Why I Made April Lane
Hi, I’m Stephanie Six — an artist, art director, teacher, creative producer, and published picture book illustrator. I’ve spent my career creating children’s books, shows, toys, products, and experiences for clients including Netflix, PBS KIDS, Apple TV+, Yoto, and The Hidden Pigeon Company.
My background is creative, not clinical. April Lane grew from a belief I’ve carried through years of work in children’s media: that art, story, and making can give children a gentle way to understand the feelings of everyday life.
Watching my own son navigate big little feelings, I noticed how naturally he turned to making things with his hands. I began to wonder if creating something meaningful could help give those feelings somewhere to go.
April Lane pairs original illustrated stories with keepsake craft kits families can make, hold, and return to — a beautiful story, a meaningful object, and a small ritual for everyday childhood moments.
You can see more of my other work here, and I hope you'll follow along here at April Lane.
Tested with Real Kids
Each April Lane story and kit experience is carefully crafted and thoughtfully tested. I develop the work with guidance from Children’s Media Researcher Jess deMonsabert, PhD, and gather feedback from parents, therapists, teachers — and, of course, kids.
Through hands-on testing, I look closely at how children respond to the story, how they use the craft, what parents notice, and what continues to feel meaningful after the activity is done. The goal is simple: to create keepsakes children genuinely connect with, and that parents feel good bringing into their homes.
Making Gives Feelings Somewhere to Go
Big feelings can be hard for children to explain. Making gives them another way in.
When a child strings a bead, traces a heart, ties a knot, or holds something they made, the feeling becomes a little more tangible. April Lane turns everyday emotional moments into story-led keepsakes — small objects of courage, care, connection, and love that children can carry with them.
Illustrated by Hand
All April Lane artwork is created by me, Stephanie Six, by hand, from the first sketches to the finished illustrations.
I use traditional watercolor painting to give each story its warmth, texture, and feeling. No AI-generated artwork is used in April Lane books, characters, or illustrations.