Yawnalot’s a small town where not much used to happen.
Even so, crotchety old Goat’s the bighorn on campus, until “Abracazebra”
and her traveling magic show comes to town.
The townsfolk are enchanted not by her slight of hoof, but her inner charm and friendly nature.
Goat grows jealous the longer she stays, and when it looks like the zebra’s ready to settle down in Yawnalot,
he tries to turn the town against her, and succeeds!
Only to realize the real “magic” is friendship, and that there’s room for everyone to shine.
Helen’s rhyming prose doesn't skip a beat, and Thomas’s sprightly use of two-page spreads provides the reader a flowing reading experience that makes it prime read-aloud material.
-Reversion of the original review at TalkingAnimalAddicts.com
Even so, crotchety old Goat’s the bighorn on campus, until “Abracazebra”
and her traveling magic show comes to town.
The townsfolk are enchanted not by her slight of hoof, but her inner charm and friendly nature.
Goat grows jealous the longer she stays, and when it looks like the zebra’s ready to settle down in Yawnalot,
he tries to turn the town against her, and succeeds!
Only to realize the real “magic” is friendship, and that there’s room for everyone to shine.
Helen’s rhyming prose doesn't skip a beat, and Thomas’s sprightly use of two-page spreads provides the reader a flowing reading experience that makes it prime read-aloud material.
-Reversion of the original review at TalkingAnimalAddicts.com
June 24, 2021
Thomas Dochertys Illustrationen sind sehr ausdrucksstark und treffen sehr genau einen Punkt zwischen traditionellen Kinderillustrationen aus der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts und moderneren Stilen. Die Geschichte ist eine altbekannte aber solide erzählte Parabel über Fremdenhass (der Hassende sieht seinen Fehler selbst ein) und natürlich leben die handelnden Tiere wie immer in einer prä-kapitalistischen Welt (oder will das sesshafte Zebra wirklich dauerhaft von Zaubershows leben? Wie lange wird das wohl gut gehen? "She is an extra mouth to feed" ist eins der Gerüchte, die Widersacher Ziege streut). Etwas misslungen ist die deutsche Übersetzung der Reime, die hier und da sprachlich holpert und zwischendurch unversehens Reimschema und Metrum wechselt - auch die Tatsache, dass Abrakazebra eine "sie" ist, geht in der Übersetzung verloren.
November 18, 2019
Cute story about a traveling magician zebra, who bring some fun and color to "Nichtsviellos" (Not-a-lot-going-on), but is banded by the jealous goat leader - until he realizes his mistake. Read for yourself to find out what happens. :)
Note: I found the German rhymes did not always roll off my tongue (although I am also not a native speaker). Perhaps the original version is better. My kids still throughly enjoyed it.
Note: I found the German rhymes did not always roll off my tongue (although I am also not a native speaker). Perhaps the original version is better. My kids still throughly enjoyed it.
March 8, 2018
Ik las dit boek als een voorleesboekje bij het project 'Boekenkaravaan'.
November 14, 2021
My kid love this book ❤️
March 27, 2020
What a cute magical story for children. Would recommend it to every child who likes to be enchanted and loves animals.
Love Lakhi
Love Lakhi
July 3, 2015
Een mooi, invoelend verhaal - met goede afloop - dat goed laat zien wat pesten en roddelen voor gevolgen heeft. In zijn eentje kan 'ouwe Geit' een heel dorp tegen een vreemdeling opzetten. Gelukkig wordt ook getoond wat de gevolgen zijn en hoe je het akelige gedrag recht kunt zetten.
Dit klinkt allemaal een beetje zwaar maar dat is het verhaal totaal niet. In de tekst is namelijk vanaf het begin duidelijk dat alleen ouwe Geit zo'n jaloerse 'vent' is. De rest van de dorpelingen zijn hartelijk en vriendelijk tegen de vreemdeling in hun dorp.
Verder zorgen de afbeeldingen ook voor een vrolijke en sprankelende indruk, zelfs als Abracazebra weggepest is blijven de afbeeldingen toch hun speelse karakter houden.
Hoewel het oorspronkelijke Engelse boek op rijm is, is de Nederlandse tekst dat niet, dat is jammer maar beter een goedlopende niet rijmende Nederlandse tekst dan een kromme, hakkelende rijmende tekst. Deze tekst is veel vloeiender en beter bewerkt dan de tekst in 'Het boekenliefje' van dezelfde schrijver en illustrator en is in duidelijke letters afgedrukt. Het verhaal zelf bestaat uit korte zinnen die prettig voorlezen.
De afbeeldingen zijn fantasierijk en in warme kleuren gemaakt, er valt enorm veel op te ontdekken.
Al met al een erg prettig en aantrekkelijk kinderboek.
Dit klinkt allemaal een beetje zwaar maar dat is het verhaal totaal niet. In de tekst is namelijk vanaf het begin duidelijk dat alleen ouwe Geit zo'n jaloerse 'vent' is. De rest van de dorpelingen zijn hartelijk en vriendelijk tegen de vreemdeling in hun dorp.
Verder zorgen de afbeeldingen ook voor een vrolijke en sprankelende indruk, zelfs als Abracazebra weggepest is blijven de afbeeldingen toch hun speelse karakter houden.
Hoewel het oorspronkelijke Engelse boek op rijm is, is de Nederlandse tekst dat niet, dat is jammer maar beter een goedlopende niet rijmende Nederlandse tekst dan een kromme, hakkelende rijmende tekst. Deze tekst is veel vloeiender en beter bewerkt dan de tekst in 'Het boekenliefje' van dezelfde schrijver en illustrator en is in duidelijke letters afgedrukt. Het verhaal zelf bestaat uit korte zinnen die prettig voorlezen.
De afbeeldingen zijn fantasierijk en in warme kleuren gemaakt, er valt enorm veel op te ontdekken.
Al met al een erg prettig en aantrekkelijk kinderboek.
June 2, 2015
A zebra magician turns a sleepy little town upside down! Well traveled Zebra takes her traveling magic act on the road to Yawnalot and sets up a magic show, performs amazing tricks and impresses most. Except Goat, who is not impressed and instead spreads untrue rumors to make Zevra feel unwelcome. After she leaves the town is glum and Goat begins to regret his actions. Will he be able to find Abracazebra and being her back?! This is a great story about friendship, acceptance and the importance of including others, accepting them and appreciating their differences! The illustrations by Thomas Docherty are incredibly vibrant and colorful and detailed. Every page is eye-catching fun! The very relate-able story by Helen Docherty sends good messages for kids; there will always be a new kid in class who is exciting and different and diverse…and the best thing to always do is welcome them in and let them spice up your world with new flavors!! Read more at www.diapers-and-daydreams.com !
March 4, 2015
Abracazebra is different and bright and magical and when she shows up in the village of Yawnalot everybody is pleased and amazed except the old goat who used to be the centre of attention. When the old goat spreads seeds of doubt among the other villagers about Abracazebra they make her so unwelcome she leaves. Then the old goat has a few doubts himself.(Thank goodness!)
This is a lovely story with a great but gentle lesson about the way we treat other people who may be different to us.
This is a lovely story with a great but gentle lesson about the way we treat other people who may be different to us.
April 17, 2016
The authors of The Snatchabook bring the same charming illustrations and fun-to-read-aloud rhymes to this book, with the added bonus of a story that tackles important the topics of jealousy, social exclusion, discrimination, and making amends. We've currently borrowed this one from the library, but Violet has requested that we put it on our wish list for future purchase. It's a lovely book.
June 7, 2015
This book celebrate diversity while incorporating rhyme. Great read for the elementary classroom!
September 15, 2016
The illustrations have so much detail and are very colourful. I have to say I think this could be one of my favourite children's books. One to read again and again.
November 4, 2023
Tolle Geschichte für Kinder ab 4 Jahren
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews