Dora J SimpsonDora J. Simpson is the author of several beloved children's picture books including, "Opal's Upside-Down Dilemma," "Searching for Starlight", "Hopper Halloween Hiccup", and "Esper Noelle the Christmas Caribou". Her stories celebrate friendship, perseerance, and the special bond between humans and animals. Dora J. Simpson is the author of several beloved children's picture books, including "Opal's Upside-Down Dilemma," "Searching for Starlight", "Hopper Halloween Hiccup", and "Esper Noelle the Christmas Caribou". Her stories celebrate friendship, perseverance, and the special bond between humans and animals.This book was inspired by a real-life adventure when her Golden Retriever, Duke (the inspiration for Hopper), went missing during the shortest days of winter. The community's remarkable response and Duke and her eventual reunion became the heartbeat of this story. Her other dogs-Nash, who inspired the character of Fasa, and Bella, her Great Pyrenees/Siberian Husky mix who inspired Starlight-round out the cast of four-legged characters drawn from her daily companions.Dora's journey as an illustrator began when she embraced the challenge of bringing her own stories to life. Despite having no formal art training, she discovered that watercolors offered a forgiving medium that allowed her artistic vision to flourish. "I realized that my connection to these stories gave me something no professional illustrator could bring-the emotional truth behind each scene," she says. Each illustration represents both a labor of love and a testament to pursuing creativity without limitations.When she's not writing or painting, Dora can be found taking long walks in nature with her canine muses, where the changing seasons and quiet moments continue to inspire her storytelling.For aspiring creators everywhere who believe a missing skill might hold them back-your unique vision matters more than technical perfection. Your story deserves to be told. Read More Read Less