Beautifully illustrated fables teach valuable lessons in this David Bowie inspired children's book.

Ziggy is a zebra that was born with all-different-colored stripes. He was laughed at by all the other zebras because he was different. This made him very lonely. When he grew up, he met a few different-looking creatures that were having the same problem. They became good friends, and they had many good times together. The other zebras realized that Ziggy and his friends had feelings just like they did and it didnt make any difference what they looked like.

Educating children about endangered animals

Ziggy lays down to rest for the night, Feeling so sad to be just plain white. He wishes & wishes for a color or two, A dot or a spot or a zigzag will do. A parrot has colorful feathers, a crocodile has a green bumpty hide ... If Ziggy had those things, would he be special too? Children will love reading this story about a little zebra that earns his stripes when he realizes the best thing to be is who you are. Bright, Bold illustrations & dynamic pop-ups will captivate the youngest of readers.

Ziggy, a young zebra, wanted to explore beyond the grassy plains of Africa. He met a clever fox and learned how to find food in the wild. He also met migrating birds who shared their navigation techniques. Ziggy encountered a wise old tortoise who taught him valuable life lessons. He then met a family of meerkats who showed him the power of teamwork. Ziggy got lost but remembered that zebra stripes can help them blend into the background. The hungry hyenas ran by without noticing him. He returned home more confident and adventurous, sharing all about his trip with his family.

Colorful Illustrations support decodable text, guiding beginning readers to identify, recognize, and use the /z/ sound. Featuring high-frequency words, this authentic fictional narrative also gives emerging readers the opportunity to read with purpose and for meaning while reinforcing basic phonemic sounds. Readers will enjoy the story of Ziggy the Zebra, the fastest zebra at the zoo. This fiction phonics title is paired with the nonfiction phonics title Zack the Zookeeper: Practicing the Z Sound. The instructional guide on the inside front and back covers provides: * Word List with carefully selected grade-appropriate words featuring the /z/ sound found in the text * Teacher Talk that assists instructors in introducing the /z/ sound * Group Activity that guides students to identify the /z/ sound, decode the words that contain it, and use the words * Extended Activity that provides students with additional opportunities to think about, list, and use words containing the /z/ sound * Writing Activity that guides students to write the letter that makes the /z/ sound