Greedy Zebra

GREEDY ZEBRA is a classic African folktale set in the grasslands of the Serengeti Plains in Kenya. It is retold by Mwenye Hadithi with vibrant illustrations by Adrienne Kennaway. In this witty and engaging story, the animals are given the gift of shedding their dull old skins and choosing bright new coats. All except Greedy Zebra, who is too busy eating to pay attention. When he finally arrives, only scraps remain and he must squeeze into them, bursting at the seams around his grass stuffed tummy – leading to the striking black-and-white stripes we see today.

First in the African Animal Tales series, GREEDY ZEBRA combines folklore, humour, and striking artwork to bring African storytelling traditions to young readers worldwide. Perfect for read-aloud sessions, classroom use, and bedtime stories, GREEDY ZEBRA has delighted children and adults for nearly four decades.

Author Biography

Mwenye Hadithi is the pen name of Bruce Hobson, a Kenyan-born author with a lifelong love of Africa – its wildlife, landscapes, and rich tradition of folklore. Through his acclaimed African Animal Tales series, Mwenye Hadithi introduced timeless fables from East Africa to readers around the world, blending humour, moral lessons, and an authentic storytelling voice.His much-loved tales began as bedtime stories for his daughter and her friends, evolving into a collection of picture books that have become modern classics of children’s literature, read in homes, schools, and libraries worldwide. Known for his mischievous character, and flair for entertaining with magic tricks, impressions, and tall tales, Hobson captured the spirit of the oral traditions he so admired. His pseudonym, Mwenye Hadithi, meaning “storyteller” in Swahili, honours the generations of African narrators who came before him, and those who will follow.Beyond his literary work, Hobson was dedicated to horticulture, wildlife and conservation, with close ties to the Born Free Foundation, reflecting his lifelong respect for animals and the natural world. Adrienne Kennaway is an award-winning illustrator celebrated for her vibrant and expressive watercolours. Born in New Zealand and raised in Kenya, she studied art in London and Rome, and has travelled all over the world. She has always loved nature and animals, and brings first-hand knowledge of African landscapes and wildlife to her art. Her work on the African Animal Tales series earned widespread acclaim for capturing the character and humour of the stories while authentically portraying African animals and Kenyan settings with enticing detail. Her understanding of colour and movement helps bring Mwenye Hadithi’s vibrant stories to visual life.