Zoe & Zak’s Pain Hacks

A Book Series That Helps Children Learn and Talk About Pain

Zoe & Zak’s Pain Hacks is a series of five books designed to help children learn and talk about pain with their family, friends, teachers and health professionals. The first four books each address one key target concept; the fifth book brings these learning outcomes together with an empowering action plan. Used together, these books are targeted pain science education at its best.

Full-color illustrations bring the story to life

Book 1

Zoe Zoppins Nails it

Zoe is with her Uncle Ozzie who has an alarming accident, with a surprising outcome! They all learn that feeling pain does not necessarily mean your body is damaged.

Five Volumes of Pediatric Pain Science

This series covers multiple pain topics and features easy-to-follow visual aids and language. Sold as a series of five hardcover books within a slipcase, each book is between 28-40 pages. Zoe & Zak’s Pain Hacks includes the following storylines:

Book 2

Zoe Zoppins Lights it up

Zoe visits her Grandma Lizzie’s science lab where a colorful experiment reveals something amazing about pain and the brain. Zoe learns anything and everything can change her pain!

Book 3

Zoe and Zak’s Brainy Adventure

Zoe, Zak, and their classmates explore the brain through a mind-blowing virtual reality experience. The students learn that pain is one of their body’s powerful protectors!

Book 4

Zak Zoppins Retrains his Brain

Zak explains to Zoe how he is retraining his body and his brain with this action-packed action plan—he is getting back to school! Zoe wonders whether she could use a similar plan for her tummy pain?

Book 5

Zoe Zoppins’ Action-packed Action Plan

Zoe is seven weeks into her own action plan. Through her diary entries on a typical day, we see all she has learned so far. Having an action-packed action plan can be life changing!

About the Author

Joshua W. Pate, _PhD

A Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Dr. Josh Pate is dedicated to bringing pain science education to the masses. Working with an international team of experts, he developed the Concept of Pain Inventory (COPI), which was published in 2020. He is also the author of the Zoe & Zak’s Pain Hacks book series.

Who are These Books For?

Clinicians, educational experts, and researchers from around the world have reviewed and endorsed these books as helping educators to work effectively with children challenged by persistent pain. This book series can help:

Children living with chronic pain

• To learn about their body’s incredible protective system
• To feel acknowledged and validated in their experiences
• To actively engage with school, sports, family and friends

Parents and caregivers

• To develop an understanding of the complexity of pain
• To encourage evidence-based discussion with children
• To help children thrive

Clinicians working with pediatric chronic pain

• To have up-to-date and targeted resources that will form the foundation for pain education
• To easily integrate the latest neuroscience into pain treatment programs

School teachers

• To guide children experiencing pain through strategies to maximize class participation
• To promote wellbeing and resilience for all children through the lens of pain