How the Zebra Got Its Stripes

by Justine Korman Fontes, Ron Fontes, Peter Grosshauser (Illustrator)

As a group of African animals hang out at the local watering hole, they share funny stories about how the zebra got its stripes. At the end of the book, fun facts explain why zebras really have stripes. For any child intrigued by zebras, this colorful, informative book is a must!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Animals

24 pages, Hardcover

First published June 11, 2002

About the author

Justine Korman is the author of over 600 children's books, including mega-selling adaptations of Disney hits like THE LION KING, plus her original popular GRUMPY BUNNY series for Scholastic.

Justine has been writing all her life. She worked part-time in publishing while earning her B.A. in English Literature, Phi Beta Kappa from New York University. While an editorial assistant at Golden Books, she met her future husband and partner, Ron Fontes, an artist in the Whitman Comics department, who moved on to mighty Marvel Comics.

When Justine started getting freelance writing assignments, Ron pitched in and a children's book writing team was born! Ron brought visual storytelling, theatre, and history; Justine enthusiasm, humor, and a straight-A attitude.

In 1988, the couple moved to Maine, where they have written everything from beginning readers and novelty books to historical fiction and graphic novels.
Justine's hobbies include fitness, juggling, gardening, cooking, and playing the ukulele. She also enjoys making movies with Ron.

The prolific couple's goal is to write 1001 children's books.

Reviews

[Maxwell Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow wee!! “Cantankerous” and “ornery” those are some hard words for a little bubba! I loved the story and the voices mummy did were great!

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of animals take turns telling how the zebra got striped. Cute

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great book to read to children, but as a teacher I do not think I would read it to a class of mine. I think the book teaches some great lessons about rumors, and "word of mouth", because the plot line is trying to figure out how zebras got their stripes. There are a few reasons that can be related back to religion and I think that is a sticky subject when you are a teacher. The book does not push any certain religious views, but it would be something you may have to explain to students, it would be a personal call. A good way to read this book would to make different voices for the different animals and characters. The book is charming and has hints of humor in it. I would recommend, as this is a book my mom used to read to me, and my baby cousins are reading it now!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blueberry and I had a great time reading this book together. The story was entertaining and the illustrations were cute and funny.

The book contains African animals talking about how the zebra got its stripes (so the title is pretty spot on). After all the animals theories and the story concludes, there is some interesting zebra facts.

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice read about African American zebras who share the funny ways they earned their stripes. I used read aloud multiple times in my classroom during lessons. Some of the many ways were to teach the "th" digraph, identifying syllable patterns, finding past tense verbs, and identifying characters, plots, and settings.Or you can simply add it to your library for the kid's enjoyment.

[Tasneem Zafer · Rating 2 out of 5]

A silly story about how the zebra got the black stripes and how the cheeky baboon got the bare, red patch on the bottom. It doesn't make sense though but it's kind of funny.
no pain no gain! That's the message I got.
Kinda cute illustrations.

[Brenda Pritchard]

FOLK TALES:
This book is a different take on a folk tale. It tells how the zebra got its stripes. The book is recommended for young children ages 4-6. It is a good introduction to folk lore for young children.

[Huda Fel · Rating 1 out of 5]

قد يتسائل أغلب الأطفال عن كيفية حصول الحمار الوحشي على خطوط جسمه. يقول الكاتب أن السبب انتهاء الصبغة البيضاء والسوداء من عند الرجل الحكيم.. إجابة غير مقنعة، أعتقد أن الأطفال قد يجدونه سخيفاً، لا أدري

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny

[Abbi Kraus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book because it has creative aspects as well as facts! It's colorful and fun for kids.

[Kendra Schaefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is cute and funny. Children will enjoy the histarical ways the Zebras think they got their stripes, and in the end will learn the real reasons.

[Emerson and Theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fable-like African story. After hearing 4-5 implausible stories about how the zebra got his stripes, we settle on an evolutionary explanation. The only rational one. Excellent.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny, colourful book for the kids. They quite enjoyed it. Don’t know why they chose three stars - but that’s the rating they’ve given

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baboon gives the zebras paint to cool themselves down. According to Gazelle the zebras have stripes due to missing the Creator's party.

[Rosa Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about how Zebras got their stripes. Very informative and pretty charming.