Otis the Do Happy Dog
a series of books available on Amazon
In 2022, on the heels of COVID-19 and virtual learning, there was a call to support children's social-emotional development. An action-based program called the Do Happy Project was created by the Warter Strong Foundation to fill that need. The lasting lesson that grew from those days was the need to help children re-examine the way they connected to the notion of "happiness" and the way they looked at life in general. These children's books are written in honor of the important life lessons Oren & Ryan exemplified. Author Zach Warter sets out to share these lessons and, in turn, share a piece of the people he loved the most.
Join Otis, the Do Happy Dog, on a sun-soaked adventure by the sea in "Otis the Do Happy Dog and the Search for the Perfect Seashell." In the second book of his "Otis the Do Happy Dog" series, author Zachary Warter, once again, explores life lessons through the wise lens of his favorite fluffy companion.
Read along to a playful and catchy rhyming tale brought to life with vibrant illustrations as Otis and his friend embark on their quest to find the “perfect” seashell. Along the way, they discover that beauty and perfection are really in the eye of the beholder. They also learn that sometimes the truest form of perfection lies in the intangible memories we create through our experiences. Each page teems with lively scenes of beach life, as Otis encounters various characters, each with their own idea of what makes a seashell perfect. From a necklace of sea-worn shells to a sand castle adorned with shattered pieces, the story unfolds with gentle wisdom, teaching young readers to appreciate the uniqueness in everything.
Author Zachary Warter continues to delight readers of all ages through his use of beautiful rhyme and powerful vocabulary to tell his tale. Chalyn Waguespack, the breakout illustrator, soars with her depiction of Otis, his friends, and stunning nature scenes. The combination of these two brings a powerful message to life in a simple yet powerful way.
Join Otis, the Do Happy Dog, on a sun-soaked adventure by the sea in "Otis the Do Happy Dog and the Search for the Perfect Seashell." In the second book of his "Otis the Do Happy Dog" series, author Zachary Warter, once again, explores life lessons through the wise lens of his favorite fluffy companion.
Read along to a playful and catchy rhyming tale brought to life with vibrant illustrations as Otis and his friend embark on their quest to find the “perfect” seashell. Along the way, they discover that beauty and perfection are really in the eye of the beholder. They also learn that sometimes the truest form of perfection lies in the intangible memories we create through our experiences. Each page teems with lively scenes of beach life, as Otis encounters various characters, each with their own idea of what makes a seashell perfect. From a necklace of sea-worn shells to a sand castle adorned with shattered pieces, the story unfolds with gentle wisdom, teaching young readers to appreciate the uniqueness in everything.
Author Zachary Warter continues to delight readers of all ages through his use of beautiful rhyme and powerful vocabulary to tell his tale. Chalyn Waguespack, the breakout illustrator, soars with her depiction of Otis, his friends, and stunning nature scenes. The combination of these two brings a powerful message to life in a simple yet powerful way.
by Barbara Warter
Read along to a fun and catchy rhyming book while learning your ABCs. With beautiful illustrations, discover the ways you can achieve happiness (or “do happy”) for every letter of the alphabet. Author Barbara Warter sets out to encourage children to look at the idea of “happy” differently. In a novel way, the book shows children how happiness comes from doing things. ABC Do Happy with Me empowers children to embrace this idea and learn all the different ways they can “do happy”. Even if they have a sad, grumpy, or frustrating moment in their day, both parents and children alike can learn that they have many ways—from A to Z- to “do happy” too! This story teaches the alphabet, builds a vocabulary of action words (verbs), encourages positive action-based learning for feelings, and features a fun and silly dog on every page! A full alphabet in English and in Sign Language is provided at the end. A must-have for children of all ages and abilities. A simple yet profound message regarding the emotion "happy.”
Happy is a Verb
and other life lessons
by Barbara Warter -- spring 2025
Excerpt from the book:​
Ryan changed our perspective, and as I often say, everything in life is about perspective.
Nothing is black and white.
Nothing is all good or all bad.
I don't believe in good luck or bad luck.
I just think it is what it is. Life is just life.
One of the most beautiful gifts I learned from Ryan is that you could cry or be angry or mean or bear heaviness in your heart for the hardships in life. God knows Ryan had enough that you would even say he had a right to feel like that.
But he didn't.
Every single day, that child woke up with a smile on his face, his beautiful, big brown eyes gleaming, a kiss from his tender, soft lips, and an I love you sign from his warm, brilliant hands.
Every single day, Ryan woke up happy for his day's events, excited to go on adventures big (like Disney, which I was going to do just the two of us in July) or small (like going to Party City to get some new character cups).
Every day, Ryan lived happily.
So when people tell me I'm strong or I'm special, they have it wrong. I am just a reflection of the incredible child I was blessed to have as my own...
In loving memory of Ryan Bennett Warter
October 12, 2000 May 24, 2018
Best brother, son, grandson, nephew, friend, teacher,
dancer, dog-lover & superhero
Always in our hearts
LOVE YOU MORE