Mark your calendars! Just to See You Smile arrives March 25th, 2026.
Filled with playful tongue twisters and laugh-out-loud moments, this book is designed to be read aloud. There’s no limit to what this playful mom will do to hear her daughter’s sweet laughter and see the sparkle of excitement in her big brown eyes.
Whether it’s going bumpety, bumpety bump on a camel with just one hump or dancing with a bear wearing pink polka-dotted underwear, each wacky adventure ends with the refrain “Just to see you smile,” inviting young readers to join in and anticipate every silly surprise.
This wonderfully whimsical story is an invitation to slow down, laugh together, and build joyful memories through shared reading. Perfect for families, classrooms, libraries, and anyone who believes a little silliness goes a long way.
A Special Mother-Daughter Bond
Best selling author and illustrator duo Dolly Venables and Stephen Riggins have come together once more for their third book, Just to See You Smile. Following This Thing Called Kindergarten and Pester Lester the Mischievous Moose, this joyful story was inspired by Venables’ own efforts to make her daughter Chelsea laugh as a child.
Just to See You Smile celebrates the lengths a loving mom will go just to see her baby girl smile.
Free Gift
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Sign up for Dolly’s monthly newsletter today and join the waitlist to receive coloring pages (coming soon) sure to make YOU smile!
Have you met the cast of characters from other books written by Dolly Venables & illustrated by Stephen Riggins?
Pester Lester the Mischievous Moose
Meet Margaret, Brennie Lou, Robert, Samantha, Ms. Lucy, Pester Lester, Mama, and Murphy Moose
This Thing Called Kindergarten
Meet Annie, Mama, Mrs. Swisher, Debbie from the school office, and Annie’s friend Betsy
The Author
Dolly Venables became a children’s author to celebrate important life lessons and special connections with loved ones that have brought laughter, imagination, and magic to her life.
Raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota, she now lives in Huron with her husband, Gary. When she’s not writing, Dolly is active in her church community and enjoys art, photography, birding, and traveling with family and friends.
The Illustrator
Stephen Riggins brings a dynamic creative background to his illustrations, shaped by years in global development, graphic design, and experiential marketing.
He now illustrates from his family farm in the American Midwest, where big ideas and playful characters roam in his head long before they appear on the page.
Contact us
Interested in having Dolly Venables read to your class or at a speaking event?
Please provide details and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you.
What Readers Are Saying
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“What a great book and lesson for everyone. The author really knows how to tell a story. Great job! Looking for more books from this author.” - BP
DEDICATION
Dolly lovingly dedicates her third book Just to See You Smile to her daughter Chelsea:
“From a sweet, funny, giggly little girl to a beautiful and accomplished young woman, you have filled my life with endless love and joy.
My wish is that you cherish this book as much as I cherish you.
Now that you are a parent yourself, you understand the lengths we’ll go to just to see our little angels smile — no matter how silly we may look doing it!
Nothing compares to the feeling of seeing our children truly happy and fulfilled.
I sincerely hope this work brings a smile to your face and fills your heart with laughter.”
