About Zobie’s Kids

Zobie’s Kids is a multimedia, cross-cultural storytelling project centered on Zobie, a lovable dragon with a big red heart, and Maddie, the young girl who brought him to life. Together, they embark on adventures that help children – especially those with special needs – feel included, valued, and empowered. The project promotes inclusion, kindness, and the message that all kids are winners.

In The Dragon Who Learned How to Drive, the first book in the Zobie’s Kids series, Maddie helps Zobie navigate the challenges of learning something new. Along the way, they discover that the road to success is not about speed, but about perseverance, teamwork, and a lot of heart. The Zobie’s Kids series will expand to include additional books, digital media, and educational resources aimed at fostering empathy and understanding among children of all backgrounds and abilities.

Zobie’s Kids was created by Barbara K. Cleary. An award-winning author, graduate of The City University of New York, former writer-in-residence to the 14th-largest U.S. school district, and radio program producer, Barbara draws on her diverse background publishing Zobie’s Kids books and directing Zobie’s Kids multimedia to help children with special needs. She blogs at attentionology.com and is an American Business Women's Association National Top Ten Business Woman. Barbara is the single mother of an adopted daughter who is on the autism spectrum and has multiple health issues.