How Zebras Got Their Stripes: Read It Yourself - Level 2 Developing Reader
Read It Yourself Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
A delightful tale that explores the captivating story of how zebras earned their stripes. Through engaging text and charming illustrations, young readers journey alongside the zebras on a thrilling adventure that leads to their iconic striped appearance. Based on the classic West African folktale about bravery, the story delves into why zebras are stripy and why baboons have red bottoms. Discover what happens when a bossy baboon and a plucky little zebra go head-to-head, with long-lasting consequences. How Zebras Got Their Stripes is from Developing Reader Level 2 and is ideal for readers aged from 5+ who can read short, simple sentences with help. Each book has been carefully checked by educational and subject consultants and includes comprehension puzzles, book band information, and tips for helping children with their reading. With five levels to take children from first phonics to fluent reading and a wide range of different stories and topics for every interest, Read It Yourself helps children build their confidence and begin reading for pleasure.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the zebras needed stripes in the story?
If you could give an animal a new pattern, which animal and what kind of pattern would you choose?
How do you think the other animals in the book felt about the zebras getting their stripes?
What do you think is the most important lesson the zebras learned?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about zebras and predict what might happen in the story.
Encourage your child to describe the setting, characters, and key events, helping them connect the story to the pictures.
Discuss the moral of the story and relate it to personal experiences or similar situations that your child might face.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or an alternate ending, discussing the reasons for their choices.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Adaptation and Survival
Explanation: The story explores how zebras got their unique stripes as a means to survive and adapt in the wild, blending into their environment to escape predators.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of adapting to different situations and environments in their own lives, whether at school, in social settings, or while learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Celebrating Differences
Explanation: Each zebra's stripe pattern is unique, and the story celebrates these differences as a strength.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate and embrace individual differences among their peers, promoting inclusivity and respect for others.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The young zebras ask questions about their stripes, showing how curiosity leads to learning.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be inquisitive and seek out answers, enhancing their understanding of the world around them and fostering a lifelong love for learning.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Zebras in the story work together to elude threats, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of collaborating with others to achieve common goals and solve problems, whether in classroom projects or during playtime.