A Smithers woman has brought a long-held dream to life with the release of her new children’s book, Dobie's Wild Imagination. The story, which follows a young boy whose vivid imagination often gets him into trouble, centres on his playful adventures with his loyal dog, Dex, and the lessons he learns along the way.
Author Shanley Hodges said the idea for Dobie's Wild Imagination actually dates back to her youth. "I was 18 when I wrote it," she said, explaining that her own wild imagination as a child helped shape the character of Dobie. Hodges added that the book draws on her own experiences: "It's kind of based on a true story... the experiences I went through as a kid with my imagination."
Hodges was motivated to publish the story by her two daughters, Kaysha and Shenaya, who loved hearing about Dobie’s adventures while growing up. The sisters encouraged their mother to share the story with other children, which led Hodges to pursue publishing. Thanks to Tellwell Publishing, her story has now reached a wider audience. "They loved listening to Dobie's Wild Imagination again and again, and they wanted other children to enjoy it too," she said.
With decades of experience in the education system, Hodges has spent much of her life encouraging literacy and creativity among children. "I always like entertaining children, and reading to them was, you know, a big part of my life," she said.
The book, now available through the major online retailers, is also for sale in person at local Smithers booksellers Heartstrings and Out of Hand.
While Dobie's Wild Imagination features a young boy, Shanley is already planning a new story. "The next book is going to be about a young girl named Dixie," she revealed, excited to continue exploring imaginative adventures.
