The family behind the stories
Meet the
Authors
Two parents. A whole lot of imagination. And stories with a little something extra.
✦Hi! We’re the husband-and-wife team behind J.K. Smith and the creators of Monsters and Milk Bottles.
Like most parents, we’ve experienced our fair share of bedtime struggles, big feelings, endless questions, and those wonderfully chaotic moments that come with raising little ones.
Some of the best stories begin with the smallest everyday moments.
Why we create
Little stories for big feelings.
We believe children’s books can be more than just a good story. They can open conversations, help little ones make sense of big emotions, encourage curiosity, and give families simple tools they can carry into everyday life.
Our first book
Carter and the Creaky House
was inspired by our son, Carter, and the mysterious noises that seem so much louder once the lights go out. What started as an ordinary childhood fear became a story about understanding the unfamiliar, finding courage, and discovering that sometimes the things that sound scary aren’t so scary after all.
Discover the book →
More than just a story
Stories that carry on after the last page.
Our stories are designed to spark imagination and connection beyond the pages. With Little Tools, activities, and resources, we help families bring the lessons from our books into real life.
A little about our family
Made with love, laughter, and a little imagination.
When we’re not dreaming up new characters or working on our next project, we’re enjoying the wonderfully busy adventure of family life with Carter, Iris, and the rest of our household. We love building things, exploring new ideas, and finding inspiration in the everyday moments that make childhood so special.