Imagine freely
Give children room to dream, wonder and follow their own ideas.
Meet the creator
Hi, I’m
Steven Zaney!
Children’s author, creator and big kid at heart.
I love creating stories and activities that make kids smile, spark their imagination and bring families together.
A little about me
Ideas have always felt like adventures waiting to happen.
I create warm, playful stories for children and the grown-ups who share them. The best children’s stories do more than fill a few quiet minutes—they help us laugh together, talk about big feelings and see ordinary moments in imaginative new ways.
When I’m not writing or drawing, you’ll usually find me dreaming up new ideas, exploring the outdoors or enjoying a good cup of coffee—or two.
My favourite ideas are the ones that begin with a smile and grow into something a family can enjoy together.
Why Smiles Create?
Stories are only the beginning.
Smiles Create is a growing world of stories, activities and games designed to help children imagine, make, explore and express themselves.
Everything starts with a simple idea: creative time should feel joyful and welcoming. There’s no perfect picture, one right answer or special skill required—just curiosity and the freedom to have a go.
What guides everything we make
Imagine. Create. Smile.
Create confidently
Make trying, learning and getting things wrong part of the fun.
Share the smile
Create little moments of connection for children and grown-ups.