By Brady Talbert / Staff Writer

Some could say Alabaster-based author Barbie Randall put “sole” into her new children’s book “The Overworked Shoes,” after a year of bringing the children’s novel to life.

Randall began writing her first book 10 years ago, but decided to give the book the boot, after her busy life took over. It was a fast-paced lifestyle that is “pretty much what I describe in my book,” she said. In 2017, Randall decided it was time to put her energy into something new: “The Overworked Shoes.”

“The Overworked Shoes” is a book written for children in kindergarten to the third grade, with a family message, Randall said, adding that anyone of any age can take something from it.

The book follows 10-year-old Lauryn, whose family also lives a fast-paced life. She is often left alone in her room, as her parents carry out day-to-day activities, until a strange encounter changes everything. Randall said it’s all about spending more quality family time together in the hustle and bustle of the world, a message to parents also featured at the back of the book.  It’s all about “living a healthy American Dream,” she wrote.

To hold the book in her hands, after submitting the work in June 2017 and seeing the print in May 2018, “brought me to tears,” she said. “It was rewarding” seeing her characters, her world, her story “came to life,” after collaborating with her publishers.

“The Overworked Shoes” is available online on Amazon and the Barnes & Noble website, with eBooks currently in the works.