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

Former TV journalist Janet Zappala is expanding Guapo’s Tales with a third children’s book, set to launch Nov. 10, after finding inspiration in a California rescue barn. The series uses the real-life steer Guapo to teach children about kindness, empathy and animal rescue, with proceeds helping two sanctuaries.

Why it matters: - Janet Zappala is using a real rescue animal to teach children about kindness, patience and acceptance through books that pair storytelling with animal rescue. - The Guapo’s Tales series also sends money to animal rescues in California and Arizona. - The new release extends the reach of a children’s brand that Zappala hopes can grow into film or television.

What happened: - Close Up Radio featured Janet Zappala in an interview with Jim Masters on Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. Eastern. - Zappala’s third Guapo book, "Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove," launches Nov. 10. - The book features illustrations by Lara Calleja. - The series centers on Guapo, a real steer Zappala discovered while volunteering at a California rescue after ending her broadcast career in Palm Springs.

The details: - Guapo weighs more than 3,000 pounds, roughly double the 1,200 to 1,500 pounds typical for a steer. - Guapo measures 11.5 feet wide and 6.5 feet tall. - A white, heart-shaped patch sits on Guapo’s forehead. - Zappala says Guapo’s name 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 helps the tree glow. - Cody the Coyote mocks their actions, then 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 and uses empathy as its lesson. - Both of Zappala’s first two books have won multiple awards for excellence in children’s literacy. - Each Guapo book stands alone, and readers can start with any title. - All of the books include the same four main characters. - Photos of the real animals appear in the back of each book. - Zappala’s granddaughter and dog appear as 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. - Zappala is also planning a program with libraries and schools that pairs the books with videos of the real animals. - For more information about Janet Zappala and Guapo’s Tales, visit more information. - Listen to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and Spotify.

Between the lines: - Zappala’s pitch blends literacy, empathy and animal welfare, giving the series a built-in educational angle. - Her newsroom background shapes the books’ structure: the lesson comes from action, not lectures. - The rescue-animal angle gives the series a real-world hook that can support classroom and library use.

What’s next: - Zappala wants Guapo animated as a feature film, a series or both. - She plans to expand the books into library and school programming tied to video of the animals. - "Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove" becomes available Nov. 10.

The bottom line: - Zappala has turned one unusual rescue scene into a growing children’s franchise with a clear message, real animals and charitable impact.