A new children’s book inspires young readers to think deeply about the lives of animals in captivity.
We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Andrea Gelfuso, a talented author who shares our vision of a world where animals live free from cruelty and suffering. Zuri the Zebra and the Seasons of Giving tells the story of Zuri, a zebra battling the boredom of life in captivity, and her journey to add a splash of color to her world. Through its bright and expressive illustrations, the book brings its characters to life in a way that captivates readers and inspires them to think more deeply about the lives of animals in captivity.
50% of net profits from the sale of Zuri the Zebra and the Seasons of Giving WAP US Edition will be donated to World Animal Protection.
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We had the opportunity to chat with Andrea about Zuri the Zebra and the Seasons of Giving! Andrea took us inside her experience as an author and walked us through her creative journey:
Can you tell us a little bit about Zuri the Zebra and the Seasons of Giving?
In a light and silly way, Zuri lets kids think about the conditions animals face in zoos, and we can all laugh at the ways that adults think we need to buy stuff (singing Christmas underwear?!) to make holidays special. The story brings those two ideas together—can we work together to make things better for captive animals? Yes, we can!
What inspired you to begin storytelling and to become an author?
When I was little, my Grandma Jane sparked my imagination with the stories she told us before bed. I wanted to tell stories! And when I read Little Women, I wanted to be a writer like Jo. In an absolutely magical coincidence, last winter my friend, a theater director, asked if I could host a young actress who was coming to Denver to star in a play. The play was Little Women, and the actress was playing Jo! And an incredibly wonderful thing happened—I had an antique curling iron that was my great-grandmother’s—and in the play, they used my great-grandmother’s curling iron as a prop in the scene where Jo burns off Meg’s hair. But even better than this is getting to be Jo in real life and seeing kids laughing over my book, Zuri.
Andrea Gelfuso, author of Zuri the Zebra and the Seasons of Giving.
Was there a specific moment or animal that sparked your passion for animal protection?
It’s always been there. When I was maybe five years old, we visited a small local zoo. They had a lion—a magnificent animal stuck in a bare concrete cage, alone. I felt his misery and didn’t understand how people didn’t notice he was suffering. Understanding the suffering of animals in the food industry, I became a vegetarian at the age of 11. At 21, I was working in Yosemite National Park and hitchhiked to Denali. In Denali National Park, watching caribou graze, I decided to be an environmental lawyer. In Malta, I helped care for a colony of feral cats and brought them food and self-warming beds to keep them warm through the rainy Maltese winter.
If you could give one message to young readers about animal protection/advocacy, what would it be?
Kids listen to kids, and kids can teach other kids about compassion for animals. Zoos, marine parks, and animal acts that force wild animals to perform are designed to entertain families. If kids take a minute to ask: “Does that lion want to live in a small enclosure just so I can see it up close?” “Does that dolphin want to live in a small tank where I can pet it, or would it be happier out in the ocean with its families and friends?” If kids think about what the animals are feeling, they can tell their friends and families they don’t think it’s fun to see animals stuck in cages. Kids talking to kids and their parents would make a huge difference in how adults see animals. Kids can change the world!
What do you hope young readers take away from your stories?
There is so much around us that is weird and funny. Have you ever seen a duck landing on the water? A lot of the time, they crash land, and it’s fun to watch. Pointing that out and making someone laugh is the most magical thing. Animals have lives and feelings. Being a kid means you see the world in a way no one has before, and sharing your imagination and your love of animals can encourage other kids to show their compassion for animals, too.
Do animals play a role in your personal life?Any companion animals or memories you'd like to share?
I grew up with Saint Bernards, Bassett Hounds, and cats. Feral cats would have kittens in the crawl space beneath our house, and many of the cats would get run over on our busy street. I don’t know why my parents didn’t understand that those cats needed to be spayed and neutered.
My kids grew up with cats, and every night, like Grandma Jane, I’d tell the kids funny stories about our kitties—our multi-colored Tortoiseshell, Cokie, was “born in an explosion in a cat factory.”
The hedge in our backyard was like Gaia—it sheltered fox families, rabbit families, raccoons, and an occasional commuter skunk. Then, a small black cat in our neighborhood started having kittens in our hedge. The first set of six kittens I was able to trap, neuter, and they were all adopted. Then the black kitty had another round—but she wasn’t going to fall for getting trapped. So, I spent a week watching a box trap—like the one used on Bugs Bunny—and eventually was able to trap Blueberry and her three kittens. They were too old to be adopted, so I had those kitties—the Hedge Kitties—released to my yard, and then I told funny stories about them on Facebook. That’s another book!
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You can purchase your copy of Zebra and the Seasons of Giving WAP US Edition from Andrea’s Amazon storefront or buy directly from her publisher.
We’re so grateful to partner with authors like Andrea, whose work continues to inspire in so many ways. Looking for something new to add to your bookshelf? Check out her other book, My Modena: A Year of Fear, Laughter, and Exhilaration in Italy. My Modena is a hilarious memoir of the year Andrea and her family spent in Modena, Italy. My Modena is available to purchase on Amazon and on IngramSpark.
World Animal Protection’s partners are making a positive impact for animals across the globe by ending animal cruelty and suffering. Our partners’ commitment to animal protection sends a positive, progressive message to their communities, inspiring their customers and employees to make long-term, sustainable changes for the greater good of animals, people, and the planet. If you’re interested in partnering with World Animal Protection, please complete our partnership form or contact Kara King, Development Manager, via email or at 646-783-2224.