Zebra Who Was Sad
on Goodreads (15)
What’s inside...
Illustrated stories cover these four important feelings (happiness, sadness, fear, anger) with a gentle and sweet approach. A happy hippo, an angry tiger, a sad zebra and a scared elephant allow very young children to understand these emotions and to learn how to cope with them.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
22 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the zebra was feeling sad?
What could you do if you noticed a friend feeling like the zebra?
How did the zebra's friends help change his feelings?
Can you think of a time when you felt like the zebra? What helped you feel better?
What does this story teach us about friendship and emotions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Validate your child's emotions as they relate to the zebra, acknowledging that it's okay to feel sad sometimes.
Encourage your child to think about empathy and ways to help others who might be feeling sad, just like the characters in the book.
Discuss the importance of expressing feelings and how communication can help us feel better.
Use the story as a starting point to talk about times when your child has helped someone else, or times when they have received help from friends or family.
Highlight the role of support systems and the value of having friends and family who care.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Emotions
Explanation: The story of the sad zebra demonstrates how recognizing and talking about emotions can help. Throughout the book, the zebra shares its feelings, which is a crucial first step in emotional management and understanding.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their feelings more openly, reducing confusion and anxiety. This skill is essential for emotional development and helps kids navigate their social environments more effectively.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: As other animals in the story reach out to help the sad zebra, children see examples of empathy and compassion. The characters' kindness towards the zebra teaches the importance of supporting others when they are in emotional distress.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these insights by showing support and understanding to peers and family members who are experiencing difficulties, thereby fostering stronger relationships.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Facing Challenges
Explanation: The zebra in the story eventually finds ways to cope with its sadness, showing resilience. This acts as a positive model for children, demonstrating that while sadness is a natural emotion, one can find constructive ways to deal with it.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to seek healthy coping mechanisms when they face similar emotions or challenges in their own lives, promoting emotional resilience.
Example Lesson: Importance of Community Support
Explanation: The story highlights how the community comes together to help the zebra. This shows children the importance of a supportive social network and how it can help individuals overcome personal struggles.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of community and are encouraged to participate actively in their own communities, whether it's family, school, or other groups, contributing to a supportive environment.
Example Lesson: Self-Discovery Through Adversity
Explanation: As the zebra learns to understand and manage its sadness with the help of friends, it also discovers personal strengths and gains self-knowledge.
Real-World Application: Children learn that self-discovery often comes through facing challenges, helping them to see difficult situations as opportunities for growth and learning about themselves.