Review of Zoe and Zack’s Pain Hacks

Estimates vary, but it’s sometimes thought that 15–30% children worldwide may suffer chronic pain. But all the books, support groups, therapeutic interventions and self-management strategies seem to be geared towards adults. Or they were, until now.

Because Zoe and Zac’s Pain Hacks, a series of five books by pain scientist, educator, clinician and father of three Dr Joshua Pate is the very definition of something you didn’t realise you needed until you see it. And then you wonder how you managed without it!

Written in rhyming couplets and with full-page, colour graphics and illustrations, the books are bright, engaging, educational and inspiring. Pain can be a drag and
learning about it isn’t always much fun. But this
series slays those dragons with aplomb.

Quite honestly, it’s so good it’s even likely to be picked off the shelf by children who aren’t in chronic pain. My youngest daughter certainly found it interesting enough to read the series cover-to-cover (despite not being a pain-sufferer).

And, like any good teacher, Pate knows precisely how to sugar the scientific pill, making the books accurate, informative and entertaining all at once.

They’re interactive too, with space at the end for the reader to respond to what they’ve learned, reflect on it, write down their own feelings about it and – in book five of the series ­– make their own action plan for overcoming pain.

And although it’s written specifically for kids, I can think of quite a few adults who would enjoy working their way through Zoe and Zac’s pain journey, not least (of course) any adult carers involved.

Zoe and Zack’s Pain Hacks, by Dr Joshua Pate is published by NOIGroup (ISBN 978-0-9873426-2-1) and is available from: zoeandzakspainhacks.com