Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Louisa
Children love Zebras because of their uniqueness. There is no other animal in the world that has the same pattern as the stripey zebra.
This makes them the perfect animal hero in a children’s book because they teach children to celebrate differences and that being unique can be beautiful.
If your child loves zebras or you’re looking for books about zebras to teach your kids about diversity, then you’ve come to the right place. These are the best zebra books for children of all ages, from chapter books to board books for toddlers.
So when you’re ready, go take a look!
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Books About Zebras for Children
Let’s begin this list with the classic books about zebras for children. These are both chapter books and colorful storybooks for children of all ages.
1. How the Zebra Got Its Stripes – Justine Fontes
This was one of my favorite books when I was a child because I simply loved the drawings. They were so detailed and colorful, I treasured them for ages.
I also found the story quite funny. It follows different beliefs about how the zebra got its stripes, from myths and legends to more scientific answers.
At the end of the book, there is the real answer to how the zebra got its stripes, but it’s interesting to read what different tribes believe.
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2. Z is for Moose – Kelly Bingham
Z is for Moose is a hilarious children’s book about zebras that teaches them their ABCs.
Zebra decided that the alphabet should be kept simple, with each letter belonging to an object. A for apple and B for ball.
Only his friend Moose is too excited to get to M. When Zebra does get to M and says “M is for mouse”, the Moose is livid!
The tale is funny and clever, offering themes of friendship, compromise, and sharing.
Complete with artwork from Paul O. Zelinsky, this is a hilarious zebra picture book that children will love for generations.
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3. Little Zebra – Julie Abery
Little Zebra is the story of a dancing, prancing, zebra who jumps without a care. That is until she loses her mom!
As the zebra herd travels across the plains of Africa, Mama Zebra helps little zebra find the herd again.
This is a sweet story about zebras with themes of motherly love and youthful adventure. The story is written in rhyme and accompanied by warm illustrations.
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4. Monkey See, Zebra Do – Ed Shankman
Everyone loves a party, and everyone loves a zoo – put them together and you have Monkey See, Zebra Do!
This is a funny and entertaining story about an animal party at the zoo. Monkies share bananas, zebras paint stripes on the guests, and kangaroos give rides in their pouches.
Told through rhythm and rhyme, with dazzling illustrations, this is one of the best books about zebras to read at bedtime.
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5. A Zebras World – Caroline Arnold
A Zebras World follows a young zebra as it takes its first steps in this new world. The story follows the zebra as it grows up in Africa, in both an interesting and stimulating way.
Keeping the zebra theme of black and white, the story is accompanied by black and white illustrations, which help tell the tales of these amazing animals.
This zebra picture book is an exciting view into the first year of a zebra’s life and teaches children about their natural home and some other animals they share their home with.
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6. Julius Zebra – Gary Northfield
As you might expect from the title, Julius Zebra is a comedy zebra book for kids that will have them howling with laughter, as well as learning about the life of Ancient Rome.
Julius Zebra was captured from his watering hole in the African savanna, along with Milus the scarred lion, and Cornelius the clueless warthog.
They were sent to the Colosseum, where he and his friends must become gladiators!
The only way to return home is if they win the love of the Romans.
The series has four books and each of them is an adventure waiting to be explored!
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7. On Beyond Zebra – Dr Seuss
On Beyond Zebra is a hilarious novel by Dr Seuss about an entirely new alphabet where the letter Z starts at the beginning.
This hilarious rhyming picture book introduces twenty new letters and creatures to spell them with.
With ingenious creations such as the Yuzz-a-ma-Tuzz and the High Gargel-orum, every member of the family will love this creative and entertaining read.
While it’s not necessarily about zebras, it’s still a comical story that has captured the hearts of children for decades.
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8. The Greedy Zebra – Mwenye Hadithi
One day, a group of animals discovers a cave that is full of different furs and skins. They decide to discard their usual coats for something glossy and new.
But the Greedy Zebra arrives too late and is left with only a few strips of black and white cloth left.
Still, he managed to fashion them together. But the coat is too small, and when his enormous body squeezes into it, the coat bursts open!
And that is how all the animals got their clothing, except the zebra, who got the scraps and was left with stripes.
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9. Zee Zee The Zebra – Karen Winward
Zee Zee The Zebra is a children’s book about kindness and accepting others for their differences.
The story follows a young zebra called Zee Zee who looks different from the other zebras. Because she is different, her friends don’t let her join their games, which makes her feel sad.
But soon Zee Zee and her friends learn that being different is ok and that being different makes us special.
This story helps to educate children from an early age about diversity and how everyone is unique. It teaches about how to help everyone to feel accepted.
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10. Max and Tallulah – Beverley Gooding
Max and Tallulah is a wonderful love story about zebras for children.
Max the Zebra is a shy zebra, and he is scared to tell Tallulah that he loves her.
He tries many different ways to get her attention, but every time something goes wrong!
Finally, Max an idea to win her over once and for all.
This heartwarming love story with themes of friendship and being yourself.
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11. Zink – Cherie Bennett
Becky Zaslow was diagnosed with leukemia and her whole world turned upside down. She enters the scary world of hospitals, blood counts, and chemotherapy.
At the age of 10, she’s afraid, but she doesn’t go through this journey alone. She has a trio of singing zebras to keep her company.
The zebras who live on the Serengeti plains forge a spiritual bond with Becky. They raise her spirits by telling her the story of Zink, the polka-dotted zebra who had a big heart and a lot of courage.
Soon, the “Think Zink,” motto helped Becky when life got tough.
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12. Savannah the Zebra Fairy: A Rainbow Magic Book – Daisy Meadows
The Rainbow Magic books have been much-loved chapter books for second grade girls everywhere, and one of the cutest stories in the series is Savannah the Zebra Fairy.
Rachel and Kirsty are spending their summer in the Wild Woods Nature Reserve where they volunteer as rangers.
But Jack Frost has taken the Baby Animal Rescue Fairies magic key chains and plans to use their stolen magic to kidnap baby animals for his zoo.
He’s after a baby zebra, called Ziggy, and it’s up to the girls and Savannah to help find him before Jack Frost can take him!
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13. All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism – Shaina Rudolph
All My Stripes is a zebra story for children with autism and was the winner of a Gold Medal by the Mom’s Choice Awards.
This zebra book teaches children with autism about how they are different from other children in a special and empathetic way.
The story follows Zane the zebra who often feels different. He has many stripes, a curious stripe, an honest stripe, and a caring stripe, but it worried that the other zebras will only notice his “autism stripe.”
With his Mama’s help, Zane learns to appreciate all his stripes, including his “autism stripe,” and realizes that his uniqueness makes him who he is.
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14. It Will Be Ok – Lisa Katzenberger
It Will Be Ok is a sweet zebra book for preschool children who need to learn a thing or two about empathy.
It’s a simple picture book about ways you can help a worried friend. It teaches children the power of listening and having empathy.
It follows Giraffe and Zebra who meet every day to walk to the watering hole together. But Giraffe isn’t there – and Zebra finds him hiding in the tree.
Giraffe saw a spider and was scared, but Zebra patiently talks him and supports his friend.
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Read more: books about giraffes for kids!
Books About Zebras for Toddlers and Preschoolers
If you’re looking for zebra books that are aimed at toddlers, then you’ll love these suggestions. From those that target sensory development to books about weaning, these books are both educational, character forming, and exciting!
15. Bye Bye Bottles Zebra – Michael Dahl
If you’re looking for books about weaning for toddlers, then you’ll want to check out Bye Bye Bottles Zebra.
The story follows a Little Zebra who is getting bigger and bigger, and it’s time to move on from bottles.
But for Little Zebra, it’s not easy. And Little Zebra must learn to use a cup.
This sturdy board book addresses the concerns around one of the earliest childhood transitions in a playful and exciting way.
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16. Z is for Zebra – DK Books
Z is for Zebra turns storytime into a fun educational experience, as they learn the alphabet in this charming book about zebras.
Complete with intriguing animals and other zebra-striped creatures, this is a great way to help your child learn the beginner phases of phonics.
The text is simple and great for reading aloud, and the exciting illustrations will keep your toddler engaged throughout.
It’s the perfect way for your child to learn the letter Z from their favorite animal in the animal kingdom.
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17. Where’s the Zebra? – Nosy Crow
Where’s the Zebra is a series of five beautifully illustrated spreads showing various friendly safari animals hiding behind felt flaps.
There’s a mirror on the final spread that makes for an inquisitive ending to the book’s search-and-find questions.
This is the perfect sensory development book for your little ones and a great past time book to read on a rainy day.
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18. Zebras Umbrella – David Hernández Sevillano
When it starts to rain, Zebra opens his colorful umbrella.
He doesn’t want his friends to get wet, so he invites Gazelle, Elephant, Rhinoceros and Hare to come under.
Lion doesn’t want to get wet, but is there enough room for everyone under Zebra’s umbrella?
The Zebra’s Umbrella is a sweet story about friendship, showing acts of kindness and sharing.
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19. Zigby Camps Out – Mr. Brian Paterson
Zigby the Zebra is going camping with his friends, Bertie and McMeer.
But this camping trip to the deepest, darkest jungle, ends in an adventure they’ll never forget.
This is an exciting, colorful book about zebras that will be a lasting favorite for your child.
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20. Little Zebra Finger Puppet Book – Chronicle Books and ImageBooks
Are you looking for a stimulating zebra book for your toddler? Then you’ll love this zebra puppet book!
As your child journeys through the story, they can learn about the sun (and rain!) on the savannah with the help of Little Zebra.
This is a simple yet comforting story featuring a permanently attached finger puppet and peek-a-boo holes, so parents and children can have fun reading together.
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Non-Fiction Books About Zebras
If your child loves zebras and wants to learn more about them, then they will love these non-fiction books about zebras!
21. Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers – Robert M. Sapolsky
Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers is a book about how stress affects sleep by the renowned primatologist, Robert Sapolsky.
The book talks about how to manage anxiety and personality disorders, as well as the impact of spirituality on managing stress.
He discusses how most people lie awake at night worrying about diseases and that when we stress, our body has the same physiological response that animals such as zebras have – fight or flee. Over time, this response to stress makes us sick.
With a combination of cutting-edge research, good humor, and practical advice, Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers is an in-depth study of how prolonged stress causes more serious medical conditions.
While this isn’t a children’s book per see, it’s a great resource for moms and dads who have anxious children and need help explaining the causes and reliefs to their child.
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22. Zebras – Mari Schuh
Zebras is a simple picture book about zebras that’s all about learning about these unique animals.
Complete with vibrant photography, this is a great way for your child to learn all about zebras.
The text is suitable for ages 4-8, though younger readers may need some help.
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23. Zebra Stripes – Tim Caro
Zebra Stripes is a non-fiction book about zebras for older children, as it conveys facts in a more elaborate way.
It seeks to answer the question, “Why do zebras have stripes”. Drawing answers from biologists like Alfred Russel Wallace and Charles Darwin, as well as famous authors such as Rudyard Kipling, there are many answers to this question.
Tim Caro takes readers on a journey through a decade of fieldwork examining the significance of black-and-white stripes on zebras.
The result? zebra markings are nature’s defense against annoying flies.
This hilarious non-fiction book brings natural science to life in an engaging and comical way that children will love.
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24. A Zebra’s Day – National Geographic
If you want to learn about zebras and see some cool photography at the same time, then National Geographic’s A Zebra’s Day is the ultimate choice.
Learn about the daily life of a zebra, from where they live, what they eat, and how they live in a herd.
This non-fiction zebra book is the ideal reader book for young minds, and included simple text and engaging photos on each page.
There’s even an educational vocabulary tree at the beginning to help children learn new words and concepts.
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25. Zebras – Derek Zobel
Zebras is a short and entertaining read for 5-8-year-olds about how zebras survive under the hot African sun.
Complete with simple sentences that a child can read and gorgeous photos, this is a great resource for children wanting to learn more about zebras.
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Final Word on Books About Zebras
So there you have it, those are 25 of the best books about zebras for kids of all ages! As you can see, there are a lot of great options to choose from.
No matter what age your child or what their reading level is, there’s a zebra book for everyone on this list.
Do you think we’ve missed anything? Let us know in the comments.
