Presenting… Beautiful Smiles, a vibrant board book, e-book and lullaby that teaches children and their families how to say “smile!” in nine different languages, including Noongar.

But spreading joy isn’t the only purpose of Beautiful Smiles. The book and lullaby are designed to teach WA communities about WA’s early childhood dental health program, Smiling Starts.

In 2024, the Department of Child and Adolescent Health Services commissioned CAN to produce the Beautiful Smiles project.

CAN engaged Noongar creatives Cyndy Moody, Kobi Arthur Morrison and Tace Stevens to work with a group of West Australian families from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Supported by the City of Swan, four workshops were held at Beechboro Library, in which Cyndy and Kobi collaborated with the families to write and record the Beautiful Smiles lullaby, and Tace held a portrait photography session to create the delightful images that illustrate the book. The resulting book and lullaby celebrates the many different cultures and languages found in Western Australia.

You can listen to the Beautiful Smiles lullaby and view or download the Beautiful Smiles book here. Copies of the board book are being distributed by the Department of Child and Adolescent Health Services.

Got an idea for a creative project that you’d like to produce? Community Arts Network has 40 years of experience creating collaborative art that transforms communities. Contact us to find out more about how to commission CAN as a partner.

Pictured top: Nehal and Krishiva Raiyani enjoying the Beautiful Smiles book // credit Tace Stevens