Francesca
Smiley
Aspiring Author
" A curious child becomes a kind adult"
- Francesca Smiley
Hey you!
I'm so glad you're here.
Welcome to Francesca Smiley Books. I created this site to celebrate stories that help children feel seen, loved, and proud of who they are.
I Love My Hair is just the beginning!
I'm passionate about building books that reflect the world's beauty.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
About Me
Hi! I'm Francesca, but everyone calls me Frankie. I'm a mom, photographer, sales professional, and now, a children's book author.
I created I Love My Hair after watching my daughter Amelia light up with curiosity about her classmates' hair and culture when she started preschool. Born during the pandemic, Amelia had a limited chance to explore diversity early on, so I wrote this book to help her (and kids everywhere) feel proud of who they are and excited to learn about others.
Through stories that spark curiosity and build confidence, I hope to create books that celebrate the beauty of childhood and the richness of our beautiful world, one page at a time!
My purpose
I'm a mom first, and like most moms, I just want my kids to stay curious.
Curious about themselves.
Curious about others.
Curious about the world.
As a photographer and lifelong creative, I've always believed in the power of visuals to tell stories. But it wasn't until I became a mother that I saw how deeply stories shape little hearts & minds. Every night, I read to my kids and every night, they reach for the books they can touch and feel.
My children love making new friends and are endlessly fascinated by differences - skin, food, language, hair. They ask questions about traditions, holidays, families, and where their classmates come from. I wanted a book that didn't just answer those questions, but celebrated them.
I Love My Hair was born out of that. A simple, joyful book to help children feel proud of who they are and excited to learn about others.Because representation matters, and so does wonder!
My Vision
I Love My Hair is a touch and feel picture book that celebrates hair textures, cultures, and traditions from around the world. It's meant to spark curiosity, build confidence, foster pride, and help kids feel seen. It's simple, joyful, and deeply intentional. A sensory experience that invites kids to explore diversity through something personal and relatable: Their hair.
Here's a peek at the book's cover and a few sample pages. I'm so excited to keep bringing this vision to life!
Join my team!
let's make a book kids will love!
Every great story needs the right team. Are you in?
I Love My Hair is ready for the next step, and I'm looking for the right creative partners to help bring it to life. If you are a publisher, literary agent, or illustrator who believes in joyful, inclusive stories that help kids feel seen and spark curiosity, I'd love to connect. Let's build something beautiful together.
Let's make some magic!