Books with title The Painted Zebra

Lucy has some very strange neighbors with horns, humps, tails, and trunks. That's because Lucy lives next door to the zoo! Every night, she climbs down the long neck of Georgina the Giraffe and listens to one of them tell her a story. Tonight it's the story of Zed the Zebra. Zed is faster than any other animal in the jungle—and he's always pointing it out. He is very proud of his go-faster stripes and claims he is the fastest runner in all Africa. But one day the animals plan an obstacle race and prove they can all do something well. Suddenly Zed isn't the best at everything!

Lucy has some very strange neighbors with horns, humps, tails, and trunks. That's because Lucy lives next door to the zoo! Every night, she climbs down the long neck of Georgina the Giraffe and listens to one of them tell her a story. Tonight it's the story of Zed the Zebra. Zed is faster than any other animal in the jungle—and he's always pointing it out. He is very proud of his go-faster stripes and claims he is the fastest runner in all Africa. But one day the animals plan an obstacle race and prove they can all do something well. Suddenly Zed isn't the best at everything!

This delightful picture book, first published in 1930, was written for children as a beautiful evocation of an era of awakening American interest in Mexican art and culture but it will appeal to adults as well. The author first went to Mexico in 1927, when her husband, Dwight Morrow, was appointed American ambassador. The story is about a remarkable painted pig with a savings bank manner and a very stylish rosebud tail. The pig belongs to Pita, and is coveted by her younger brother, Pedro. Pancho, 'The Toymaker' in the market, promises to make another one, but between the promise and the delivery is a wonderful story-telling journey. The story was inspired by the extraordinary collection of Mexican toys created by the author's friend Rene d'Harnoncourt, who illustrated the book.