Shari Faden Donahue, a Bucks County author, illustrator, and owner of the beloved Zebra-Striped Whale in Newtown, is celebrating a milestone year in more ways than one. To mark the 20th anniversary of her family-owned shop, Donahue has released her fifth Zebra-Striped Whale children’s book. It's her 12th published work overall, including two titles published through her nonprofit organization to benefit community causes.
Her latest title, Zebra-Striped Whale’s Ice Cream Party, which she also illustrated, invites young readers under the sea, where a mermaid, octopus, dolphin, and other sea animals each boast about their favorite flavors. But the Zebra-Striped Whale reminds them all that the sweetest part of ice cream is sharing it with friends. Told in lively rhymes and paired with whimsical illustrations, the story doubles as a celebration of the shop’s two decades as a community gathering place.
“It’s a sweet story with fun pictures,” Donahue explained. “Every character thinks its flavor is the best, but in the end Zebra-Striped Whale shows that there’s no wrong or right flavor. What matters most is enjoying ice cream together.”
For Donahue, the project blends her two passions — storytelling and ice cream. The original Zebra-Striped Whale with the Polka-Dot Tail, published in 2001 to honor her late father, inspired the name of the ice cream shop when it opened in 2004. Since then, it has become a Newtown staple, known for its Whirlwinds™ (hand-mixed ice cream creations), custom cakes, and whimsical displays.
Over the years, Zebra-Striped Whale has earned numerous honors, including Best of Philly, Bucks County’s Finest, and Bucks Happening List Winner in both 2021 and 2024. Donahue notes that the shop is more than a place to grab dessert — it’s a place for celebrations big and small, from birthdays to even marriage proposals.
Visit Zebra-Striped Whale at 12 South State Street, Newtown, PA, call 215-860-4122, or visit www.zebrastripedwhale.com
