Smith wrote three music textbooks all of which became widely used in North America and went through numerous editions:

In 1956, Shanet wrote the music textbook Learn to Read Music.

Her husband, Jacob, a writer of music textbooks, had devised a method of teaching piano to adults and insisted she learn.

It is included in many classical music textbooks on account of its exemplary use of ground bass.

Musica Baltica diversified very early in its history into the publication of music textbooks for use in junior music schools.

According to the Mennonite Encyclopedia this "music textbook ... has reached a total issue of nearly 100,000 copies."

His music textbooks had exercises and songs presented systematically for the goal of music reading and sight-singing.

He is best remembered for his books, including music textbooks, music history and biographies of famous musicians.

He also published a music textbook, "Learn to Read Music," in 1956.

He has released several recordings[2] and music textbooks.