Professionals from disparate backgrounds join forces to write Zosie the Zebra, the first in a series of children’s books to benefit Highland Park Presbyterian Church’s (HPPC) mission in Njuthine, Kenya.

Begun in 2007, HPPC’s mission in Njuthine, Kenya, has helped to bring housing, irrigation, medical care, and education to this rural country village. “Fraught with danger at the outset, the HPPC mission work in Njuthine has helped its residents begin the process of transforming the town from a struggling village into a thriving, model community,” says HPPC senior pastor, Bryan Dunagan.

The Njuthine Mission is funded in part by The Mission Market, an annual sale that features locally made handicrafts from the village selected by Njuthine missionary and Zosie the Zebra publisher, Elaine Curtis. A baby zebra named “Zosie” from a set of handmade toy animals with wheels sold at the Mission Market inspired church member, missionary and co-founder/executive director of the National Registry for Adoption, Ms. Charis Boone Johnson, to write Zosie the Zebra, her first children’s book.

“Zosie is a baby zebra that was born with wheels instead of hooves. With encouragement and guidance, Zosie is able to triumph over her challenges with the same extraordinary courage and ingenuity that the people of Njuthine, Kenya, have overcome the many obstacles that they have faced,” says author Charis Boone Johnson.

Publisher Elaine Curtis adds, “Zosie the Zebra is an uplifting story that has the power to inspire others to lend a helping hand to those who are struggling to identify and cultivate their special talents so that they can care for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Illustrations and calligraphy for Zosie the Zebra are the co-creations of Dallas-based artist Benny Jack Hinkle, III, and apparel icon Derrill Radcliff Osborn. Hinkle and Osborn’s artwork graced the cover of the 2013 issue FD magazine, conveys Zosie’s story with a youthful whimsy reminiscent of a bygone era. Style icon Osborn adds a dash of elegance with imagination that perfectly expresses the inspiring story of Zosie the Zebra. Osborn says, “We collaborated to create a tableau that would transmit Zosie’s joyful innocence alongside the loving family and supportive community that taught her that her special talents were a blessing to all.”

Priced at $25.00 U.S., Zosie the Zebra is now available for purchase by the public at Highland Park Presbyterian Church 3821 University Blvd., Dallas, Texas, 75205, and via www.Njuthine.com.  Larger distribution avenues are currently being pursued.

100% of the profits from of the sale of each book will be donated to Highland Park Presbyterian Church to support the community of Njuthine, Kenya.