Inspired by the children’s book by Shayla Michelle and Mike Reaves Jr., My Daddy’s Crescent Smile creates gentle, creative space for children, families, and caregivers to remember, reflect, and heal together.
My Daddy’s Crescent Smile is an illustrated children’s book that explores grief, remembrance, emotional expression, and the connection that continues after loss. Written by Shayla Michelle and Mike Reaves Jr., it gives children, and the adults who love them, a tender way to name big feelings and hold on to the people they miss.
Around the book, WestBone built a healing-centered experience that turns a story into a shared moment. Through storytelling, reflection, creativity, and facilitated conversation, it supports emotional wellness for youth, families, and caregivers, and makes hard conversations about grief feel welcoming instead of clinical.
Reflection → Expression → Healing
A narrative journey through laughter, tension, and revelation told in vignettes that feel both personal and universal.
A live reading of My Daddy's Crescent Smile in a calm, safe space, with guided reflection questions for kids and parents to explore together.
Hands-on art that helps children express emotion, drawing a loved one's crescent smile and the moments that bring comfort.
Guided breathing, gentle stretching, and music-and-movement breaks that help children process feelings physically and shake it out.
In partnership with Art Is My Weapon, children and families paint messages to loved ones on canvases that become a shared reflection wall.
A safe space to put grief into words, writing how families can support each other, naming current feelings, and sharing words of comfort.
Creative practice that helps caregivers reconnect with themselves and others through improv, storytelling, and expression.
A community table where peach cobbler opens honest conversation about grief, mental health, and healing, alongside real support.
A performance-based session for caregivers and care teams to practice presence across difference and recognize bias in real time.
Cobbler & Conversation is a free community gathering where peach cobbler becomes a conduit for honest conversation about grief, mental health, and healing. Grounded in the themes of My Daddy’s Crescent Smile and held alongside mental health professionals and community voices, it blends storytelling, facilitated discussion, and reflection into a warm, welcoming space. People leave feeling more connected, more hopeful, and closer to the support they need.
We shaped this experience to meet people where they are. Each edition holds the same tender core but fits the room, the need, and the moment.
We still hope
A film screening and dialogue exploring resilience, faith, and justice.
Hospital edition
Gentle bedside-friendly support for young patients and their families.
School edition
Classroom programming that opens space for grief and emotional wellness.
Conference edition
A keynote-style experience for professional audiences and care networks.
After attending, participants reported feeling more hopeful and more connected, greater comfort talking about grief, and new awareness of support resources.
Production stills and behind-the-scenes moments capturing the warmth and intimacy of the performance.
How the show created connection and belonging for those in the room.
Grief can be heavy, and you do not have to carry it by yourself. If you or someone you love needs support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free help, available any time by call or text. NAMI Minnesota can also connect you and your family with mental health resources.
