Part-time Coachella Valley resident and author Janet Zappala is on a mission. She envisions a world where her grandson — and children everywhere — grow up in a community that values connection over isolation. She hopes to inspire children to become changemakers in the world.
And she’s doing it one children’s book at a time. For now.
Zappala never dreamed of writing a children’s book. Several years ago, she had been enjoying life as a longtime successful television journalist. She garnered six Emmy Awards, in fact. Then things changed.
“I feel the universe threw this in my lap,” she said of how her first book, “Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of the Calf Who Kept Growing,” emerged. “I was just mucking stalls at the Coachella Valley Horse Rescue one day, as I was doing in my many years of volunteering, and the director, who was a good friend of mine, said, ‘You’ve got to see this. Look at this picture of this steer spooning with our pot-bellied pig, Mabel,’ who was at the rescue.
“I just thought it was really cute, these two little animals, so different, spooning,” she said.
Zappala discovered that “Guapo” was a little calf that had nowhere to go, and that he was probably going to be destroyed or be homeless. A Coachella Valley woman wound up adopting Guapo, but that brought on a few surprises.
“Never in her wildest dreams did she know that this steer was going to become one of the world’s largest at over 3,000 pounds and over 6 feet tall,” Zappala muses. “In fact, we’re trying to get him into the ‘Guinness Book of World Records.’ He’s now 6 years old living there in the Coachella Valley, and I’ve always said, because I know him quite well, that he’s one of the world’s largest steers with one of the world’s largest hearts. You can lean on him, you can pet him when he’s eating, it doesn’t matter. He just is so sweet, despite his massive size.”
Soon enough, Zappala realized she had a good story. But there was a caveat.
“Being that I’m a journalist, I didn’t think about writing it myself, because I’m a newswoman, and I write things that are a little bit more adult-driven,” she said.
She ended up calling one of her dear friends at the San Diego Zoo, who encouraged her to write the book herself, eventually connecting her to writer Wendy Perkins, who would become the co-author. Illustrations by Lara Calleja truly brought Guapo’s story to life.
“Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of the Calf Who Kept Growing” was published in 2022 to rave reviews.
Based on a true story, of course, the tale tracks an adopted baby calf who keeps growing and growing — and growing. Towering over everybody he encounters, the story illuminates how gentle, giant Guapo teaches other animals that being different is actually a good thing. The book won the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Excellence in Children’s Literacy and the Story Monsters winner in the Picture Books category, ages 3 to 8.
But fate never tires. Another book would soon be born.
Now, in “Guapo’s Great Rescue,” our hero welcomes Clay the quarter horse into his world. Clay is frightened and very shy, so Guapo decides to coax Clay out of his shell and, hopefully, enjoy his new life with new friends. Compassion, friendship and patience comprise some of the themes explored in the book, which aims to offer valuable life messages that parents can impart to their children.
By the looks of it, “Guapo’s Great Rescue” is already off to a great start. It recently won a 2024 Family Choice Award, with voters noting how well the children’s book “enhances families’ experiences,” offering something they can enjoy together.
Even better: Part of the book sales go to Coachella Valley Horse Rescue and Come Back Ranch Animal Sanctuary in Eagar, Arizona.
“All of the main characters in my books all exist,” Zappala is quick to note. “In the back of the book, we have photos of the main characters, which the kids and the adults love because they see these characters they’ve kind of fallen in love with in the book. You don’t see that too much in children’s books.”
This isn’t Zappala’s first foray into publishing. Back in 2010, she released “My Italian Kitchen: Home-Style Recipes Made Lighter & Healthier,” which captured robust recipes featuring authentic Italian cooking.
“Guapo’s Great Rescue” feeds another hunger, no doubt, one that is internal and perhaps even more soulful.
“I say Guapo has one of the world’s largest hearts, which is why he’s a great example for children,” Zappala said. “He teaches by example important life lessons. He’s our goodwill ambassador. He lights the way for others.”
The book may also open doors.
“It’s asking children not only what they want to be when they grow up, which is a perennial question, but also who they want to be after they read the book,” Zappala said. “I hear kids say, ‘I want to be like Guapo. I want to be patient. I want to be kind. I want to be understanding of others. And I don’t want to judge.’ Those are the things that I’m trying to teach. I’ve read this quote a while ago, and I still believe it, and it’s that, ‘Kindness is not an act. It’s a reflection of your soul.’ Guapo teaches that.”
Big time.
“Guapo’s Great Rescue” is available on Amazon. Part of the proceeds go to Coachella Valley Horse Rescue. Learn more about Janet Zappala at janetzappala.com.
Greg Archer’s features on the entertainment industry have appeared in the USA Today Network, MovieWeb, The Advocate, Palm Springs Life, and other media outlets. His memoir, “Grace Revealed,” chronicles his Polish family’s odyssey during World War II. gregarcher.com.
