A picture book for curious kids

Zaki’s Missing Stripes

A zany zebra. A very bad, no-good morning. And a lesson about being yourself, one stripe at a time.

Book cover for Zaki's Missing Stripes, showing a startled zebra under a full moon on a hillside

The Story

What else could go wrong for Zaki?

On a walk to his uncle’s house to help him paint, Zaki suddenly discovers that his stripes are missing! This charming story about a zany zebra overcoming obstacles will warm your heart, make you laugh, and have you on the lookout for your own missing stripes.

  • A read-aloud picture book perfect for storytime
  • A gentle, funny take on self-acceptance
  • Bold, hand-drawn illustrations on every page
Zaki the zebra, wide-eyed and mid-shout, under a dark tree

Meet the Hero

Zaki

Zaki is a zebra with a big personality and an even bigger reaction to a bad morning. He talks a mile a minute, trips over his own hooves, and has strong opinions about jelly spills and bird droppings. He’s never met a problem he couldn’t turn into a one-liner — until the day his stripes just… vanish.

What Readers Are Saying

Praise for Zaki’s Missing Stripes

“Get ready for an amusing story of self-discovery in the humorous and entertaining picture book, Zaki’s Missing Stripes. From jelly spills and bird droppings to numerous witty one-liners…”

— Readers’ Favorite

“Zaki’s Missing Stripes is a delightful read for children, filled with humor, relatable experiences, and a valuable lesson about self-acceptance. It’s a wonderful addition to any young reader’s collection and is sure to leave them smiling.”

— Kid’s Picture Book Review

“Zaki’s Missing Stripes is a must-read for anyone who wants to discover the power of being different. Filled with beautiful illustrations, this book is a visual treat that will capture the imagination of readers young and old.”

— Midwest Book Review

The Team

Author & Illustrator

Vince Tylutki

Author

Vince Tylutki writes picture books for kids who ask a lot of questions and adults who still remember what that felt like. Zaki’s Missing Stripes is his story about the morning a very unlucky zebra learns that being different isn’t the problem — it’s the point.

Sanghamitra Dasgupta

Illustrator

Sanghamitra Dasgupta brought Zaki and his world to life with bold linework and sunset-soaked color, turning a bad morning into something genuinely beautiful to look at, page after page.

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