explore books
JOSIE'S HOPE: A SECRET CITY REVEALED THE GRAPHIC STYLE READER-paperback (Perfect for Grades 3-7)
Josie’s Hope: A Secret City Revealed is an engaging informational graphic reader inspired by the hidden history surrounding the top-secret World War II Manhattan Project in what is now known as Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Journey with the courageous, brave, and hopeful Josie as she pieces together the mystery surrounding her hometown and discovers the secret that would forever change her community. As a bonus, this interactive story also serves as a heritage travel guide, encouraging readers to search for hidden gold coins throughout the book that connect to real Oak Ridge historic sites and landmarks, bringing the adventure to life through exploration, discovery, and imagination while highlighting the often-overlooked contributions and experiences of African American residents connected to the history of the “Secret City ."
JOSIE'S HOPE: A SECRET CITY REVEALED COLORING, STORY, AND ACTIVITY BOOK (Perfect for Grades 1-2)
Encourage curiosity, confidence, and hopeful adventure in every child as they take the colorful journey with Josie as she connects the dots and discovers what would become of her Oak Ridge, Tennessee, hometown with the new Josie's Hope: A Secret City Revealed Coloring, Story, and Activity Book. Perfect Companion to Josie's Hope Graphic reader for younger readers.
ATOMIC HOPE: OUR WORDS AND OUR SPACES STE[A]M ACTIVITY GUIDE-paperback ( Perfect for Grades 5-8)
If you ever wanted to unlock the mysteries of a secret, have a personal encounter with relatively unknown people in history, and have a fun experience through the wonderful world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math STE [A] M in a unique city, the Atomic Hope: Our Words and Our Spaces Oak Ridge, Tennessee Cultural Travel Activity Guidebook is for you! Please don't be surprised if you leave Oak Ridge feeling inspired and motivated by the stories and the connected spaces of African Americans who changed the course of history.
MAKING A LITTLE RED WAGON-Paperback (Perfect for Pre K-2nd Grade)
MAKING A LITTLE RED WAGON COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK (PERFECT FOR PRE K-2ND GRADE)
Making A Little Red Wagon is a heartwarming tale inspired by the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, World War II Manhattan Project that celebrates collaboration and the importance of everyone's contribution. Join Hard Hat Hal and Atomic Genius Jesse on their journey of discovery as they tackle a special top-secret task. Together, they create an extraordinary little red wagon that has shiny red paint, soaring wings, and amazing speed that becomes a symbol of hope, American pride, and teamwork that forever changes the world. This story shows that with helping hands and everyone doing their part, we can bring ideas together to solve big problems and create remarkable things!
MAKING A LITTLE RED WAGON-hardback (Perfect for Pre K-2nd Grade)
MAKING A LITTLE RED WAGON COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK (PERFECT FOR PRE K-2ND GRADE)
MAKING A LITTLE RED WAGON COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK (PERFECT FOR PRE K-2ND GRADE)
Making A Little Red Wagon is a heartwarming tale inspired by the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, World War II Manhattan Project that celebrates collaboration and the importance of everyone's contribution. Join Hard Hat Hal and Atomic Genius Jesse on their journey of discovery as they tackle a special top-secret task. Together, they create an extraordinary little red wagon that has shiny red paint, soaring wings, and amazing speed that becomes a symbol of hope, American pride, and teamwork that forever changes the world. This story shows that with helping hands and everyone doing their part, we can bring ideas together to solve big problems and create remarkable things!
MAKING A LITTLE RED WAGON COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK (PERFECT FOR PRE K-2ND GRADE)
MAKING A LITTLE RED WAGON COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK (PERFECT FOR PRE K-2ND GRADE)
MAKING A LITTLE RED WAGON COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK (PERFECT FOR PRE K-2ND GRADE)
Making a Little Red Wagon Coloring and Activity Book, the perfect companion to the storybook Making a Little Red Wagon is designed for young learners. This activity book invites kids to join Hard Hat Hal and Atomic Genius Jesse in hands-on learning adventure.
With each page, children will discover:
- Coloring pages that spark creativity and develop fine motor skills.
- Tracing and writing activities to practice letters and early writing skills.
- Simple math games and counting exercises that build confidence in numbers.
- Pattern recognition activities for boosting problem-solving and thinking skills.
- Shape matching and puzzles to strengthen focus and comprehension.
Josie's Hope A Secret City Revealed BOOK Excerpt
MAKING A LITTLE RED WAGON BOOK Excerpt
MAKing A LITTLE RED WAGON COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK
Atomic Hope Our Words and Our Spaces Oak Ridge, Tennessee BOOK Excerpt
Josie's Hope: A Secret City Revealed Coloring, Story, Activity Book Excerpt
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. DISCOVER THE SECRET CITY!
Your Free Secret City Time Travel Adventure!
Bring history to life with this FREE interactive Time Travel Adventure to Oak Ridge, Tennessee’s Secret City. Inspired by the award-winning graphic reader Josie’s Hope: A Secret City Revealed, explorers will create their own Oak Ridge adventure by collecting historical gold coins, planning a trip, and discovering hidden history through storytelling, imagination, and exploration. Perfect for families, educators, homeschoolers, and curious adventurers who love history, mystery, and adventure.
Adventure Awaits.
We are so excited to have you in the Atomic Hope Kids community. Your journey into history and science starts right here—grab your free guide and let’s start discovering together.
experience tours and adventures
Josie’s Hope History & Hiking experince
Get outdoors in beautiful East Tennessee and step into an interactive family-friendly adventure that blends HISTORY, HIKING, and hidden storytelling. Explore historic Oak Ridge, Tennessee, through Josie’s eyes as she uncovers the mystery of what would become… the Secret City.
Inspired by the popular graphic-style novel Josie’s Hope: A Secret City Revealed, this immersive experience invites families to discover real places, hidden history, and the spirit of hope woven into one of America’s most fascinating stories.
Are you ready to begin the adventure?
discover hope's learning lab
Let's Spark a Hope Reaction
Our Lab is the heartbeat of Atomic Hope LLC, designed to give educators, homeschoolers, and parents the tools they need to turn Atomic Hope American History into lasting lessons. From rhythm and song to deep-dive history guides, everything here is built to spark a reaction.
Guides
Our Guides provide the instructional roadmap to turn inspiration into impact. These curriculum-aligned frameworks offer step-by-step lesson plans and discussion prompts designed to help educators and parents lead deep, meaningful explorations of our stories.
Digital Kits
Our Digital Kits are a fusion of multimedia resources designed to bring learning to life. From high-energy companion songs to curated historical deep-dives, these interactive toolkits provide the essential elements needed to create a full-sensory classroom or home-learning experience.
Making A Little Red Wagon Interactive Black History Digital Bundle
“Celebrate Black History Month with Fun, Learning, and Creativity!”
Empower kids to explore history, STEM, and teamwork with our Interactive Digital Bundle—perfect for parents, educators, and homeschoolers!
Inside this bundle, you’ll find:
✅ Making a Little Red Wagon Flip E-Book
✅ History Hero’s Biography Cards
✅ STEM Activity & Operation Adventure Challenge
✅ “I Can” Affirmation Cards to inspire confidence
✅ Mission Builders Game
✅ Jesse & Hal’s Secret City Song
Make learning an adventure while celebrating the achievements of Black History heroes!
Contact info@atomichope.com to paperback books in bulk for this activity.
Making a little red wagon theme song download
Unlock the Magic of the book Making a Little Red Wagon with Music!
"All Together Now" is the inspiring theme song that brings the spirit of teamwork, diversity, and creativity in Making a Little Red Wagon to life. Sing along, dance, and feel the message of unity that fuels this unforgettable story!
bring atomic hope to your school
Let's bring history to life
Award-winning author Katatra Vasquez combines storytelling, history, STEM, mystery, hope, and student participation to create unforgettable interactive learning experiences that inspire students to explore, imagine, and discover the power of hidden history through real stories and hands-on engagement.
Choose an interactive learning experience and invite award-winning author Katatra Vasquez to bring hope, history, and imagination to your school through the Book Now button below.
AUTHOR KATATRA VASQUEZ
Award-winning author, public historian, and former environmental scientist Katatra Vasquez brings history to life through interactive storytelling experiences that inspire curiosity, imagination, and connection. A Dayton, Ohio native and Tuskegee University graduate, Katatra now calls Oak Ridge, Tennessee home, where she spent more than 20 years helping protect America’s historic spaces and stories.
Through her engaging children’s books, Josie’s Hope: A Secret City Revealed, Making A Little Red Wagon, and Atomic Hope: Our Words and Our Spaces, Katatra combines history, STEM, mystery, and adventure to create unforgettable educational experiences for students and families alike.
More than a traditional author visit, Katatra’s presentations invite students to step into hidden history through interactive storytelling, audience participation, real historical connections, and immersive activities that make learning exciting and memorable. Her programs encourage children to explore the power of imagination, teamwork, resilience, and the untold stories that helped shape America.
As the founder of Atomic Hope LLC and Prolific by Design Press, Katatra is passionate about helping young people see themselves reflected in history while inspiring the next generation of thinkers, creators, explorers, and leaders.
Bring Atomic Hope to your school today and let your students experience history in a whole new way!
Interactive Learning Experiences
LEADING WITH HOPE: HISTORY, STEAM, AND YOU
This interactive program introduces middle school students to the World War II Manhattan Project era in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, through a simplified and student-friendly lens. Through a guided reading with an introduction to historical figures who contributed to the Oak Ridge Secret City, author Katatra Vasquez explores leadership, innovation, and courage during a time of global change. Using Atomic Hope: Our Words and Our Spaces, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, students engage in a thought-provoking STEAM activity that encourages creative problem-solving and critical thinking. Participants are invited to imagine modern technologies that could have supported historical journeys, helping them see themselves as future innovators and leaders. The program supports social studies, English Language Arts, and STEAM learning goals through historical inquiry, reading, and problem-solving.
Ideal Format: Classroom presentation or assembly
Grade Levels: Middle School
Group Size: Flexible (classroom or large group)
Length: Approximately 30 minutes
MAW ANN’S PEACH PIE SURPRISE: THE SCIENCE OF HISTORY ( WORKSHOP)
This hands-on workshop introduces students to the connection between history and science through storytelling and experimentation. Using excerpts from Josie’s Hope: A Secret City Revealed, author Katatra Vasquez shares the story of Maw Ann, a character known for her famous peach pies, and uses the narrative to explore basic scientific concepts. Through a guided, interactive experiment, students learn how chemical reactions work while discovering how everyday science connects to historical experiences. The session concludes with opportunities for students to reflect by sharing or writing about what they observed and learned.
The program supports science, literacy, and social studies learning goals through hands-on experimentation, reading, and reflection.
Ideal Format: Small-group workshop
Grade Levels: 1–5
Group Size: Up to 25 students per session
Length: Approximately 45 minutes
Materials: All basic workshop materials are included as part of the author visit fee unless otherwise arranged.
MAKING A LITTLE RED WAGON: A STORY OF TEAMWORK, INNOVATION, AND STEAM
This engaging author visit introduces young learners to the power of teamwork, creativity, and imagination through the story Making a Little Red Wagon. Author Katatra Vasquez leads students through an interactive read-aloud featuring Hal and Jesse, two curious children who use their unique talents to solve a big problem together. Through guided discussion and age-appropriate questions, students explore how different skills, ideas, and helping hands can work together to create something extraordinary. The program supports early literacy, social-emotional learning, and introductory STEAM concepts through storytelling, discussion, and creative play.
Ideal Format: Classroom visit or small-group session
Grade Levels: PreK–2
Group Size: Flexible (classroom or large group)
Length: 25–30 minutes