About Us

Meet The HOPEiDONT Team

Hello, I'm Franklin Smith, author of HOPEiDONT Books. I'd like to introduce you to the passionate team creating resources for your classroom, therapy office, or home. I trust them and I believe you will too. Each person involved brings something special to the table, and I want you to know why I chose them to be a part of the HOPEiDONT story. Born from the creativity of three knucklehead dads and guided by a team of dedicated educators and mental health professionals, HOPEiDONT Books blends playful storytelling with evidence-informed tools to support children's emotional growth. Our beloved Bigfoot characters, Buz and Budger, help kids navigate big feelings and important safety lessons-like fire, water, natural disasters, and bullying-in ways that feel fun, safe, and empowering. Together, our child-focused professionals collaborate with illustrators, animators, songwriters, and storytellers to create engaging characters and resources that connect with children while providing real tools for social and emotional learning.