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Here You Are has been the catalyst for many wonderful thoughts and insights shared with us by children and adults over the years. These responses prompted us to publish the original little book as the sturdy hardcover book it is today. Here are a few of those comments we have found especially heart warming. Scroll down past the children's comments for emails sent to us by teachers, nurses, counselors and parents. For more stories and a look at some of the illustrations, go to the author's blog at hereyouarebook.blogspot.com (Link at top of this page, to the right)

Lucas (5): (Page 27 – 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, into the mirror-like lake.) “Yes, how everything changes into everything else.”

Brandon (5): (Page 3 - Here you are, standing on the ground.) “I love being barefoot.

Jenny (8): (Page 5 - Under the big blue sky.) “The sky is bigger than anything and it gives you space. So much space you want to fly”

John (5): (Page 15 - Who made everything?) God, of course. But God is invisible, like he isn’t even there or couldn’t even make anything. That’s what makes people confused.”

Janie (5): (Page 20 - Here you are wondering…about friends and enemies.) “When you have an enemy you can turn him into your friend with your magic powers. Once you get your magic powers.”

Jeffrey (7): (Page 22 - Here you are wondering…about earthquakes and hurricanes.) “It (the hurricane) was really scary, and then, some of the people were even more scary – all the bad guys came out. But much more people helped people than hurt people.”

Ann (8): (Page 24 - Here you are, wondering, about sad and happy.) “Always when I am sad, then I am happy again. And then I am sad again. Happy, sad, happy, sad, happy, sad. But happy always wins, ‘cause I like happy best.”

Jackie (4): (Page 17 - Why am I here?) “We are here for waiting.” (Little girl in the Seattle Children’s Hospital during a long stay – waiting for her release, as well as her Dad’s return from Iraq)

Mary (78); “I just remembered the most wonderful day and night I ever had in my life - with my Dad - when I was five, when we went camping in the desert. How could I have forgotten?” (Right after reading Here You Are).

Moritz (21): “Here You Are saved my life while I was waiting for my mother to arrive from Germany. It kept me grounded.” (Mental health patient at Marin General Hospital after suffering a nervous breakdown).

Zack (5): "Is that me, Mom?" (At the end of the book, after reading Here You Are to his mother)

Sept 11, 2007 Blogpost by Author Shel Israel

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, the very next thing I did was to open up a recently received Here You Are children's book by Mayke Beckmann Briggs. Mayke, a mother of five kids is both the author and illustrator, and 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.

Jan 31, 2008 Amazon Review by Clinical Psychologist Cherie Safapou, PhD

This is a beautifully illustrated book. The words provide 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 farther 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 such a manner 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 the meditative mindset. All in all, it's a magnificent work.

Feb 6, 2008 Ingrid, Buddhist

Thank you so much for your lovely, wonderful book!

I'd just come home after sort of a really bad day when I found it in my letter box - and somehow it was just what I needed. :-)
Thank you! It is so uncomplicated and profound - and happy!

Feb 7, 2008 Tonja , Mother

Hi, I just wanted to write and say thanks for your book. Some of my oldest daughter's (4yrs.) comments were:

As I was reading the "Who made everything?" page, she shouted "GOD!"

On the big purple heart page, she asked,"Is that how big our heart is?" She also thought this was one of the prettiest pages. Her favorite illustration was the flowers and butterflies page.

Feb 4, 2008 by Julie E., Teacher

Hi Mayke

I just had my last “group” for the day. I’ve read the book to all the grade levels.

I read the book to the 3-5^th grades first and they gave me a very literal response, as did the first graders such as, “I think about earthquakes” and “We are here”. But I have to tell you, they were thinking.
My second graders were the most insightful:

“The author is trying to tell me to be happy for yourself and be happy for the world.”
“Happiness is in your heart”
“Love is in your heart”

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