Ziva the Great

by

Cindy J. Vanous

Illustrated by Rebeckah Gerstner

Lovely story with unexpected emotional depth.

Ziva the Great is the name of a beautiful Maine Coon cat and the title of this lovely children's picture book by Cindy J. Vanous. When Ziva comes to the Freedman's, she finds a home full of warmth, safety, and love, and later, when a young girl named Elsie shows up on their doorstep, a single small suitcase in hand, Ziva recognizes a kindred spirit in the way only an animal can. Together, they bond and help each other heal, getting a new start on the kind of lives they were always meant to have. 

The tale is a quiet one, with so much left to the reader's imagination. We are not told the backstories of either Ziva or Elsie, but we know both have been through troubling, traumatic times. The author points out the look deep in the cat's eyes as a window into her soul. Experiences in Ziva's past destroyed her trust in humans, especially strangers, but her life with the vulnerable young Elsie is a turning point for the cat as much as it is for the sad, little girl. 

The illustrations by Rebeckah Gerstner are wonderful renderings of the story's actions and emotions. Each colorful image does its utmost to bring Ziva's and Elsie's story to life. 

With its poignant inferences and lovely resolution, this story is as much for older readers as it is for young listeners. I recommend ZIVA THE GREAT to picture book lovers of all ages. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.