Swamptastic!: A Shelly and Hopper Adventure

by Julie Hodge

"This is a charmingly sweet book about two friends and the importance of staying positive and open to growth." -Amazon Review by Chelsea

Hopper has always been afraid of change. He knows what he likes and he wants it to stay that way. But when his pond dries up, Hopper and his best friend Shelly are force to find a new home. The journey does not go smoothly and Hopper slowly sinks into hopelessness. Shelly is determined to prove to Hopper that these are temporary setbacks and that in the end, everything will be Swamptastic! 

Swampastic is a funny and touching story that reminds us that everyone has bad days. We could all use a friend like Shelly to remind us that change is a natural part of growth and that with focus and perseverance, we can learn to overcome many obstacles.

14 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2020

About the author

Julie Hodge is a painter, photographer, illustrator and writer focused on creating works that engage, inspire and spark conversations. She earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan.

Julie struggled with dyslexia from a young age. She didn't know she had a learning disability at the time, but with perseverance she found creative work arounds. Those early struggles led her to be passionate about the opportunities a person can have when they have a positive, growth mindset.

In her book Swamptastic, the main character undertakes a transformation from a fixed to a growth mindset. He learns that obstacles and setbacks are temporary. He realizes that if you keep focused on the steps you need to achieve your goals, and continue to move forward, that everything can be Swamptastic!