Hannah Smith

Hannah Smith is a passionate children's book author and dedicated advocate for the celiac and food allergy communities. Through her inspiring journey and heartfelt stories, she empowers children to embrace their unique identities and teaches the importance of inclusion and compassion. The daughter of two teachers, Hannah was born and raised in Cumberland, Maryland, a small rural Appalachian town nestled amidst the picturesque mountains. At the age of sixteen, Hannah's life took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with celiac disease after fighting a mystery illness for two years. This diagnosis shed light on her health struggles and provided her with clarity, enabling her to better understand and manage her condition by adopting a gluten-free diet.

Driven by her desire to create positive change and foster inclusivity, Hannah embarked on a journey to write a children’s book about celiac disease. Drawing from her personal experiences and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by children with celiac disease, she crafted stories that resonate with young readers around the world. In 2020, Hannah published her first book, The Silly Yak Who Had Celiac. This heartwarming story follows the story of a yak who learns to navigate life with celiac disease with knowledge, resilience, and good friends. The book quickly captured the hearts of children and families, becoming a cherished resource for those affected by celiac disease and food allergies. In 2023, she additionally published There’s A Horse Yanking My Chain, Bev The Bird, Quack, Quack, Celiac!, and A Celiac Christmas.

In her free time, Hannah serves as the Executive Director of the Western Maryland Literacy Initiative, a volunteer-supported nonprofit she founded in 2021 to expand literacy in rural Appalachian Western Maryland through Little Free Libraries and book programs. In October 2025, she built a Little Free Library and donated nearly 500 books to Westernport following devastating floods earlier that year. Since its founding, Hannah has been able to donate over 50,000 books to nonprofit organizations like churches and schools. In addition to her literary endeavors, Hannah became actively involved in advocating for the celiac and food allergy communities. Hannah's advocacy efforts have taken her to Capitol Hill, where she has lobbied in support of legislation such as the Allergen Disclosure in Non-food Articles Act. Her voice has helped raise awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with celiac disease and food allergies, and she continues to fight for greater accessibility, inclusivity, and support for these communities.

As a journalist, Hannah has interviewed an extraordinary array of people, including actors Emma Watson and Ashley Judd, musicians Janelle Monáe and Katy Perry, Olympian Hope Solo, as well as influential leaders like Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s and civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson. Hannah earned her BA from The University of Maryland, College Park and her MA from The Johns Hopkins University. She is a member of the Allegany Arts Council, the Maryland Association of Writers, and the American Communication Association.

You can find her on Instagram at @CopaceticCity.