Here You Are [Hardcover]

Mayke Beckmann Briggs (Illustrator)

Book Description

Here you are...standing on the ground, under the big blue sky...among the trees, the flowers and the butterflies. Thus begins the journey of a small child whose joy in nature turns into wondering about things like "friends and enemies", "darkness and light", "Who made everything?" and "Why am I here?". Suddenly, remembering something deep in his heart, all questions dissolve into delight, and a quiet, satisfied gladness. The vivid, child-like chalk drawings of nature, and portraits that resemble photographs in a scrapbook, make this book ideal for the very young as well as the beginning reader.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The non-dualistic path of self-inquiry Who am I? is conveyed to children in this delightful book. Inside the cover page (in small type for the grownups) is a quote by Ramana Maharshi that says, in part: If you find out the truth about yourself and discover your own source, this is all that is required. Here you are, it begins, standing on the ground. The text is simple; the colorful chalk drawings are whimsical and sweet. We end by touching love as big as the sky and read: Here you are. The whole is a joy. For ages 4-8. --Light of Consciousness Magazine, Fall 2008

This is a refreshing picture book that is perfect for starting a discussion with children about who we are, how everything is created, and why we are here. The questions it raises are those that every human being asks at one point or another. These questions are a common thread throughout humanity and therefore transcend cultural and religious boundaries. The simple yet exquisite illustrations compliment the text to provide a meaningful experience for all readers. --The Oneota Reading Journal, Fall 2008/Decorah Public Library and Luther College, by Caitlin M. Sanders

Why is this day particularly appropriate to post this? Because today is a good day to salute the beauty of life and of what is in a child's heart. I had had a particularly tough day. By coincidence, I opened up a recently received children's book called Here You Are, by talented and passionate author Mayke Beckmann Briggs. Mayke, a mother of five children is both the author and illustrator of Here You Are. Both the illustrations and text are works of authentic beauty. Here You Are asks questions that every child and most adults ponder -often without finding a suitable answer. Mayke gives a true and touching answer. Yes, I want you to buy her book. Buy one for each of the kids in your life, I don't care what age they are. The book will work. Buy an extra for yourself as well. I'll stake whatever reputation chits I have with you that you will not regret your decision. -- --Shel Israel, Author, in his Newsletter Global Neighborhoods on September 11, 2007

Here You Are won the 2009 Mom's Choice Award - as Silver Recipient in the Motivational/Inspirational category for Children's Picture Books, age 0-9. The Mom's Choice Awards® is known for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products, and services. This annual competition recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media products and services. Parents, educators, retailers and the media trust the Mom's Choice Awards® for product reviews and evaluations. The Mom's Choice Awards® has a panel of distinguished judges who evaluate all submissions, which are judged on their own merit. The list of judges for this year s competition include such notables as: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy winner, professor and founder of PBS s Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, creator of Baby Einstein; LeAnn Thieman, co-author of seven Chicken Soup for the Soul Books; Tara Paterson, ACPI CCPI, certified Parent Coach and founder of the Mom's Choice Awards® and, Dr. Letitia S. Wright, D.C., author, movie producer and host of WrightPlace TV as well as being ranked in the top 50 of the Most Influential Women in Social Media. Evaluation Criteria: The MCA judges are especially interested in entries that support the growth of families emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and are morally sound and promote good will. They also look for entries that are inspirational and uplifting. Parents, educators, retailers, and the media rely on the MCA s reviews and evaluations as a trusted resource for children and families. --Mom's Choice Award

This is a refreshing picture book that is perfect for starting a discussion with children about who we are, how everything is created, and why we are here. The questions it raises are those that every human being asks at one point or another. These questions are a common thread throughout humanity and therefore transcend cultural and religious boundaries. The simple yet exquisite illustrations compliment the text to provide a meaningful experience for all readers. --The Oneota Reading Journal, Fall 2008/Decorah Public Library and Luther College, by Caitlin M. Sanders

About the Author

Mayke Beckmann Briggs was born in Cologne, Germany. After completing a degree in pre-med, she moved to England to attend art school in London. Moving to the US in 1978, she studied Macrobiotics with Michio and Aveline Kushi in Boston, Massachusetts, and became a Macrobiotic Counselor, primarily assisting AIDS and cancer patients in both healing and dying. Her practice evolved into family counseling, which grew into spiritual counseling, teaching and writing. She draws her inspiration from the ancient teachings of the world's religions, and years of conversations with children. She spends most of her time in Northern California where she lives with her husband and the youngest of their five children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 44 pages
• Publisher: BoathouseBooks; 1 edition (February 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977646912
• ISBN-13: 978-0977646913
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,421,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Profound, February 3, 2008

By 

Cherie R. Safapou - See all my reviews

This review is from: Here You Are (Hardcover)

This is a beautifully illustrated book which provides a profound spiritual lesson, a lesson that we'd all do well to take into our hearts. I've given copies to a number of friends of mine, and they all agree that the book serves as a wonderful reminder of the meaning of our existence--when the world seems like a dark and gloomy place, one need look no further than this book as a source of comfort and reassurance.

The great thing about this book is that it is equally inspiring to both children and adults. While the theme of the story is applicable to all age groups, it's written in a manner such that any child can easily grasp its simple yet deeply meaningful message. I recently read the book to a number of schoolchildren, and several of them later came up to me and said that they'd been surprised because it was the first time they'd seen a book that was about _them_. It's true; most "children's books" are stories about imaginary characters, but this book is addressed to the reader, the child. This fact alone makes it a standout.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who wishes to spur spiritual thinking in a child (or an adult!). I would also recommend it to anyone with an interest in meditation and other spiritual practices, as this book does an excellent job of guiding the reader into

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound, comforting and philosophical, February 13, 2008

By 

Dean Welsh "Reading Rocks!" (The Land of Oz) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here You Are (Hardcover)

Beautiful message and illustrations.

Suitable for any belief system as it ask lots of questions (ie. "Who made everything?", "Why am I here?", etc.) but allows the reader to draw their own conclusions. I really appreciate that aspect of this profound and wonderful book.

The author has a kind and insightful heart. Best of wishes to her!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to the "Big Questions", November 4, 2008

By 

Brian Schell "DailyBuddhism.com" (Dayton, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Here You Are (Hardcover)

There are umpteen-gazillion books out there, both good and bad, concerning Buddhism for adult readers. There are very few good books for Children that involve Buddhist ideas. Books based upon the Jataka Tales are classics, but those stories are ancient and somewhat generic in nature. Modern-day Buddhist children books are starting to enter the market, albeit slowly. This is one of them.

It's a durable hardcover children's book with heavy pages and bright colors throughout. The text is short and extremely simple, and even beginning readers will be able to move through the book quickly. The drawings are simple but bright, and mostly involve "You," the central character in the story. Unlike stories about 3rd-person characters, "You" are the center of attention here. Fortunately, since the pronoun "You" works whether reading the book yourself or having the book read to you, it's a neat idea.

The subject here is about the main character, who asks the questions, "Who made everything?", "Why am I here?" and several other "big" questions. The book does not supply answers to any of the big questions, that's up to the adult in the child's life to explain. There are no references to God or any other specific religion. The book could literally be used to introduce any child to the big questions, and the adult must supply whatever answers they feel are appropriate.

I'm assuming that DailyBuddhism readers are going to want to use the book to explain the Buddhist perspective on the questions posed here. The book is fine for that, and there is one section of the book:

- Here you are, wondering,
- how everything appears out of nowhere like the waves rise up from the sea,
- and how everything vanishes into nothing,
- like the waves, on a calm summer's day.

This could lead into a decidedly Buddhist-tinted discussion.

The one and only problem I see with the book are the pictures of "You" (see the cover image). The pictures are all of a little boy, or perhaps a girl with very short hair. I'm not sure whether this was an artistic decision or an oversight. I imagine it would be confusing to try to make the pictures of "You" to apply to everyone. Still, unless you are buying the book is for a little Caucasian boy, be prepared.