Nationwide — A simple wish from a granddaughter — “Nanna, I wish you could be here every night to read to me” — inspired Annette Bentley-Smith, an African American grandmother from Georgia, to create an invention that could help families stay connected when they cannot physically be together. Today, she is the inventor behind Kobe’s Story-Time Plush-Tales®, a patented interactive learning and comfort system featuring a Keep-Me-Close Pillow Plush Koala designed to provide children with something comforting to hold while listening to stories, soothing music, and the recorded voices of people they love.
Now, she wants families and professionals supporting children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and sensory or emotional needs to discover Kobe. Unlike an ordinary plush, Kobe allows parents, grandparents and caregivers to upload personalized recordings. A child could hear mom saying, “You can do this,” Nanna reading a favorite story, Dad offering reassurance at bedtime, or another trusted person delivering a familiar message.
The audio content is interchangeable, allowing Kobe to grow with the child as families change stories, affirmations, educational content, and personal messages over time. For children who benefit from familiarity, repetition, routines, or additional reassurance, Annette envisions Kobe being used during bedtime, transitions, travel, therapy, hospital stays, separation from loved ones, quiet time, and other potentially stressful moments. “Kobe was never created to treat or cure autism, ADHD or anxiety,” she said. “He was created to offer comfort and connection. Sometimes a familiar voice, a favorite story and something soft to hold can help make a difficult moment feel a little more manageable.”
Annette is a children’s author, entrepreneur, and founder of AnneCorp Literary Works LLC. She has authored 14 children’s books and developed her patented system around four pillars: Connection, Comfort, Education, and Wellness. The complete system integrates the Kobe plush, children’s books, and interactive Story-Time Sheet-Tales®. What began as one grandmother searching for a way to remain close to her granddaughter has grown into a mission to help more children feel connected and supported.
“My granddaughter inspired Kobe, but my vision has grown far beyond our family,” Bentley-Smith said. “I want parents, therapists, educators and organizations to see what Kobe can offer and imagine how they could personalize that connection for a child who needs it.”
She is available for television, radio, podcast, and print interviews, as well as live product demonstrations. She also welcomes conversations with autism and ADHD organizations, therapists, educators, hospitals, nonprofits, sponsors, and family-support organizations.
Kobe’s Story-Time Plush-Tales® is currently available for pre-order at StoryTimePlushTales.com
For press inquiries, please send an email to annettesmith@annecorpliteraryworks.com or call 770-601-5561