The Barefoot King

A lighthearted story about the consequences of rash decisions and the importance of problem solving, responsibility, and acceptance for kids ages 4-8.

Told in rhyming couplets, The Barefoot King recounts the story of a young king named Creet who rules a land where people walk around with bare feet. Easily distracted, one day King Creet stubs his toe on a rock and is shocked by the pain. Never wanting to experience that discomfort again, the king decides to cover his whole kingdom in leather, with unfortunate consequences.

This short and silly story helps parents discuss concepts of acceptance, awareness, and responsibility with kids. Seeing the consequences of King Creet's decision, kids will learn to navigate challenges in their own lives and the opportunities for growth that obstacles provide. A short "reader's guide" accompanies the story, aiding parents and teachers in discussions of how to handle life's bumps with conscious breaths and mindful steps.

About the Authors

Andrew Jordan Nance is an educator with more than twenty-five years in the classroom and the author of Puppy Mind and Mindful Arts in the Classroom. He is the founder of Mindful Arts San Francisco, whose mission is to provide volunteer mindful educators to teach at underserved San Francisco schools. Nance is also an award-winning actor and director. For almost thirty years he taught performing arts to students from diverse backgrounds, and for eighteen years he was the Conservatory Director at San Francisco's New Conservatory Theatre Center. He is on the board of directors of several educational nonprofit organizations including the Mindful Life Project, San Francisco's New Conservatory Theater Center, and Arts Ed Matters.



Olivia Holden studied fine art, textiles, and English literature and obtained a degree with first-class honors in textile design at the University of Huddersfield. Developing her growing love for illustration, she creates her own art for children's books, prints, and publications. She enjoys creating painterly illustrations, playing around with color and composition, and drawing inspiration from everyday life and objects.