The Zebra Camila by Marisa Núñez (illustrations by Óscar Villán)

La Cebra Camila is a beautifully crafted illustrated children’s book that invites young readers into a whimsical world of colour, adventure and gentle discovery. Camila the zebra lives “where the world ends” and one day, when she steps outside, a mischievous wind blows away seven of the stripes on her coat. As Camila sets out to recover them, she meets a spider, a serpent, a rainbow, a cicada and other forest creatures each of whom lend a stripe of a different colour. 

With poetic rhythm, repetition and question-and-answer patterns reminiscent of traditional folklore, the text by Marisa Núñez captures both the thrill of exploration and the tender acknowledgement of change and growth. The illustrations by Óscar Villán are simple yet expressive, designed to invite children to look beyond the surface and engage with subtle visual ‘winks’ embedded in the story. 

Ideal for children from about 3 to 6 years old (or 4+ depending on readiness), the book offers more than just an engaging story: it encourages early reading skills, vocabulary development (especially through rhyme and pattern), and reflection on identity, loss and renewal. Set in the “country where the wind turns around,” Camila’s adventure gently opens doors to talking about change, helping, friendship and the colours of life.

La Cebra Camila is also an excellent choice for shared reading at home or in early-years classrooms, as well as a thoughtful gift. The sturdy hardback format and the narrative structure (32 pages) make it both accessible and rich for repeated visits, letting children revisit the story, colours, characters and pattern-based text again and again.