Stripes

by Lea C. Maryanow

Am I a white zebra with black stripes or a black zebra with white stripes?" asks Zebra. Zebra cannot find the answer to this question alone, so it asks eight animals in the African savannah if they know the answer it seeks. Each animal answers with its own, unique personality, yet leaves Zebra with no satisfactory answer. Just when Zebra wants to give up, it remembers what Lion had answered him as he had scared Zebra away because Lion sees meat and isn't concerned with color like Zebra. Because Zebra was afraid of becoming Lion's lunch when it met him, Zebra didn't fully appreciate Lion's answer. Eventually, Lion's words surprise Zebra and the reader with answering Zebra's question-it doesn't matter if Zebra is primarily black OR primarily white. What matters is that it is equally black AND white.

Genres: Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

Published January 21, 2023

Reviews

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable Zebra visits many equally cute animal friends, intent on discovering more about their fur. The book's graphic panels are easy to follow for young readers and will engage them with the repetition and lively illustrations. Kids will enjoy guessing along and laugh at the silly replies from the animals.

[Katey Howes]

Stripes uses repetition, humor, and engaging voice to build reader interest and engagement. As the zebra travels from friend to friends, trying to answer the question "am I white with black stripes, or black with white stripes?" we see him get frustrated, confused, and even almost eaten by a lion. The resolution is a bit open-ended and may lead older readers to keep asking questions. Readers of all ages will enjoy the illustrations of a variety of wild animals, each with plenty of personality.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRIPES is a picture book about a zebra experiencing an identity crisis because of the way he looks.

Zebra’s wants to know if he is white with black stripes or black with white stripes. He hopes his neighbors in the African savanna can tell him the answer.

Author/illustrator Lea C. Maryanow uses repetition and humor as Zebra asks other animals what he is. Owl wants to research before answering, and turtle is taking way too long. A lion’s answer causes Zebra to run off, but will it also make Zebra slow down and finally decide for himself?

Zebra’s striped coat pops against each spread’s different colored background. Young readers can easily follow the dialogue in well-placed, brightly colored word balloons.

Want to support the writer and many others who brought this book to life? Borrow and/or buy the book, ask your local bookstore/library to purchase copies, and share your review of the book online.

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story uses repetition and humor as Zebra asks many other animals to help him decide whether he's a black zebra with white stripes or a white zebra with black stripes. I liked that each animal's different personality came through in their answers, some of which were quite funny, such as Giraffe who throws the question back at Zebra -- "am I a tan giraffe with brown spots, or a brown giraffe with tan spots?" Ultimately Lion inadvertently helps Zebra realize that it doesn't matter, he is first and foremost a zebra with BOTH kinds of stripes. Kids will enjoy the colorful illustrations and all the different animals Zebra encounters on his journey.

[Tracy LaMar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great book for children (and their grown ups alike!). It's a great story to help start conversations with kiddos about different and unique personalities, and how to converse with folks that have different personalities than you. Kids will LOVE the fun illustrations and witty banter/dialogue between the Zebra and the rest of the animals. It's also a story about finding your identity and loving yourself - great lessons for young minds to start pondering as early as possible!
A great read for everyone!

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRIPES, told in speech bubbles with vibrant colored illustrations, is a fresh take on introducing animals of the African savanna. In addition to Zebra, we meet animals such as Owl, Giraffe, and Elephant. Zebra has a perplexing problem: Is he a black zebra with white stripes or a white zebra with black stripes. Each animal uniquely reacts to the question including Lion who wouldn't care what color Zebra's black and white stripes were. There is a fun, twist ending to help Zebra solve his problem.

[Laura Gehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The striking illustrations were what stood out to me most about this fun book-especially the depictions of Zebra and Zebra's expressions! As Zebra talks to different animals, trying to find out whether he is a black zebra with white stripes or a white zebra with black stripes, none of the other animals are any help! But finally zebra realizes that he is a zebra first--a zebra who happens to have white and black stripes. An interesting message for children to ponder...we are all people first, who happen to have different colored skin, eyes, and hair, and other outer differences.

[Robynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fun story follows Zebra as they try to figure out exactly what/who they are - black with white stripes or white with black stripes. I love the humour and the range of answers that Zebra gets from each of their friends. The frustration and annoyance comes jumping off the page as they wrestle with their question, a feeling I recognise from my own children when they are not getting the answers they wanted! The illustrations are unique and eye-catching and really grab the readers. I can highly recommend!

[Chelsea DiCicco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cute Story About Colors
Zebra isn't sure who he is. Is he a white zebra with black stripes or a black zebra with white stripes? Determined to find out, he asks the other animals around. But no one can give him an answer that makes him happy. A cute story about colors, filled with bright fun illustrations that lend great to the topic! Great story for families with toddlers or other young readers.

[Beverly Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever story with colorful art. A curious zebra notices something about himself which he can't quite explain so he seeks the answer from others. No one can give him the answer he needs until the king of the savannah speaks which leads Zebra to discover his answer. I think this story will be a jumping off spot for little ones to discuss some of their questions with the one they read the story with. A great book for a little one's library.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stripes!
BOTH my kids and I are loving this read. Between the fun loving main character to all the other characters of diversity we meet along the way (much like in life) Stripes is a must for any home library.
I love how Lea gives each animal character a different personality type based on the Ennegram. It was so fun to try and guess which number each animal was representing through the entire read.
A book you wont mind coming back to read over and over again.

[Julia Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will enjoy the journey of this zebra who isn't quite sure who he is: a black zebra with white stripes or a white zebra with black stripes? Along the way, the reader meets a series of animal friends, some funny, some frustrating, but all nudging him toward the right answer. The book could be a great way for parents to start a discussion with young kids about how different people see things in different ways. And how sometimes there may not be one answer to their questions.

[Susan]

Written in the spirit of a modern fable, STRIPES explores identity as Zebra asks eight animals on the African savannah if he is white with black stripes or black with white stripes. Each responds in manner appropriate to their species (Lion threatens to eat him, Butterfly seems flighty, etc.) until Chameleon finally helps Zebra see things from another perspective. Lea C. Maryann's simple text pairs well with the bold and colorful illustrations.

[Roxanne Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this important book about identity, Zebra wants to know, essentially, 'what am I?' Told in a clever and insightful way, Zebra goes through the animal kingdom, and all the different animals with distinct and funny personalities, to discover the answer. This book is a wonderful way to approach the topic of what makes us who we are. There is empathy mixed with insight and lots of laughter, distilling a complex topic into lots of fun for young readers. 

[Kelly Birdsong · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRIPES takes you on a journey through the savanna in Africa as a zebra tries to find out the color of his stripes. Follow along with this fun story as the zebra meets a host of animals along the way. Their funny banter is cute and humorous, and the vibrant illustrations are engaging. This book is a great addition to anyone's library!

[Kari Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the burning hot Sahara, Zebra has a burning hot question- what color are his stripes? Zebra visits a myriad of friends to untangle this mystery until a surprising answer helps Zebra see themselves a little more clearly. Vibrant illustrations dance off the page and bring already colorful characters to life in this must have book.

[Shari Busek · Rating 5 out of 5]

There our many kids book out there (we have most of them). After reading Stripes with my 7 year old she enjoyed it so much that it motivated her to read it herself. She says it’s her favorite book and Lea Maryanow is her favorite author. I highly recommend this book because it inspired my daughter to read. Thank you for creating this book and I pray for more to come.

[Karen Nespoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zebra has a question. Am I a white zebra with black stripes or a black zebra with white stripes? He enlists the help of animals from the African Savanna to help him find the answer. Each of the animals has their own personality which adds to the fun of reading this story. It is a great read aloud story that children will want to you to read over and over again.

[Alyssa Londono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lea took us on a fun, joyful adventure where we got to follow Zebra in his self discovery. This is such an important topic for children and one that I have no seen many picture books on. On top of the beautifully written story, the illustrations were so bright and vivid. I read this book multiple times because i enjoyed it that much!

[Marilyn Creel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zebras are amazing animals…but what are they? Black with white stripes or white with black stripes? Taking such a simple question author Leah Maryanow weaves a conversation about how we see each other as “either or”…or could it really be “both and”? This is a wonderful book for young and mature readers alike as it tackles current topics in a very accessible and winsome way.

[Morissa Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a backdrop of a range of different colors and a cast of animal characters, “Stripes” is the story of Zebra’s quest to find out who he really is. Each animal he meets along the way answers him in a way that’s reflective of who they are. Through those meetings, Zebra figures out something about himself.

[Teresa Traver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children who love animals will appreciate this colorful story about a zebra with an identify crisis. Zebra asks the age-old question "Am I a black zebra with white stripes or a white zebra with black stripes?" and gets a whole slew of answers, ranging from wise to completely irrelevant. In the end, it's the grumpiest of the animals who helps zebra find an answer.

[Joan Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable story of Zebra, who's looking to define who he is but is having trouble - each of the animals he asks to help him gives an answer that makes sense to them, but doesn't help him with his question. Until his answer comes along when he least expects it! Cute illustrations and fun interactions between the animals!

[Sharon Giltrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zebra wants to know who he is and goes on a journey to find out. Asking all the animals along the way, until he finally gets the answer he is looking for. A cute cumulative tale about finding out who you are. I love the comic strip (or is it stripe) like illustrations and bold contrasting colours (wait is black and white a colour)? Oh no another question!

[Heather Stigall]

Join Zebra as he goes on a journey to discover his identity. He asks everyone in the African savanna whether he is a black zebra with white stripes or a white zebra with black stripes. Each has their own opinion, and, ultimately, Zebra (and the reader) will need to come to their own conclusion. The best thing about this book are the illustrations which are engaging and adorable!

[Kimberly Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes us on a humorous journey with a zebra who wants to know if his stripes are white or black. Along the way, we meet other African animals who have distinct personalities and try to help (or eat!) Zebra. Colorful illustrations and comic-style layout add to the fun in this book! Kids will get a kick out of the twist in the end too!

[Remington Lamons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stripes is a clever book that takes a look at the types of people in this world, and how each might respond to a request for help. Told with sparse language and colorful illustrations, this book shows that the question "who am I?" isn't always answered by a kindly parent or an encouraging fairy godmother.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cutest zebra ever asks an existential question: Black on white or white on black? One by the one on different colored backgrounds, the other jungle animals cannot come up with any answers - until Lion sets things straight.

[Annie Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I really enjoyed reading this book. Following Zebra on his journey to get the answer to a very important question was fun and interesting! We loved all the different creatures and that they each had a unique approach to the question. Read this book, you will love it!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and colorful, STRIPES is a romp through the savanna with an inquisitive Zebra questioning its identity. The bright, bold color palette makes the illustrations pop, and graphic novel paneling is used well throughout the story. A fun read!