The Fusion Of Parenting, Mindfulness, And Creativity: The Life Of Laura Linn Knight

Laura Linn Knight is an author who blends mindfulness with storytelling, creating books that entertain while imparting valuable lessons to children and their families. Born and raised in Northern California’s Bay Area, Laura’s journey to becoming an author was shaped by her deep passion for working with children, alongside her experiences as a teacher and parent.

Laura’s educational journey began at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where she earned a degree in Business Marketing. Despite her academic focus on marketing, her passion for working with children led her to pursue a teaching credential at Sonoma State University. This educational background later influenced her unique approach to writing.

After obtaining her teaching credential, Laura began teaching in Mill Valley, California, primarily working with first graders and kindergarteners. Her time in the classroom allowed her to engage young learners in reading and developing social-emotional skills, shaping her understanding of children’s emotional and developmental needs—an insight that would later inspire her writing.

Motherhood marked a significant turning point in Laura’s life. She decided to step away from teaching to focus on raising her two children. However, she soon discovered that parenting presented different challenges from teaching. The techniques she had used in the classroom didn’t always work at home, leading her to develop new parenting tools. This journey of personal growth inspired her to become a parenting coach and educator, sharing her insights with others.

During this period, Laura authored her first book, Break Free from Reactive Parenting, published by Ulysses Press, marking her official entry into the world of authorship. This book laid the groundwork for her future work in children’s literature, where she blended her teaching and parenting experiences.

Laura’s children’s books, particularly her Mindful Tales series, reflect her teaching and parenting philosophy. Titles like Wolf’s Mindful Tales and Hare’s Mindful Tales introduce young readers to mindfulness and emotional regulation in an engaging, accessible manner. In Hare’s Mindful Tales, for instance, Laura reimagines the story of the Hare post-race, exploring his struggle with perfectionism—a theme relevant to today’s high-pressure environment. Similarly, in Wolf’s Mindful Tales, she cleverly reinterprets the Big Bad Wolf’s “huff and puff” as a tool for calming down, teaching children to manage their emotions healthily.

Laura’s writing has received praise from both parents and educators for making complex emotional concepts understandable for young children. Parents have shared how their children apply lessons from her books, such as using the “huff and puff” technique to calm down.

Her experiences as a mother continue to influence her writing, drawing from the challenges and joys of raising her children and her work as a parenting coach. This personal connection to her subject matter is one reason her books resonate strongly with both children and adults.

Looking forward, Laura shows no signs of slowing down. She is working on two more Hare’s Mindful Tales books, with the second expected soon, and a new Wolf’s Mindful Tales book is currently being illustrated. She also explores other characters who, like Wolf and Hare, seek to change their ways and learn to navigate life differently.

At the core of Laura Linn Knight’s work is a message of hope and compassion. She encourages adults—whether parents, teachers, or caregivers—to be kind to themselves as they navigate the challenges of raising children. Laura believes that by teaching children mindfulness and emotional intelligence, we can create a more compassionate and understanding world.

Laura’s books are not just stories but tools for children and adults alike to navigate life’s complexities. As she continues to expand her Mindful Tales series, she remains a guiding light for those seeking to raise compassionate, emotionally intelligent children, making a lasting impact one story at a time.

Written in partnership with Tom White