The Story Behind Franklin: From a Simple Story to a Twelve-Book Adventure

This series started off with one simple story told to kids in a Houston Head Start Classroom.

Richard Hildreth was serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in Texas back in 2016. Richard was reading stories to kids one day when Hildreth made up a story about his kitten Franklin and his obsession with chasing Red Dots.

It was never his intention for that story to grow into a children’s book series. When Hildreth created Franklin he was simply a kitten looking to keep the attention of children listening to his story.

But something about Franklin was different. He had a dream. Franklin wanted to be a Texas Ranger.

That soon led to the question of what would it take for a kitten to become a Texas Ranger. Would it be about the uniform? Would a kitten have to be tough? Would Franklin need to be brave? Or was becoming a hero about something more?

Hildreth began to mold the characters around Franklin into a story that could not only entertain children but teach them about character.

The primary question Hildreth tried to answer was what does it mean to be a hero?

Could he teach kids lessons about integrity, courage, honesty, respect and responsibility?

Yes. But what about Leadership? Or compassion? How about standing up for someone else?

That was when Franklin became more than just a cat on adventure. He became a catalyst for children to learn about character.

Instead of telling kids what they should learn Hildreth wanted them to grow with Franklin on his adventures. Teach them through colorful stories that Franklin will make mistakes, Franklin will stumble but he will also meet challenges, help others and learn what it means to be a HERO.

In Hildreth’s original story Franklin and the Red Dot Ranger, a bright red dot that catches Franklins attention and takes him on an adventure to discover what the red dot is. After failing to immediately figure the red dot out, Franklin eventually uses every bit of his craftiness to finally solve the mystery.

The red dot wasn’t just a great story idea. It became a symbol.

A symbol of curiosity, exploration and discovering who you are meant to be.

And like that, the concept of a Red Dot Ranger was created.

Soon after Hildreth changed Franklin’s dream from wanting to be a Texas Ranger to becoming a Red Dot Ranger. A Red Dot Ranger is someone who strives every day to live by the code of character.

What came from that one story told to children became Franklin's Red Dot Adventures.

The Adventures will tell the story of Franklin through twelve books. With a few special editions along the way. Every book and every adventure will focus on a different lesson about character.

Franklin has a home at Los Gatitos Ranch where he lives with his family and friends. He’ll meet bullies, solve mysteries and face difficult choices while helping others and exploring the ranch.

The Adventures are designed to age with Franklin. He’ll still get into trouble. He won’t know the answers.

Kids will be able to relate to Franklin because he is still learning what it means to be a hero.

That is the heart of Franklin's Red Dot Adventures.