Zella, Zack, and Zodiac is a 1986 children's storybook by Bill Peet.
A zebra mare named Zella happens on an abandoned ostrich chick called Zack and takes over caring for him. Then, when Zella has her own colt, the now grown-up Zack proves to be instrumental in protecting his younger brother, Zodiac, who is born with over-sized hooves.
This book includes examples of the following tropes:
- Because You Were Nice to Me: When Zella thanks Zack at the end of the book, he reminds her that he used to be the child who gave her trouble, so it's only fair that he be there to protect Zodiac until he grows into his hooves.
- Crisis Catch And Carry: Zella's colt Zodiac has big hooves that keep him from moving fast. His adoptive brother Zack keeps a guard over him and is ready to snatch him up and carry him away from a predator if necessary.
- Family Theme Naming: Zella, Zack, and Zodiac all have names beginning with Z.
- Interspecies Adoption: Zella, a zebra, takes an abandoned ostrich chick under her wing.
- Parental Abandonment: Zack's siblings all hatched before he did and when he finally got out, nobody was there.
