Hooked on the Wizard, LLC announces a children’s book and K to 12 initiative aimed at restoring arts education through storytelling and creative learning.
— A Founder’s Turning Point Shapes a National Initiative
Hooked on the Wizard, LLC has announced the launch of its children’s book, Hooked on the Wizard of Oz, along with its K to 12 arts initiative, Hooked on Courage. The announcement reflects the culmination of founder Shannon Elizabeth Johnson’s personal and professional journey, which informed the development of a program focused on restoring arts education access in schools.
The initiative was shaped in part by a life altering accident that left Johnson permanently disabled, prompting a transition from building businesses across multiple industries to developing a long term educational framework. The program now represents a structured effort to support creative learning and student development across a range of educational environments.
Addressing the Decline of Arts in Education
The announcement comes amid continued reductions in arts programming in schools. Arts education is often among the first areas affected when budgets are reduced, leading to fewer opportunities for students to engage in creative expression and interdisciplinary learning.
Educators and families have reported that reduced access to arts programming can impact student engagement, confidence, and communication skills. Hooked on Courage was developed to address these concerns through a framework that integrates arts based learning with academic and social emotional development.
“I did not build Hooked on Courage because the system is broken,” Johnson said. “I built it because children deserve more than survival skills. They deserve creative courage.”
Story Driven Model Anchors Educational Framework
The children’s book, Hooked on the Wizard of Oz, serves as the narrative foundation of the initiative. The story follows Ana Maria Margean, a singer and ventriloquist, and her rescue dog Waldo as they journey through Oz in search of guidance. The narrative incorporates themes of courage, companionship, and personal growth.
Released on February 14, 2026, the book is part of a broader educational model that uses storytelling as a structural framework rather than a supplementary engagement tool. An accompanying audiobook edition is scheduled for release on or before July 4, 2026.
The project was developed by Shannon Elizabeth Johnson, with contributions from Ana Maria Margean, Holly Faris, John Monforto, Teddy Pendergrass III, and John Assaraf. The collaborative structure reflects an interdisciplinary approach that combines creative production with educational design.
Integrated Curriculum Combines Arts and Academic Learning
Hooked on Courage is designed as a K to 12 initiative that integrates arts education into classroom environments. The framework incorporates elements of STEAM learning, which combines science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, along with social emotional learning components.
The program includes applications in music, visual arts, movement, and performance, as well as mindset based practices aligned with personal development principles. The structure allows educators to adapt components to existing curricula while maintaining alignment with educational standards.
The company reports that the initiative has been developed with scalability in mind, allowing for implementation across diverse school systems and communities.
Experience Driven Leadership Supports Program Development
Johnson’s background includes experience in accounting, franchising, advertising, and real estate. Her transition into education focused work reflects a shift toward long term impact through program development and community engagement.
“I have rebuilt my life more than once,” Johnson said. “This work is about teaching children they do not have to wait for permission to believe in themselves.”
The initiative has received recognition from figures in the personal development sector, including Les Brown and Jack Canfield, contributing to broader awareness of the program across multiple industries.
Focus on Underserved Communities and Accessibility
Hooked on Courage has been designed to support implementation in Title I schools and underserved communities. The initiative includes sponsorship and grant aligned structures that allow organizations to fund program access in schools with limited resources.
This model is intended to ensure that arts integrated education is accessible regardless of geographic or economic factors. The company has outlined partnership opportunities for organizations seeking to support educational access and community based programming.
By combining educational content with a structured sponsorship model, the initiative aims to support long term adoption and sustainability.
Expansion Through Partnerships and Community Engagement
Hooked on the Wizard, LLC has reported growing engagement with educators, nonprofit organizations, and corporate partners interested in supporting or implementing the initiative. The program’s structure allows for multiple points of entry, including classroom integration, community programming, and sponsored deployment.
This approach supports both localized implementation and broader expansion as interest in arts integrated education continues to grow.
About Hooked on the Wizard, LLC
Hooked on the Wizard, LLC develops educational content and programs that integrate storytelling with arts based learning. Its offerings include the children’s book Hooked on the Wizard of Oz and the Hooked on Courage K to 12 initiative, which supports creative development, social emotional learning, and arts integration in schools. More information is available at Hooked on Courage Course. Additional media and updates can be accessed via YouTube and Facebook. For inquiries, contact shannon@HookedOnTheWizardOfOz.com.
Contact Info:
Name: Shannon Elizabeth Johnson
Email: Send Email
Organization: Hooked on the Wizard, LLC
Website: https://hookedoncouragecourse.com/
Release ID: 89190659
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