Ziva the Zebra grows up on a quiet Tennessee farm after being rescued as a tiny, mud-covered foal. Jacob, the gentle farmer who finds her, raises her among his horses. They become her whole world: warm, safe, and full of love. Even with all that comfort, Ziva cannot ignore the bold black-and-white stripes staring back at her.
Every day she tries to scrub them off, roll them away, or cover them with mud. But her stripes never disappear, and the ache she feels from standing out never fades when she overhears visitors talking about a nearby zebra farm with thirty zebras: something inside her lights up. A whole herd that looks like her? A place where she would not be different? She tucks the forgotten map into her stall and begins to dream.
One morning, driven by curiosity and longing, Ziva slips away down the Tennessee trail. Jacob soon realizes she is missing. His voice shakes as he calls for her, and when he cannot find her, he dials 911 so the authorities will know how to search for her.
Ziva eventually reaches the dazzling herd she imagined. The stripes around her are beautiful, and the guides even call the group a dazzle. Still, she discovers a hard truth: in a herd where everyone looks the same, no one really sees her.
Then she meets Manny, a friendly mustang who is proud to be different. Talking with him helps Ziva understand what she has been missing. The place where she was truly seen was back home, with Jacob, his son, and the horses who loved her exactly as she was.
Lost without her map but determined to return, Ziva and Manny work together to send a loud call for help. A helicopter hears the strange sound, swoops in, and lifts Ziva to safety. When she lands, she is surrounded by relief, joy, and the familiar love she longed for.
Jacob holds her close and reminds her of what she needed to hear all along: your differences are not flaws. They are something worth celebrating.
And this time, Ziva finally believes him.
Hikind, Libby: - "Libby Hikind is an educator, author, and founder of GrantWatch.com, whose lifelong mission is to educate, inspire, and empower through stories that nurture empathy, emotional growth, and kindness. Her seventh and newest children's book, "Ziva the Zebra Runs Away: A Story About the Beauty of Being Yourself", is a warm, adventurous story perfect for ages 4-10. This tale reminds kids that what makes them unique is what makes them shine.With over 29 years of experience in the New York City public school system, Libby taught Balanced Literacy, entrepreneurship, business careers, and social studies. She developed curricula that promote critical thinking, emotional regulation, and values-based learning. Her approach to education blends creativity with compassion, helping children grow into confident, kind, and self-aware individuals.Libby is also the author of "Bailey Bullied Me: and I Am Kinder Now", "Rikki Wants A Pet: How a Fluttery Surprise Saved the Day", "Why Won't You Go To School, Kiki Kangaroo?: How Everyone Helped Him: School is Scary - Until It's Not", "Twig Literacy: A Fun Story About Beavers, Money (Twigs), and Saving", "Mr. Squirrel's Spring Cleaning Lesson: A Tale of Tidiness and Teamwork", and "Why Won't You Fly, Sky?: A Tale of Finding the Courage to Soar". Her picture books for children ages 4-13 combine whimsical storytelling, real-world photography, and heartfelt lessons that inspire empathy, teamwork, and resilience.Visit libbyhikind.com to view the full catalog of her books. Free "Extend the Story" questions and a coloring page are available at libbyhikind.com to encourage deeper conversations between children, caregivers, and educators. Each children's book has an accompanying activity coloring book (purchased separately) to keep the story meaningful for young readers.In addition to her children's books, Libby is the author of "The Queen of Grants: From Teacher to Grant Writer to CEO". Libby Hikind has also been featured in Forbes, Inc., and Business Insider. As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she continues to write stories that plant the seeds of kindness, courage, self-esteem, and compassion in every generation."
