Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Ziva the Great by Cindy J. Vanous is a heartwarming story of friendship and healing. Ziva, a beautiful Maine Coon cat, had a troubled past before she found her forever home at the Freedmans. Although she seemed quiet and calm, whenever she saw a stranger coming into the house, she would growl and hiss as if she were protecting the Freedmans from something terrible. It was only when a little girl named Elise came to live with the Freedmans that Ziva found her kindred spirit. Ziva could look into Elise's sad eyes and somehow comprehend the pain in her past. It didn't take long for these two souls to take a liking to each other and start playing, bringing out each other's lively personalities.

Ziva the Great is a wholesome children's book that illustrates how seemingly aloof animals can forge bonds of friendship with like-minded children who take time to adjust to their new surroundings and circumstances. Cindy J. Vanous's delightful story is a must-have for families with pets and children, as it beautifully captures the magic of companionship and understanding. Ziva and Elise not only become fast friends but also discover and embrace the hidden facets of themselves that, due to their past experiences, had been hidden from the rest of the world. By opening themselves up to each other, they also exhibit the brightest sparks of their personalities for the whole world to see. Illustrator Rebeckah Gerstner's artwork is pure perfection. It wonderfully captures the kind-hearted natures of the two main protagonists as well as the Freedmans' home. It's a brilliant picture book for young readers.