Zeb the Zebra has been having fun with his new superpower. It involves a zebra crossing and some traffic cones (witch hats) and was fun for a
while. Until a lion got involved by accident. Now Zeb is in trouble.
He races to tell his friends Marmalade the Penguin and Barry the Lemur what just happened, but when he arrives at Marmalade’s cafe – it’s closed. Now Zeb is in bigger trouble.
When he finally gets inside to find out what’s wrong, he finds Marmalade in torrents of tears and Barry trying to placate her. What could possibly be so terrible? Marmalade has lost her superpower! She can’t make Mac ‘n’ Cheese with a whirl of her flipper anymore!
Oh oh. Zeb is in so much trouble, and now his friends probably are too! The lion that got involved at the zebra crossing, is EXPECTING Mac ‘n’ Cheese for his entire pride – or he will EAT Zeb!
It’s time to get Marmalade’s powers back. But how? Cooking? Cheese? MORE Cheese? A relaxing mountain retreat? Whatever they decide to do, they have to do it fast. The lion is waiting. His tummy is rumbling. If it isn’t going to be Mac ‘n’ Cheese, it’s going to be BBQ – Zebra, Penguin and Lemur!
They’re back and they are just as funny as the first episode which is a Finalist in the NZ Children’s & Young Adult Book Awards 2026.
Swapna Haddow & Minky Stapleton are the dream team for anyone who loves to laugh. I cracked up more than once at this terrible trio’s bumbling efforts to get a super power back.
Again, when the going gets tough, their friendship shines through – which might just save the day. There are lots of gags (beginning with a cockroach – sorry you’ll have to read it), all the way through with the promise of another adventure for these three buddies, on the way.
I for one, can’t wait!
Author – Swapna Haddow
Illustrator – Minky Stapleton
Age – 6+
Find more Swapna Haddow books here
Find more Minky Stapleton books here
(2026, Humour, Funny, Laugh out Loud, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Animals, Series, Friendship, Bullies, Fantasy)