[Author’s Note: This summary is based on reporting by Tracy Kornet for WSMV (June 13, 2025), covering news and local interest stories.]
Hendersonville, TN – Tennessee writer and daycare owner Stevie Michelle Kimbrough turned viral news into a bedtime adventure almost overnight. After seeing footage of “Ed” the zebra, who had broken free and eluded capture for eight days in Rutherford County, she immediately used speech-to-text on her phone to narrate his story .
On June 8, Ed was safely recaptured, but within 72 hours Kimbrough had completed writing, designing, and publishing her children’s book, Ed the Zebra’s Wild Vacation, available on Amazon (including Kindle Unlimited) .
Kimbrough shared that the inspiration struck while watching the dramatic helicopter rescue:
“It just hit me… I spoke the story in speech-to-text and saved it into my phone.”
As a lifelong storyteller—who writes wedding ceremonies, plays piano by ear, and runs a childcare business—she actively engaged with her young audience. Kids who’ve read the book reportedly love Ed’s adventures across Murfreesboro .
Illustrations were generated digitally due to the fast timeline; plans are underway for a second edition featuring original artwork by a local illustrator .
Running Time:
- Zebra on the loose: 8 days
- Book written, illustrated, and published: within 3 days
- Release date: early June 2025
Why This Matters:
Stevie Michelle Kimbrough’s rapid-turnaround storybook captures the viral spirit of local news—a runaway zebra becomes both a thrilling headline and a charming bedtime tale. Her capacity to adapt real-world events into children’s literature highlights the evolving pace of storytelling in the digital age.
