Puppy Mind

In this picture book for children and adults, illustrated by Jim Durk, who is adored by thousands of children for his many Clifford the Big Red Dog and Thomas the Steam Engine books, a young boy discovers his mind is like a puppy, always wandering away, into the past or the future. He sets about learning to train his puppy mind to heel to the present moment. Through remembering to breathe, the boy becomes a stronger and more caring master of his puppy mind, keeping it in the present, if only for a moment. Includes a link to a discussion guide for parents and teachers.

Andrew Jordan Nance has been an educator for over 25 years. 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 18 years he was the Conservatory Director at San Francisco’s New Conservatory Theatre Center. He is on the Board of Directors of several educational– based non– profit organizations including the Mindful Life Project in Richmond California, San Francisco’s New Conservatory Theater Center, and Arts Ed Matters, a California– based arts– integration organization. Andrew Jordan Nance lives in San Francisco.

Illustrator Jim Durk has over thirty years of experience working on children’s books. He’s drawn iconic characters including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Thomas the Tank Engine, The Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys, and many more. He received a BFA from Ohio University in 1983 and currently lives in Bay Village, Ohio.