My second book, co-written with magician Joe Romano, will be published by The Little Press in fall of 2026. Pre-orders can be found here on Amazon.

What would t-shirts, emojis, stickers, and text messages be without the classic yellow smiley face? Before it became a global symbol of joy, it began with one artist—and one dad.

In this vibrant and heartfelt picture book, readers meet Harvey Ball, the Massachusetts graphic designer who, in 1963, created the bright yellow smile that would eventually circle the globe.
Told through the imaginative voice of his daughter Jackie, My Dad Invented the Smile brings readers into a world of creativity, curiosity, and the everyday magic of watching an artist at work.