ACCESS DIGITIZED EDITION
Guide/Reviews Database
PICTURE BOOKS
Rundell, Katherine

Zebra's Great Escape

64 pp. | Simon | August, 2024 | Trade ISBN 9781481491631 $19.99 | Ebook ISBN 9781481491648 $10.99
(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie. Originally published in Great Britain, this book evades easy classification. Ogilvie's lively, vibrantly colored art -- with dramatic page-turns and a mix of immersive full-bleed illustrations, spot art, and vignettes -- caters to a picture-book audience. But despite the book's picture-book trim size, Rundell's lengthy three-part story acknowledges readers ready for something longer. The irreverent, zany tone starts right away on the first page, when Gabriel, a zebra searching for his kidnapped parents, gains the attention of human child Mink. When Gabriel licks "a little snot from the inside of Mink's nostril," it causes her to fall and bump her head, triggering her ability to communicate with Gabriel -- and with all creatures, as she soon discovers. Harnessing her inherent bravery and goodwill, Mink solicits help from a curmudgeonly, misunderstood dog, who summons a chain of animal helpers. They rescue a horde of animal captives, held by the villain, Mr. Spit, who intends to preserve them for his taxidermy collection. Once released, the vengeful animals bare "one thousand six hundred and eighty-four teeth," leaving Mr. Spit without any clothes, "his bottom wafting naked in the breeze." But it's not all snot, spit, and a naked bottom in service of cheekiness. This heartwarming, offbeat story celebrates silliness, empathy, and courage in equal measure.
Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

RELATED 

PICTURE BOOKS

Born Ready
by Patterson, Jodie
PICTURE BOOKS

The House of Grass and Sky
by Ray, Mary Lyn
PICTURE BOOKS

The Dog's Gardener
by Storms, Patricia
PICTURE BOOKS

And I Paint It
by Kephart, Beth
PICTURE BOOKS

Poem in My Pocket
by Tougas, Chris
More

Get connected. Join our global community of more than 200,000 librarians and educators.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?