Janet Zappala turns a rescue steer into a children’s book series

Former TV journalist Janet Zappala is promoting the third Guapo’s Tales book, which launches Nov. 10 and uses a real-life rescue steer to teach children kindness, empathy and acceptance. Close Up Radio recently featured Zappala as she also outlined plans for school programs and possible animation for the series.

Why it matters: - Janet Zappala is using a real animal rescue story to teach children social-emotional lessons through books. - The series ties literacy to themes of kindness, bullying prevention, empathy and animal rescue. - Proceeds from the books support animal rescues in California and Arizona.

What happened: - Close Up Radio recently featured Janet Zappala, author of Guapo’s Tales, in an interview with Jim Masters on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. Eastern. - Zappala’s third book, “Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove,” launches Nov. 10. - Lara Calleja illustrated the new book. - The book centers on Guapo, a real rescue steer Zappala first met at a California rescue after ending her broadcast career in Palm Springs.

The details: - Guapo weighs more than 3,000 pounds, about double the typical 1,200 to 1,500 pounds for a steer. - Guapo measures 11.5 feet wide and 6.5 feet tall. - A white, heart-shaped patch appears on Guapo’s forehead. - Zappala named Guapo her goodwill ambassador, and the name also stands for goodness, unity, acceptance, patience and open-mindedness. - In the new book, Guapo and his friends water a dying tree and return a fallen bird to its nest, which causes the tree to glow. - Cody the Coyote plays a bully in the story and eventually learns that being kind is easier than being mean. - Zappala’s second book, “Guapo’s Great Rescue: Clay Finds a Forever Home,” follows a horse scarred by neglect who keeps his distance from other animals. - Both of Zappala’s first two books have won multiple awards for excellence in children’s literacy. - Each Guapo book works as a standalone story, and all feature the same four main characters. - Photos of the real animals appear in the back of each book. - Zappala’s granddaughter and dog make cameos in the new release. - Part of the proceeds goes to the Coachella Valley Horse Rescue in Indio, California, and Come Back Ranch Animal Sanctuary in Eagar, Arizona. - The full podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and Spotify. - More information is available at Janet Zappala’s website.

Between the lines: - Zappala’s pitch is rooted in a simple lesson: show children behavior through story rather than telling them what to do. - Her newsroom background appears to shape the books’ structure, with concrete scenes, memorable characters and a clear takeaway. - The series also blends branding and philanthropy, turning Guapo into both a recurring character and a cause.

What’s next: - Zappala is planning a program with libraries and schools that pairs the books with videos of the real animals. - She hopes Guapo will be animated as a feature film, a series or both. - “Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove” will be available Nov. 10. - Guapo’s Tales says the books are designed to encourage reading while teaching kindness, compassion, patience and understanding.

The bottom line: - Zappala has turned one unusual rescue encounter into a multimedia children’s franchise with a moral message and real-world charity tie-ins.