HOPEiDONT FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

At HOPEiDONT, every story starts with a feeling. We’re here to help children understand their emotions, build resilience, and discover the confidence that comes from being known and supported.

HOPEiDONT is a children’s social-emotional learning (SEL) brand created to help kids name, understand, and manage big feelings through stories, characters, and hands-on tools that build emotional confidence. Each book, lesson, and activity helps children develop the skills to feel safe, seen, and strong

HOPEiDONT was founded by educators and parents who believe every child deserves to feel noticed and nurtured. Our team combines classroom, counseling, and creative experience to design stories and tools that truly work in real-life learning environments.

The HOPEiDONTS live on Mt. St. Helens — a vibrant, ever-changing landscape that mirrors the emotional ups and downs we all experience. Together, these insights paint the picture of what HOPEiDONT is really about — connection, courage, and the belief that every emotion can lead to growth.

Mt. St. Helens is more than a mountain — it’s the living, breathing heart of the HOPEiDONT world. Every trail, river, and hidden village reflects a part of what it means to feel deeply and grow
stronger through life’s changes.

Why Mt. St. Helens?
Mt. St. Helens symbolizes strength, renewal, and resilience. Like our emotions, it transforms through pressure, change, and time — always reshaping and rebuilding itself. It’s the perfect home for stories that teach children how to face life’s challenges, celebrate their victories, and find calm in between

Every story on Mt. St. Helens begins with a feeling. Each character — Bigfoot, bear, owl, wolf, or ranger — reveals a different way those feelings take shape. Together, they form a diverse community where every species plays a part. The Bigfoots — like Buz, Budger, and Grandmasquatch — are gentle scavengers who gather treasures from the mountain: both natural and man-made. They find fallen branches and feathers right alongside lost human things — old radios, game pieces, a television frame half-buried in moss — and give them new life. Their homes are filled with creativity and history, reminding readers that even what’s been left behind can become something meaningful again.

BUZ
Buz is a mischievous, adventurous nine-year-old Bigfoot who’s always curious about the world beyond his forest home on Mt. St. Helens. He loves exploring, climbing, and imagining big adventures with his best friend, Budger. Though his heart is kind, Buz often finds himself testing the limits of what’s right and wrong — learning through trial, error, and encouragement from those who love him.
Like all Bigfoots, Buz is a scavenger at heart. He loves discovering what the mountain hides — a cracked game controller, a forgotten lunchbox, or an old television that still lights up when the thunder rumbles. To Buz, each find is an adventure waiting to happen. He’s always tinkering, stacking, or combining his treasures into something new, proving that imagination can turn
leftovers into magic.
Buz has a natural friendliness toward strangers and believes every day is a chance to make a new friend or try something new. His high energy and enthusiasm sometimes get him into trouble, but those same traits also make him brave and creative when challenges come his way. Standing taller than the other young Bigfoots, Buz often feels pressure to be a leader — even when he isn’t sure how. Through his stories, children learn that curiosity, mistakes, and second chances are all part of growing up with a healthy HOPEiDONT.


BUDGER
Budger is thoughtful, gentle, and wise beyond his nine years. While his best friend Buz charges ahead into every new adventure, Budger takes a slower, more reflective approach. He’s the thinker of the pair — often the one who pauses to notice what others might miss: the way a breeze feels, how someone’s tone changes when they’re sad, or when a friend needs encouragement instead of advice.
Budger’s scavenger spirit shows up in quieter ways. He collects with purpose — a chess piece missing its set, a gear that fits perfectly into a toy he’s repairing, or a cracked mirror he polishes until it reflects the sunset. He sees beauty and use where others might see junk, teaching that mindfulness and gratitude can turn anything into something valuable.
Budger’s empathy and kindness come naturally. He cares deeply about how his actions affect those around him and tries to lead by example — even when he’s unsure of the outcome. Though he’s the smallest Bigfoot in their group, his quiet strength makes him a steady, grounding presence in the Mt. St. Helens community.
Through Budger’s eyes, children see that leadership doesn’t always mean being loud or first — sometimes it means listening, thinking carefully, and responding with compassion. His HOPEiDONT beams softly when he’s feeling calm and balanced, reminding readers that peace and patience are powerful emotions too.

GRANDMASQUATCH
Grandmasquatch is Buz’s loving grandmother and full-time caregiver. Though Buz can’t remember exactly when he first came to live with her, her cozy home on Mt. St. Helens is the only
one he’s ever known. Widowed and wise, Grandmasquatch carries a heart as big as her laugh and a patience that’s been tested — and strengthened — by years of caring for a strong-willed, high-energy grandson.
Her cabin is always full of life: the smell of Grandmasquatch Stew or Baked Berries, the sound of old records, and the steady rhythm of her rocking chair creaking beside the fire. But more than
anything, it’s full of love. Grandmasquatch has a way of making everyone — Bigfoot or animal — feel safe, seen, and welcome. Her home is a gathering place for any creature looking for comfort, laughter, or just a bowl of warm stew after a long day.
Much of that life comes from what she and Buz have carried home from the mountain over the years — bits of nature and the remnants of human stories. An old radio hums softly in the corner.
Tin mugs from a forgotten campsite line her shelves. Buttons, wires, and fabric scraps have all found new purpose under her patient hands. To Grandmasquatch, scavenging isn’t about taking; it’s about rescuing what’s been lost and restoring it with care.
While she teaches Buz practical lessons about kindness and consequences, she also reminds him that love doesn’t run out — even when someone makes mistakes. To the community around her, Grandmasquatch is everyone’s “grandma,” modeling the warmth, patience, and wisdom that help
young readers understand that unconditional care is one of the strongest emotions their HOPEiDONT can show.
Grandmasquatch’s story reflects a reality many children know well. In the United States, more than 2.7 million children are being raised in “grandfamilies” — situations where grandparents or relatives step in as primary caregivers. Key members of the HOPEiDONT creative team were
shaped by grandparents who played this role in their own lives. Because of this, every HOPEiDONT book is dedicated to the love, sacrifice, stability, and everyday courage that grandparents bring to children’s worlds. Grandmasquatch stands as reminder that family can be formed by love, not just circumstance — and that a child who is truly cared for is never alone


RANGER RYLIE
Ranger Rylie is twenty-eight years old and in her first year as a park ranger on Mt. St. Helens.
She brings curiosity, courage, and calm to a world few humans ever see —because Rylie holds a secret gift: she is the only person who can see the Bigfoots and their hidden village, and she can also communicate with the animals who live there.
Every creature on the mountain trusts Ranger Rylie. When storms roll in — whether real or emotional — she’s the one they turn to. Her voice is steady, her presence reassuring. Rylie listens
closely when others speak and helps them untangle their feelings when their HOPEiDONTS start shifting colors or creating confusion. To Buz and Budger, she’s part mentor, part big sister, and
part guide — showing them how courage and empathy can work together.
Rylie’s connection to the mountain runs deep. She believes that understanding nature helps us understand ourselves. She takes joy in teaching others — whether it’s showing kids how to stay safe on the trail, talking about the “why” behind big emotions, or modeling how to pause and breathe before reacting.
In many ways, Ranger Rylie is the bridge between the Bigfoot world and ours. She reminds readers that emotions, like the forest, are full of life — and with care, curiosity, and a little
patience, they can grow into something beautiful and strong.

BALBINA THE BEAR
Balbina the Bear is quiet, thoughtful, and sometimes a little unsure of herself. She dreams of big adventures and new experiences but often hesitates to take the first step. Though she’s strong on the outside, she sometimes wrestles inside with self doubt — wondering if she’s brave enough, good enough, or ready enough to try.
Balbina has always loved the water. She finds peace sitting beside the river that runs down Mt. St. Helens, watching the sunlight sparkle on the surface and listening to the soft rhythm of the current.
When she’s near water, she feels calm and steady — even when her thoughts feel tangled. But the same water that soothes her can also challenge her; she’s learning to be brave when the waves get high or the current feels strong.
With help from friends like Ranger Rylie and Budger, Balbina is discovering that courage isn’t about never feeling afraid — it’s about trusting yourself enough to try anyway. She’s realizing that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is step into something new, one paw — or one splash — at a time.
Through Balbina’s gentle heart and quiet bravery, children learn that fear and courage can coexist, and that every small act of trying matters. Her HOPEiDONT often shimmers between yellow,

We have 32 HOPEiDONT Characters on the Feelings Identifier Poster, and 12 Books with 16 main Storybook Characters, each possessing varied strengths and weaknesses–and opportunities for the HOPEiDONTS to emerge and help kids name their emotions. All of these storybook characters help to make up the beautiful, diverse, nature-filled world in which they reside on Mt. St. Helens. Watch for our new friends as they come on-scene in each new book, we can’t wait for you to meet them!

HOPEiDONT Books is currently developing animated supplemental resources that will pair directly with our stories, lessons, and character-based SEL activities. These short, interactive
episodes will expand the Mt. St. Helens world and provide children with another way to learn emotional awareness through story.
Each animated segment will:
●Model how emotions shift and change in real time
● Show characters working through challenges in healthy, supportive ways
● Reinforce the emotional language introduced in the books
● Offer natural entry points for discussion and reflection
Ranger Rylie will guide children through these resources as a trusted and familiar voice — helping them explore questions, try calming strategies, practice problem-solving, and notice what their feelings are telling them.
These animations are being thoughtfully developed alongside teachers, therapists, child life specialists, and families to ensure they are both engaging and emotionally supportive.
They are designed to be used in:
● Classrooms
● Counseling environments
● Small groups
● Homes and family settings
Our goal is simple:
To provide safe, meaningful media that helps children feel understood — and gives them tools to understand themselves.

Every HOPEiDONT story begins with a purpose to help children understand their emotions and practice healthy ways to express them. Our books and resources are designed to make SEL approachable, affordable, and meaningful for both professionals and families.

Teacher’s Choice Pack: The entry-level HOPEiDONT SEL program, designed for educators, therapists, and caregivers who want to bring an SEL introduction to their classroom. Each pack includes:
● Slime Time Fun SEL story workbook (64 pages each), featuring 13 coloring pages and activities—one for each week of the quarter!
● All 13 Digital Coloring Pages from the Slime Time Fun Book in a digital download
● Plus all of the 13 Short Stories and SEL lesson guides that pair with the Slime Time Fun book for your classroom!
● 24x36 HOPEiDONT Feelings Identifier Poster—a vibrant classroom centerpiece that helps children recognize and name their emotions. Feelings Identifier Poster
● 13+ Printable Activities, Games, and Resources—ready-to-use digital downloads that support classroom and therapy goals.
● HOPEiDONT Character Emotions Sticker Introduction—8 sticker sheets representing all 32 HOPEiDONT emotions (Program Cost: $76.85–$167.51 Value!)

Ambassador Pack: The complete HOPEiDONT SEL program, designed for educators, therapists, and caregivers who want to bring whole-room SEL to life. Each pack includes:
● Case of 24 Slime Time Fun SEL Books (64 pages each), featuring 13 coloring pages and activities
● Plus all of the 13 Short Stories and SEL lesson guides that pair with the Slime Time Fun book for your classroom!
● 24x36 HOPEiDONT Feelings Identifier Poster — a vibrant classroom centerpiece that helps children recognize and name their emotions.
● HOPEiDONT Character Emotions Sticker Program — 16 sticker sheets
representing all 32 HOPEiDONT emotions, plus a bonus color-in HOPEiDONT sheet.
● 13+ Printable Activities, Games, and Resources — ready-to-use digital downloads that support classroom and therapy goals.
● Printable Teacher Binder Resources, including progress trackers, calendars,
lesson plans, parent letters, check-ins, and more

Ongoing Partner Benefits — exclusive educator pricing, 30% off HOPEiDONT
therapy and sensory products, and 70% off teacher pricing on books for immediate family members for participating classrooms that partner with us. (Because the partnering teacher has invested in HOPEiDONT resources, we appreciate being able to pass on savings to those individuals in the child’s life that could use some
extra support.)
(Program Cost: $149.99 — a $545 value!)

HOPEiDONT follows a quarterly rhythm because emotional development takes time and children learn best when concepts are introduced gently, revisited consistently, and practiced in
real-life situations.
Each year’s four-book series is built around a unifying theme that children encounter in everyday life. Our first annual series is the Safety Series, which explores emotional responses to:
● Water safety
● Fire safety
● Natural disasters
● Bullying & social pressure

These topics give children real-world examples of moments when emotions can feel intense and where courage, calm, connection, and support make all the difference.

The four-book structure allows children to:
• Build emotional language gradually
• See characters model emotional growth over time
• Practice SEL skills in familiar patterns and routines
• Return to stories week after week
• Carry their learning consistently across home and school

This steady pace mirrors the way emotions work in real life: we don’t learn emotional confidence in one lesson — we grow it one moment at a time.

By the end of the year, children and adults have shared:
• A common emotional vocabulary
• A series of connected stories
• Tools and techniques used naturally in daily life
• Confidence in understanding and responding to feelings
The series model ensures that SEL isn’t a one-time lesson — it’s a journey walked together.

At HOPEiDONT, we recognize that emotional development is deeply personal — and every child deserves a space that belongs to them.
When a child has their own book, they are given ownership over their learning and space to process at their own pace.
Each HOPEiDONT book is intentionally designed to be used across a 13-week SEL cycle and serves multiple purposes:
● Storybook — introducing emotional concepts through relatable characters
● Coloring and Activity Book — encouraging expression, creativity, and
engagement
● Journal Space — offering moments for reflection, recall, and emotional processing.

As children interact with the book week by week, it becomes a record of their growth —something that reflects their progress in emotional language, self-awareness, and confidence.


Giving each child their own book helps them feel STRONG:
S — Supports individual learning differences and helps each child recognize themselves in the story.
T — Teaches consistency across environments by carrying the same SEL tools between school, home, and therapy.
R — Respects private emotional processing by giving the child a safe place to express their feelings.
O — Observes growth over time
allowing caregivers, teachers, and therapists to notice meaningful progress.
N — Nurtures emotional awareness and self-confidence as children learn to name and navigate what they’re feeling.
G — Gives children a place to return when feelings feel big reminding them they are supported and not alone.

A personal SEL book does more than teach skills —it nurtures identity, belonging, and emotional safety. It helps every child feel safe, seen, and strong.

Yes! Each story includes built-in SEL activities and reflection pages, with companion downloads for teachers, therapists, and parents/caregivers who want to extend learning through play, art, and conversation

Educators and child professionals use HOPEiDONT lessons to open safe discussions about emotions, choices, and relationships. The stories provide an entry point for children to recognize feelings in themselves and others and to practice responding in healthy ways.

HOPEiDONT partners with professionals who have direct experience supporting children’s emotional development. We collaborate with individuals and organizations who share our child-centered mission and are committed to helping children feel safe, seen, and strong.
We work alongside:
● Licensed child therapists and counselors
● Classroom teachers and learning specialists
● Child-life professionals in hospital settings
● Homeschool educators and parent-teachers
● Community mentors and child advocacy organizations

In addition, we partner with like-minded organizations that align with our purpose: strengthening emotional safety, building resilience, and supporting families and child environments

These collaborators help ensure that every HOPEiDONT story, lesson, and resource is:
● Developmentally appropriate
● Trauma-aware
● Emotionally safe and inclusive
● Practical and effective across real learning environments

Our collaboration process is ongoing — through focus groups, school tours, therapist input, pilot classrooms, and professional feedback loops — ensuring that HOPEiDONT remains responsive, relevant, and grounded in real children’s needs.

Yes, individual items are available for those just getting started or looking to add extra resources to their existing kits-build your own HOPEiDONT collection!

Yes! HOPEiDONT offers special pricing for schools, therapists, hospitals, and nonprofits. Every Teacher’s Choice Pack or Ambassador Pack already includes our lowest professional rate helping educators bring SEL to more children at a sustainable cost.

After purchase, you’ll receive an instant email link to download your resources. Each file is designed for easy home or classroom printing, and everything is clearly labeled for quick use.

Each digital purchase is licensed for single-classroom or single-household use. For larger organizations or district-wide programs, contact us—we’re happy to customize extended licenses and group access.

We publish four storybooks per year, based on a 13-week lesson cycle, each building on a shared theme like safety, belonging, courage, or friendship. This quarterly rhythm helps teachers and children grow together through a full SEL journey across the year.

Schools and therapists who purchase an Ambassador’s Choice Pack qualify for continuing quarterly Packs at a discounted rate. These Packs keep the stories fresh and introduce new emotions, characters, and lessons that align with the same core HOPEiDONT approach.