
A Stickler Valentine
picture-book · First published 2025

Author guide
Lane Smith is an American author and illustrator of children's books. His self-authored and self-illustrated work ranges from wordless picture books and humorous family stories to historical picture books, board books, and middle-grade fiction. He is known for distinctive surreal and satirical art, and for collaborations with writers including Jon Scieszka. Smith has received multiple New York Times Best Illustrated Book honors, two Caldecott Honors, the Eric Carle Museum's Carle Artist recognition, and the Society of Illustrators' lifetime achievement award. He lives in rural Connecticut with book designer Molly Leach.

picture-book · First published 2025
Not sure where to begin?

A concise, widely translated introduction to Smith's author-illustrator style and humor.

An award-winning, representative picture book showing Smith's visual storytelling and emotional range.

The best entry point for readers seeking Smith's middle-grade fiction.
Read in order
picture-book-series · ongoing
A series of humorous picture books featuring Stickler, a small woodland character exploring the world and seasonal celebrations.
Book 1 · picture-book · 2023
Book 2 · picture-book · 2024
Book 3 · picture-book · 2025
Outside the series
picture-book · 1988
picture-book · 1991
picture-book · 1991
picture-book · 1993
picture-book · 2002
picture-book · 2003
picture-book · 2006
picture-book · 2008
picture-book · 2009
picture-book · 2010
picture-book · 2011
picture-book · 2012
middle-grade-novel · 2015
picture-book · 2016
picture-book · 2017
picture-book · 2022
picture-book · 2025
board-book · 2011