Visit freedasfabnificentfeet.com to find out more about the book, its author and to order a copy.
When Kiyoko Hairston was growing up, she got used to siblings, kids and adults making comments about her large feet.
She often had to cram her feet into smaller shoes or was frustrated by a less-than-ideal selection of children’s shoes in her size.
At the time, she thought she had dealt with the issue, but the comments still made an impact on her.
“When I thought about it, I was like, ‘Your feelings were hurt,’ ” she said. “ ‘You were self-conscious, and you were putting yourself in pain trying to hide your feet.’ ”
That hurt and insecurity inspired the Oglethorpe County author to write her first children’s book: “Freeda’s Fabnificent Feet.”
The story follows Freeda, a young girl with abnormally large feet. After getting made fun of on the first day of school, Freeda tries to swap her feet out, but when the store is all out of feet, she must learn to live with them.
In the story, Freeda learns the value of her feet and is able to turn them into her superpower. She helps other people and even teams up with other children to help them turn their insecurities into superpowers.
Hairston said she hoped the book would inspire children to accept their insecurities rather than fighting them, like she did as a child.
“I just want kids at an earlier age to start thinking about purpose and being intentional and accepting themselves the way that they are,” she said.
As an adult, Hairston said she realized how little her insecurities actually mattered.
“If I could go back, I would wear those ugly shoes,” she said.
Hairston launched the book on Oct. 1 and had sold about 85 copies midway through November.
Rather than going through a publisher, she sells on her website (freedasfabnificentfeet.com). She provides personal delivery to local customers who request it and ships the other orders.
Throughout the process, Hairston has had a community of support.
Lafayette George, Hairston’s friend of about 20 years, said he acted as a sounding board for her ideas.
“I just throw stuff and see if it sticks, and she's the type of person who will actually action it,” he said.
George said the final product and its themes represent Hairston as a person, especially her desire to impact others.
“It’s a lot of creativity with the wording and all that type of stuff, but at the end of the day, you’re left with a message,” he said.
Hairston plans to increase her book’s impact with The Fabnificent Purpose Project, which allows people to sponsor copies of the book, author readings and other outreach programs for classrooms or schools.
She said she hopes to expand the project into other spaces where she can uplift children, like libraries, hospitals and shelters.
“I love inspiring kids,” Hairston said. “I love when people feel good about themselves, and so I‘m definitely looking forward to expanding on it as much as possible.”