Jimmy and Max’s Adventure: Escaping the City” by Elena Zabala
At DOTT Academy, we believe that every story has the power to inspire curiosity, reflection, and growth. Elena Zabala’s Jimmy and Max’s Adventure: Escaping the City has become a favorite among our students, offering a wonderful blend of adventure, imagination, and meaningful life lessons. Through the experiences of Jimmy and Max, students explored the values of cooperation, empathy, perseverance, and problem-solving. The story encourages readers to see how understanding others and working together can turn challenges into opportunities for discovery and joy. One of the most impressive aspects of this book is its rich and intentional vocabulary. The language invites students to think critically, visualize deeply, and articulate ideas with confidence. As they read, our students were eager to learn new words and we’ve seen those same words seamlessly appear in their daily discussions and writing. That kind of authentic vocabulary transfer is the hallmark of powerful literacy development. Elena Zabala has created more than just an engaging children’s story, she has provided a tool that supports language growth and character development in a joyful, accessible way. Jimmy and Max’s Adventure: Escaping the City is a wonderful addition to any school library or literacy program.

Is my honor to write this testimonial for my friend, Elena Zabala. Over the years, I have had the privilege of knowing and witnessing how she has transformed and re-invented herself from a businesswoman to now an accomplished author of children’s books. She is one of the most genuine, reliable, and caring individuals I have ever met.

Elena found her niche in writing inspired by her two grandsons (James and Zaine). They wanted to hear her stories while encouraging them to come up with stories, characters, situations and endings of their own. The birth of this new passion sprang like a vision in the middle of the night that brought her fingers to frantically type away a story fresh in her mind. I was blown away when I read the first few chapters.

This new journey has evolved into something so wonderful, beautiful, and creative to bring learning, values, imagination, critical thinking, problem solving and the like into the minds of our young children today. It is a refreshing, new process to energize young minds.

Elena’s work ethic is outstanding. I have seen firsthand how she approached many challenges with determination and a positive attitude, never shying away from hard work or difficult situations. She believed in herself and positive affirmations that carried her through any obstacle in her way. And THIS is how she portrayed her characters in her books, and how she hopes to instill the same strong positive ‘believe-in-yourself’ attitude in young children’s minds.

Above all, Elena’s new journey in writing, storytelling, and teaching is exceptional. Her communication skills (and who could resist that happy face telling a story), will expand the students’ imaginations, and hopefully, nurturing future writers with her stories. Young children absorb information quickly; encourage creativity, imagination, values, and especially love. I strongly recommend

I like this book alot because it was very interesting and funny, i learned alot of vocabulary and it really inspired me. My favorite character is olivia and how she turned into an owl. It was a heart worming book and I loved it alot.

I liked the book because it had lots of character. I liked that felix and peoe escaped from the science lab. The book almost made me cry. For the next book can you do action? The little for your next book can be Jimmy and max thanks giving wish.