Read your book to the Year 2 class which I am relieving in. I had first explained the process you went on before publishing the book. They loved the book. The little South African boy was so pleased that you included the native animals from his country. They related to the book well and we had a great discussion afterwards.
Susanne Boll / Horsham Downs School, Hamilton
Zeb has a problem. Although he has plenty of friends in his zebra herd, which lives beside a tree-lined river in the African plains, he feels like something is missing. Eventually, he realizes what it is; he shares the same name as all the other boy zebras in the herd. Zeb then begins the search for a name to call his own. He talks to other animals who, unlike him, all have individual names but which conform to a different pattern for each animal group.
This delightfully illustrated book has a storyline that offers the opportunity to delve into deeper issues.
This book suits 5-10-year olds, but with the underlaying theme of individuality, it could be used be used to promote discussion at a higher level.
Tricia Kenyon and Barbara Griffith / Publishers of ‘Teachers Matter’
It is the illustrations that first delight, the detail and expressive characters are gorgeous. Next the story, with a moral; if you want to make change it’s up to you. Zeb wants his own name as all male zebras are Zeb and all female zebras Zed.
As we follow Zeb’s search for a name he likes, we have fun either listening to, or saying the other animals’ personal names, for example: Min, Din, Tin, Gin and Pin. The author and artist take you on your own journey to Africa with the amazing wildlife and their environment. I learnt no two zebras have the same pattern!
My four year old grandchildren love this book and I see potential for drama and dance evolving from both the text and the illustrations. Congratulations Jill Batty and Gordon Miller. We look forward to many more.
Dianne Leach / Grandparent, Performing Arts teacher & collector of good children’s books
Just purchased 3 copies of this book for my grand children!
Whenever I buy a book for a child I always look for the message they may get from the story and perhaps this one lets them know that it is okay to want to be different! Love it! The illustrations and layout are great and will be sure to hold a child’s interest….looking forward to sharing!
Pauline Rathbone / Grandmother
