The new children’s book, “Hole in My Shoe,” is based on Dave Mason’s hit song with Traffic. Courtesy photo

Part-time Wailea resident Dave Mason just released “Hole in My Shoe,” a new children’s book based on the first song he ever wrote and recorded with the legendary band Traffic in 1967.

Illustrated by Jillian Dister, the British rock star reimagined the song’s dreamlike lyrics as a children’s book.

“I just figured why not put this into a book,” said Mason. “The whole song itself was a little bit of an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ kind of fantasy song in the first place. I thought, ‘Maybe it’s kind of cute to see what would happen if we illustrated it and turned it into a book.’ Some books have been put out with music. I think this might be the first one where it’s actually the song itself.”

An artist with a whimsical style, Dister’s illustrations have adorned the books “Born to Dance,” “Dealing with Feelings” and “Down the Rabbit Hole.”

“I had the opportunity to illustrate the song ‘Hole in My Shoe’ for the iconic Dave Mason,” said Dister. “He chose me because he loved my style, which is pretty cool and humbling at the same time.”

Some of the fantasy images include a giant albatross, a bubblegum tree, an elephant’s eye and some tin soldiers.

“My wife found this artist,” he said. “Originally, we thought she was on Maui. We did some searching online. I liked her watercolors and the way she did stuff. We tracked her down and sent her the song and lyrics. It’s just perfect, beautifully illustrated by Jillian Dister.”

Released by Traffic in 1967, “Hole in My Shoe” was a prime example of the psychedelic pop that was abundant in the U.K. after the Summer of Love. It was also the biggest hit single Traffic ever recorded. Mason, who played sitar on the song, explained how he was writing random thoughts in the style of a nursery rhyme.

“We were tripping out down in Berkshire in a cottage, and it just sort of came out,” he recalled. “It got to No. 2 in England. Engelbert Humperdinck kept me from No. 1. It’s Traffic’s biggest hit single. The rest of the band didn’t care for it. This was the beginning of the end for me in this regard.”

Dave Mason is a founding member of the rock band Traffic who has played with many well-known musicians over the course of his long career. Courtesy photo

As a child, Mason spent 14 months immobilized in a hospital while recovering from a serious hip condition. During that time, his imagination flourished, and the experience helped shape his early songwriting instincts.

In conjunction with the book, he re-recorded the song, which is included as a download with the book, accompanied by John McFee of the Doobie Brothers. The song featured a spoken-word midsection in which a child tells a brief story about a giant albatross. The new recording features Mason’s wife, Winifred, speaking this part.

Renowned for Traffic hits such as “Feelin’ Alright” and “Hole in My Shoe,” plus his own solo signature songs “We Just Disagree” and “Only You Know and I Know,” Mason’s critically acclaimed albums include “Alone Together,” which remained on the charts for six months. Recording over the years with a range of leading artists, including Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, George Harrison and Paul McCartney, he later toured with a remodeled Fleetwood Mac.

While living in Wailea during the pandemic, he recorded an inspired version of his classic “Feelin’ Alright,” teaming with Sammy Hagar, Mick Fleetwood and the Doobie Brothers’ Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston and Michael McDonald.

In 2024, Mason released his autobiography, “Only You Know & I Know.” It included guest contributions by friends such as Mick Fleetwood and Graham Nash. “David came from royal creative roots, and my fellow players and I were in awe,” Fleetwood wrote. “You will be reminded of the huge influence Dave Mason has had as a trailblazer.”

Now relocated to Nevada, a serious illness has kept him from touring.

“I have not been back (to Maui),” he said. “I had a procedure done there on my vocal cord, and I got sepsis, which was pretty drastic. Blood poisoning. I managed to take care of things over there and had a really great doctor, Dr. Starbuck.”

On the mainland, “I have a great crew of doctors,” he noted. “I’m at that age now where I’m collecting doctors. … At this point, my road life is over.”

Besides launching the new book, Mason has been busy with a new radio show on NEWHD Radio with his friend Zach Martin. “Hole in My Shoe” is available signed and personalized or unsigned at davemasonmusic.com/hole-in-my-shoe-book.