In a world full of stories, the most impactful ones are those that instill in young people a sense of hope and resilience. At Monmouth University, the BM-451 Entrepreneurship class, taught by Senior Specialist Professor John Buzza, students are transforming how children read by creating and writing heartfelt books with a mission that goes far beyond entertainment.
HOPE Books stands for Helping Other People Excel and is an initiative founded on the idea that every “child should see themselves represented in the books they read,” is committed to empowering young readers by crafting and creating stories that not only spark their imagination but also build their inner strength. Their mission is clear: “HOPE Books is to uplift, inspire, and empower children through stories which are able to spark imagination and build resilience. We believe that each and every child deserves to see themselves within each page they read, to be able to have HOPE when coming across challenges, and discover the joy and strength within these books filled with heart, courage, and positivity. Our goal is to help other people excel beyond the pages.”
By combining a variety of perspectives and experiences, this creative group of students hopes to develop children’s confidence by not only reading but also encouraging and inspiring them to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.
With every carefully crafted story, HOPE Books seeks to “plant seeds of possibility”, telling the young children that inside every obstacle lies a chance for growth and the capacity to overcome it is within themselves.
Behind the name of HOPE Book lies a story to be told. The goal is to release three books featuring the main character going through a struggle that is difficult to overcome, but ultimately realizing the power lies within themself. The first book will be about “A little sea turtle with a big heart and an even bigger wave to face. Terp loves the ocean, but when the waves grow tall and wild, he’s not so sure he’s ready to ride them.” This story will delve into themes of courage, community, and bravery that help foster self-belief.
The second book will explore themes of anxiety, following the main character, Benny, who has a dark cloud over him. With the help of friendship, communication, and kindness, Benny can overcome his anxiety.
The last book is about a kid named Michael with a prosthetic leg who goes to a wizard doctor who helps him gain confidence, and with this boost of positive self-esteem, he can help his friends overcome difficult situations.
These three children’s books are more than just stories: they’re a reflection of the class’s creativity, teamwork, and belief in the power of courage and self-confidence. Through storytelling, the goal to inspire shines through, and the hope to empower young readers is one of the many checkpoints in this journey. The class is ecstatic to share their work with the community, and to support the project.
