JANET ZAPPALA
I couldn’t be more excited to publish my second children’s book, GUAPO’S GREAT RESCUE., and thrilled with our just-received Family Choice Award given to exceptional products that enrich a family’s lifestyle and create memorable experiences. Read the full press release here. This gentle giant remains close to my heart and has offered me a wonderful opportunity to speak to children about kindness and compassion, all based on true animal rescue stories. I’m grateful to my co-author, Wendy Perkins, and to Lara Calleja, who captured the spirit of Guapo and his friends with her beautiful illustrations. We continue to support animal rescue with book proceeds, so every purchase helps!
I'm proud that my team was awarded the Moonbeam Silver Medal AND Story Monsters Certificate of Literary Excellence in the Picture Books (Ages 3-8) category for GUAPO'S GIANT HEART, and equally thrilled with our just-received Family Choice Award for GUAPO'S GREAT RESCUE! Read the full press release here.
About Janet Zappala
Two of Janet Zappala's many passions are children and animals. As a child, she would take in baby birds that had fallen from a nest in her backyard. She would care for guinea pigs and parakeets – – not to mention her beloved terrier mix, Pepe. Today, Janet cares for her horse, Gunner, and her sweet Morkie, Teddy.
An award-winning broadcast journalist, garnering six Emmy awards and 14 Emmy nominations (her work, featuring the man of 1000 voices, Mel Blanc, won her a Golden Mike award in Los Angeles), Janet is co-author of the award-winning Guapo's Adventures picture book series. Guapo's Giant Heart is the recipient of the 2022 Moonbeam Silver Medal and 2022 Story Monsters Approved Picture Books awards. Her newest picture book release, Guapo's Great Rescue, was recently honored with the 2024 Family Choice Award. Said Janet, "We are thrilled that our message of empathy and goodness resonated with all 12 judges and are grateful for their unanimous vote of support in promoting these essential values to young readers."
Writing about Guapo's adventures has allowed Janet to meet countless families and talk about the important life messages that Guapo teaches--many of which she taught her own child, now a successful attorney, and her pride and joy, along with her beautiful daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. As they start their own family, the life messages of Guapo will continue to be passed down through the generations.
Contact Me
To learn about partnership opportunities, request interviews, or have questions related to Guapo's Adventures and animal rescue, fill out the form and I'll get right back to you!
