First Come the Zebra

by Lynne Barasch

The story of two young Kenyan boys, one Maasai and one Kikuyu, who find a way to overcome their traditional rivalries and become friends.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Africa, Friendship, Kenya, Animals, Science

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Lynne Barasch was born in New York City and grew up in Woodmere, Long Island. She attended Rhode Island School of Design and holds a B.F.A. from Parsons School of Design. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important story about two young Kenyan boys, one Maasai and one Kikuyu, whose initial dislike for one another reflects the traditional disagreements of their tribes, while their eventual friendship represents the hope of the future. The story and illustrations were just so-so for me, although I liked how the harmony of the animals (how the zebra, wildebeast and gazelle are able to eat the same grass but coexist peacefully because they take turns) is mirrored to what might happen if the tribes work together... The author's note at the back was a very interesting insight into the tribal relations.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by a family trip to Kenya, and a discussion she had there with one of her guides, author/illustrator Lynne Barasch wrote this original story about two boys - one Maasai and one Kikuyu - who manage to look past tribal differences, and work together, eventually even becoming friends. When Abaani, a young Maasai boy, happens upon a Kikuyu boy named Haki while herding his cattle, his thoughtless words - a repetition of things he has heard his elders say - leads to hostility between the two. But when a young baby is jeopardized, they come together to save him, each discovering that the other is really OK, and that they can be friends.

I enjoyed the story in First Come the Zebra, which sets up a very effective parallel between the various species which are a part of the great migration in that part of the world, and the human tribes, demonstrating how it is possible to co-exist peacefully, despite different eating habits and/or lifestyles. I appreciate the fact that Barasch's story highlights the human diversity in Africa, and the tensions between various tribal groups, as so many Americans seem to think that the continent is a homogeneous whole. I also appreciated the message - that differences don't have to lead to violence, and that young people can choose to follow a better path. I'm not sure the illustrations really appealed to me, but I think First Come the Zebra is an engaging book, for all that, and I recommend it to young readers looking for books set in Kenya, or for stories that emphasize the importance of making peace, and getting along.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely story that makes a connection between and about relationships.

It’s about how the animals of Kenya live in harmony with their natural environment, with zebras, wildebeest, and the Thomson’s gazelle eat different parts of the grass, for instance. So, this story shows how nature is in harmony, at least in this way.

On the other hand, Abaani, who’s Maasai, and Haki, who’s Kikuyu, feel animosity for one another because one people use cattle and another farm plants in order to make their livings. The story shows how, despite their initial animosity, the boys develop a friendship and how they figure out a way to help one another rather than working in opposition to one another. It’s easy for readers to make the leap that others who appear to be working in opposition to one another might find ways to get along with one another instead.

It’s a very heartwarming story. I like the message of getting along peacefully and of the possibility of interdependence among different people as well as what comes naturally for some animal species.

I love how the author’s note at the end indicates a visit to Kenya was the inspiration for this story, and she gives a bit of history of the peoples and information about a game the boys play. While in Kenya, she used her own observations and also had conversations with guides and local experts. A map, (additional) author’s sources (books, media) list is included, as is a pronunciation guide and glossary.

I found the illustrations to be lovely, though not in the vibrant colors I tend to associate with African art; the colors are more pastel. The colors are beautiful though, and I enjoyed the pictures of the animals, the vegetables & fruits, the baskets, and the various scenes; they complement the story well.

3 ½ stars

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book from the cover. I have some schema and personal travel experience with Kenya. I was excited to find a picture text that I could share personal connections with because I wanted to use it in my reading workshop. This book has a great theme/message of teamwork and acceptance. The animals natural co-exist and it highlights their relationship. The main focus is on the two boys on the cover. Overtime they begin to understand and respect the differences....could be a great book for the beginning of the year! The day I read it I brought in some African artifacts and family pictures from my time there....they loved the personal connections to the text.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The "message" of boys from two communities in conflict is a bit heavy-handed, but young elementary-school readers won't notice that, and the story is generally well told. The watercolors are enjoyable. This story will introduce children to the fact that there are varied tribes and ways of life within even a single African country (Kenya).

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of this book - it tries to give a sneak peek into the lives of young boys growing up in tribal Africa. It depicts tribal conflict and prejudice as well as resolution and friendship. However, the book is, in itself, very disjointed, somewhat predictable, and rather boring.

[Jsagat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abanai a masai boy and kikuyu boy, Haki work together to avoid dangerous situation---hopefully two groups in Kenya will someday learn to work together in same way,

[Kiersten · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is a little heavy handed, and the text doesn’t flow particularly easily. However the message is nice and the illustrations are lovely.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Against the backdrop of the great migration of animals from Tanzania to Kenya, the relationship between two boys from rival groups plays out. Readers observe various animals, starting with the zebras, arriving in the area and each taking what is needed from the land. A young Maasai boy named Abaani watches over his family's cattle while Haki, a young Kikuyu boy, keeps an eye on his family's fruit and vegetable stand. The boys exchange words since they know their families consider the other group to cause problems for their way of living. Before violent acts can follow the harsh words, though, they are distracted by the threat presented by a warthog when a baby wanders away from its mother, and they end up working together to save the child. Although both know feel mutual respect, it takes time for them to stand a little bit closer and even finally play a game together. Perhaps these two boys could take the lead in brokering peace between their separate tribes. Back matter includes a map, a pronunciation guide, and discussion of some of the conflicts that exist between the groups living in that area. The soft pastel colors used for the illustrations pay tribute to the land and its inhabitants even while the story offers hope that even those who seem to have nothing in common can learn to get along as these boys have. Most interestingly, the friendship is not something that happens overnight, but takes some time to develop, as is the case for most friendships, after all. This picture book highlights an important issue and would be useful in teaching youngsters about getting along with others and not reacting with anger simply because of tradition or what others may think. There is also a firm reminder about the importance of working together rather than against others.

[Michaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that takes place in Kenya. The story starts off my introducing different animals that share the grassland. Later, it introduces a boy, Abaani who is from the Maasai tribe, and another boy, Haki, who is from the Kikuyo farmers. Both boys have heard bad things about one another's people and eventually find a way to save a life and get along, apart from the differences their people have. At the end of the book, the author states, "...the Maasai and the Kikuyu will find their own peaceful way to share the land," which I think is a powerful statement.

I would use this book for 4th-5th graders. One activity that I would have students do is research a tribe in Kenya and make a venn diagram--comparing and contrasting that tribe's customs or culture, to their own. This will help students see differences in cultures, as well as some of the things that each culture share. They will turn their venn diagram into a mini presentation to share in groups.

[ConnieLettow · Rating 5 out of 5]

My five year old wanted to hear this story of friendship and migration over and over. It has a lot of lessons to learn for later on as well about how the Maasai, cattle herders, and the Kikuyu, farmers clash over land rights. These clashes have played out among different peoples around the world. It shows how, in spite of tribal differences, people can become friends. We also learned to play mancala, which was introduced in this book. We learned about the grazing habits of several large game animals, the zebra, the wildebeest, and the gazelle, as they migrate from Tanzania to Kenya in their yearly great migration. I also love the extensive sources, a glossary and author's note in the back. A very short introduction to Swahili was just perfect. This is the kind of book that I love and a treasure in my library.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two boys, one a Maasai and one a Kikuyu, have learned not to like each other because of who they are. After all, the Maasai raise cattle. The Kikuyu use the land to grow fruits and vegetables, which takes away the precious grassland for the cattle. Can they learn a lesson from the animals who share the grasslands during the great migration?

An author’s note explains the inspiration behind the story with information about life in Kenya.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of two boys from very different groups of people living in the Kenyan grasslands. This story shares an important message - learning to work together and put aside differences can result in new friendships and greater community.

[Taylor Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This you get to see the friendship grow. They didn't like each other at first but now they do.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about the friendship of two Kenyan boys from two different tribes. The tribes, Maasai and Kikuyu, are traditional rivalries. However, through the boys sharing supplies with one another, they are able to settle an argument to be friends despite their differences. This story is a good window into human diversity in Africa. It shows the tensions between various tribal groups. I feel like so many people mistake the continent to be a homogeneous whole.

[Sophia Kanoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade/interest level: Upper Elementary (3rd-5th)
Reading level: Guided Reading Level N/A but I believe it is about a Q
Genre: Multicultural Literature

Main Characters: Abaani and Haki
Setting: On the grasslands of Kenya
POV: Third person omniscient narrator

Summary: First Come the Zebra by Lynne Barasch is a heartwarming story about two young boys from rival tribes coming together to save a small baby. The story takes place in the grasslands of Kenya, during the great migration of animals for feeding. The zebra come first, followed by the wildebeest, and finally the Thompson gazelles. One day a young Maasai boy, Abaani is feeding his cows when he spots a Kikuyu boy , Haki, a rival tribe member, selling fruit at a stand along the road. The boys immediately exchange words and continue to dislike each other day to day. One day a group of women come along to the fruit stand. A mom lets her baby walk around while she is looking at fruit. The boys quickly see that the baby is walking towards a pack of dangerous warthogs. The boys work together to save the baby. The boys overcame their differences and realized that they should not hate each other just because they were from rival tribes. It is interesting to note that even though this is a fiction book, a lot of it is based on facts from stories and research gathered by Lynne Barasch during her travels in Kenya.

Class Uses/Themes: I would use this book as a read aloud in my classroom to teach the lesson that you should not judge a book by its cover, and to discuss stereotyping. I want to teach my students that just because someone comes from somewhere does not mean that they fit a stereotype. I could also use this book as a read aloud for my students to gain more insight on the country of Kenya.

[Michaela Baillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book deals with the main topics of sharing with others, not judging others, and harmony. It is about two young boys, one Maasai and the other Kikuyu. The Maasai people are cattle herders and the Kikuyu people are farmers. This story talks about how they fight, and eventually start to work towards living together in harmony. I would probably use this book for grades 1-3 because it can be very simple, but it also has some interesting subtopics and could be used as a beginning to a unit. I would probably use it to talk about economy, problem solving, and cultures.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the illustrations in this story; there is more detail in the faces than Four Feet, Two Sandals. I also like how this story shows that children of today find ways to overcome differences between feuding "tribes".

[Lin Lin]

How to get along with others particularly when "others" do not share the same cultural values with us? This book is about how Massai people get along with other farming tribes. It really teaches about how children from different cultures can learn to be tolerant and friendly with each other.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book about two boys in Kenya who learn to share and become friends. I plan on giving this to my sister for her two kids! They will really like it.

[Megan Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sweet story about putting aside differences and prejudices. The art was very pretty and would keep a children’s eye moving about the page. Very enjoyable!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of 2 boys from Kenya, one who raises cattle and another who farms who start out as enemies and as they get to know each other become friends.Tolerance/Respect

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lydia: I love how the boys become friends. They didn't like each other at first because they are from different tribes.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a bit unusual, but I liked the text of this book better than I liked the illustrations. The story, however, is lovely, and universal and timeless.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will add this to my third grade teacher list for sharing when they study Kenya.

[Candi]

Ages 6-11