Zeus' Great Adventure: A Tale of Resilience and Pawsitive Thinking
by Dr. Eve Weber, Ph.D.
Archway Publishing


"'Pawsitive thinking,' she whispered with glee. 'Turn challenges to adventures—just wait and see.'"

Zeus is a tiny terrier that lives on a beach in Florida. A family rescues him—Mia and Max—and they are moving because of Max being in the Navy. That's where the book centers around a nervous Zesus. He loves where he lives and is nervous about the move. He has so many questions about the move, such as whether it will be fun and if he will miss his friends. This is something that military families can relate to: trying to quell their child's fears. Mia teaches Zeus about "Pawsitive Thinking" to help with his fears. It helps him, and the little pup turns challenges into laughter.

Weber has created a story with a significant message for kids who are scared of the major changes in their lives. It doesn't have to be about a big move like Zeus encounters, but anything that is worrying them, like starting their first day of school. Weber's story is perfect for elementary-aged children, as it's written in a way that should be easy for them to understand. Weber keeps the plot straightforward while still keeping it fun. Weber doesn't want her readers to sugarcoat their problems. Instead, she wants them to learn how to see their challenges differently.

Kids will find Zeus adorable. Dogs are always a hit in children's books, while worried parents should find the plot helpful in guiding them on how to talk about big changes. At the end of the story, Weber smartly provides a note for parents and a diagram about Pawsitvity. Weber obviously put in a lot of thought into creating the story about Zeus and his move. This bright and beautifully illustrated book is written clearly and concisely. In the end, the same worried parents might even learn something from this whimsical tale, too.

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