When Healing Looks Like a Cat

Some of the most unforgettable stories begin quietly. With a glance. A feeling. A mystery no one can quite explain. That’s how it was with Ziva.

Ziva is a real cat. She's proud, cautious, and full of mystery. She came to the Fredmans as an adult, and although she loves and trusts them fully, she didn’t trust anyone else. If you were a stranger entering her home, she made sure you knew this was her home. She protected herself the only way she knew how.

But every time I visited, I saw something deeper in her fierce eyes. I saw a softness. A story untold.

No one knows her past. but you can feel it, like a scar tucked beneath her fur. I brushed the thought aside until one day, while I was cleaning, Ziva’s story arrived. Not the story of a “mean cat,” but the story of a heart learning to trust again. A story of healing.

It reminded me of another remarkable animal you may know… Seabiscuit was once underestimated by many — small, overlooked, and unsure of his place in the world. He lost race after race until someone finally saw the spark inside his eyes. With patience, kindness, and belief, he became a champion. Not by changing who he was, but by discovering who he could be when someone believed in him.

Most animals will never become famous. They won’t break records, win trophies, or have their names in history books. But just like Seabiscuit, every animal has a story. A reason they fight, a reason they hide, and a greatness waiting to rise up if someone simply sees them. Ziva the Great is a story in that same spirit. A cat who has every reason to be cautious, and a little girl who understands that feeling all too well. She also has an unspoken past, and it’s through her gentle understanding that Ziva begins to trust again. Two souls seeing hurt in each other… and choosing grace instead.

True healing isn’t loud. It's usually very quiet. It looks like love arriving with gentle footsteps. It looks… a little like a cat discovering she is safe again. That is the heart of Ziva the Great. A story built from tenderness and hope. And it has already begun to touch others.

I’m thrilled to share that Ziva the Great received the “Get It” Accolade from Kirkus Reviews. A rare honor given to only a small percentage of books they recommend. It means they saw something special in Ziva’s story too.

Illustrator Rebeckah Gerstner brought that journey to life with stunning, hand-painted artwork, capturing not just Ziva’s strength, but also her fragile hope. Every page is filled with emotion.

Ziva’s story officially steps into the world next month. And this little behind-the-scenes secret? That’s just for you… my dear readers… the ones who believe in stories with heart.

Thank you for believing in second chances, quiet courage, and the kind of love that helps us grow.

Because greatness doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it hides behind cautious eyes and a trembling purr, just waiting for someone to notice. And when we look past the fear…we give others the chance to become great too.

More is coming soon - until then, thank you for being with me on this journey,

Cindy