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J.W. Zarek is a 2025 Moonbeam Children's Book Award Bronze Medal Winner and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose mission is simple yet powerful: to write stories that inspire kids, spark their imagination, and feed their souls by showing them they can handle life's big feelings and challenges when someone believes in them.
Every children's book begins with the same dedication to the reader: "Look in the mirror and think and say aloud 'I am enough.'" Too many children never hear this essential message—but for the child who needs to read, see, and say these words, this helps make the world a better place, one reader at a time.
Following a life-threatening hospital stay in Summer 2024, Zarek created an extraordinary 12-book children's collection in just 11 months (August 2024 – July 2025), addressing America's literacy crisis through emotionally intelligent storytelling: 10 Bella Brown books featuring everyday adventures with seamless educational integration, The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed (a revolutionary story showing monsters afraid of children), and Pip's Epic Treasure Hunt (the first children's story to expand Slavic domovoi folklore with original mythology).
With six #1 bestsellers across his published works and four picture books launched between September and October 2025 that sold over 2,300 copies in less than one month across eight countries (US, Canada, UK, Australia, Brazil, Spain, France, India), his work demonstrates both exceptional quality and proven market appeal. All four published picture books have earned Literary Titan Gold Book Awards, with Chanticleer Reviews calling the Bella Brown Series "one of the best series they have reviewed to date"—the same organization that awarded his debut novel their highest honor.
Currently serving as a Federal Senior Adjudicator and court-qualified expert witness, Zarek brings analytical precision to his creative work. His global adventures—teaching English Conversation in Japan, climbing Mount Fuji, getting kicked off Mount Rainier, hunting pirates in the Persian Gulf, navigating the Suez Canal, and completing the Walt Disney World Marathon—fuel his authentic storytelling perspectives.
His acclaimed works include "The Happiness Code," "Writer's Success Secrets," and "The Devil Pulls the Strings" (41+ awards, including Overall Best Book of 2021). Beginning in 2027-2029, he'll transition to full-time educational advocacy, launching school visits to directly combat America's literacy crisis while ensuring every child hears the "I am enough" message.
Zarek created extensive learning ecosystems beyond storytelling, developing 48 professional lesson plans (24 comprehensive and 24 topic-focused, spanning Pre-K through 4th grade) available free to educators through his website, making reading joyful while building children's confidence and self-worth.
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