Author Spotlight: Get To Know Author Kristine Smith
Author Spotlight: Kristine Smith
Joyful. Creative. Empowering.
Kristine Smith has spent her life helping young people move, express themselves, and shine. A lifelong dancer, studio owner, and creative force, Kristine’s journey into children’s publishing grew naturally from her passion for working with kids—and her desire to expand her impact beyond the dance floor.
For more than two decades, Kristine has owned and operated InSpira Performing Arts, a dance studio rooted in joy, discipline, and self-expression. But she wanted to reach children in a new way—one that blended creativity, representation, and connection. Becoming a children’s author was the next step.
A Story Rooted in Representation
Kristine’s featured book is a dance-inspired coloring book that celebrates movement, creativity, and seeing yourself on the page. Growing up in Oakland, California, Kristine noticed something missing—coloring books rarely reflected people of all skin tones.
That absence stayed with her.
Her book intentionally features illustrations inspired by real dancers from her studio over the years, making it both deeply personal and powerfully inclusive. Even Kristine herself appears in the book—a joyful reminder that dance belongs to everyone.
“I want children to see themselves in the pages,” she shares. “And I also hope seniors—whether in a senior home or coloring at home—can use this book as a creative outlet too.”
Where Joy Meets Movement
Kristine describes her work in three words: joyful, creative, and empowering—and those values shine through every page. Her inspiration comes from making people happy and creating shared experiences, whether through dance or storytelling.
Rather than focusing on a single main character, the book invites every reader in. The message is simple and affirming:
Coloring is fun. Dance is fun. And you can dance too.
Behind the Scenes
Bringing the book to life took about four months from idea to finished product. One of Kristine’s favorite parts of the process was finding the right words to match the dancers’ movements—capturing motion, energy, and expression on the page.
The hardest part? Waiting for everything to be completed.
Like many first-time authors, Kristine was surprised by how much she learned along the way—from the creative process to production and beyond.
Kristine strongly believes that representation matters. Seeing yourself in a book can spark curiosity, confidence, and new dreams—and that’s exactly what she hopes this book does for young readers.
Learn More
You can follow Kristine’s work and learn more about her journey at
www.kristinedsmith.com