Hail Julius Zebra! Star of a brilliant new series by former Beano cartoonist Gary Northfield, Julius Zebra is far more likely to turn kids onto the Romans than any number of visits to museums or even Hadrian’s Wall. Julius is zebra turned gladiator, and in this second episode firmly established as the people’s champion. Hadrian has promised him his freedom but decides instead to send Julius to Britannia, what better way to impress the revolting inhabitants than with a fighting zebra! Of course, things don’t go to plan. The story line is nutty, and very funny, while the facts about life in Rome and Britain totally accurate. Northfield’s drawings are wonderful too – you’ll believe a zebra can wield a sword! ~ Andrea Reece
After the huge success of Rumble with the Romans!, celebrated author and illustrator Gary Northfield creates another brilliantly fast-paced, funny and utterly bonkers adventure for Julius Zebra and his hapless pals to go on.
Emperor Hadrian has one last favour to ask of the gladiator animals before he will grant them their greatest wish - freedom. They must go to the far-off and strange land of Britain to win over the crowds of his empire. But this will be no happy-go-lucky holiday...Instead of buckets and spades, our stripy hero and his friends will need all their powers and wits about them if they're going to survive their most wild and rebellious opponents yet. Cram-packed with jokes and bursting with action, this is a hilarious romp and mad-cap introduction to Roman Britain.
Bonkers but brilliant angels & urchins [A] pleasingly daft romp... the book has a very Horrible Histories sense of humour and grounds its silliness with facts about gladiatorial combat. Financial Times
It's perfect for 6 to 8 year olds, and especially for those fascinated by the Romans as there are plenty of snippets of history to be picked up while enjoying the story. Parents in Touch
My favourite character is the warthog because he is always citing uninteresting facts, even at the very worst of times. I found this both funny and annoying and he reminded me of my brother. -- Reader Review Guardian Children's Book Site
The comically classical way to learn about the Romans! Lancashire Evening Post
Completely ridiculous plot line and zany characters are highly entertaining and somehow manage to combine daft antics with historical facts. Great! WRD
As well as providing much hilarity Julius Zebra cunningly educates about Ancient Rome without ever feeling like a lesson [...] A wonderfully ridiculous book; full of fun it will educate and entertain in equal measures. Highly recommended. The School Librarian
Sometimes a book comes along that is pure joy, and this is one of them. Literary Review
This quirky, humorous book is part graphic novel, which makes it ideal for reluctant readers. Washington Independent Review of Books
Author
About Gary Northfield
Gary Northfield is an award-winning and bestselling author and illustrator of children's books and comics. His bestselling Julius Zebra series has now been translated into 18 languages worldwide and includes four books: Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans!; Julius Zebra: Bundle with the Britons!; Julius Zebra: Entangled with the Egyptians!; and Julius Zebra: Grapple with the Greeks! Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans! won the 2017 Spellbinding Book Award voted for by children. Gary's other books include The Terrible Tales of the Teenytinysaurs! and Gary's Garden.
Gary's work is also published in The Beano, The Dandy and National Geographic Kids among many other magazines. He lives with his dog Roly, partner Nicky and twins.
