What religious teachers & media are saying
about Becoming Me
BUDDHIST
The simplest and sweetest way to remind us that the Divine is shining in us all the time, and 'we' are ultimately 'me'.
Jack Kornfield, Buddhist teacher, author of A Path with Heart
Here's a vibrant swirl of words and pictures that illustrates how we all originate from a single source energy. Actually, though the book conveys a sophisticated concept, it is expressed in a delightfully innocent way. Told in the personal "voice" of our Creator, this tale of creation will satisfy children of all faiths and backgrounds, especially as it turns out that creation involves playing, friendship, love, and the essential process of becoming ourselves. Indeed, though it is described as appropriate for ages four and up, we believe grown-ups will take pleasure in the story as well.
Bodhi Tree Book Review - "Editor's Choice"
CATHOLIC
The paintings are wonderful, the text so seminal. I can spend a lot of time with it.
Dom M. Basil Pennington, OSCO, Abbey of Blessed Mary of Saint Joseph, Author of Centering Prayer
Bright and beautiful--a much-needed reminder for children of all ages that we are truly God's own children.
Father Brett Hoover, Church of St. Paul the Apostle
Illustrated on vibrant primary colors, the spirituality of being is creatively represented through the manifestation of the "voice" of God. Unique in presentation, this tale shows how we are all connected to everyone and everything from the scope of a very big story to that of a very personal one. Non-denominational and simply told, the story is open enough to present itself on many levels and appeal to all ages.
The Catholic Library World, December 2000
HINDU
This enchanting little book, Becoming Me, is a story of creation by Martin Boroson and illustrated by Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright. With the fewest of words and intensely colorful illustrations, the fundamental truth that we are God unfolds page by page. Here is a wonderful book for young children, or anyone appreciating an elegantly unpretentious expression of spirituality.
Hinduism Today, Sep/Oct 2001
Beautifully illustrated and designed book aimed for children but which could appeal to all ages offering in few words the concept of creation and our relationship with the whole. Simply written but full of depth.
Yoga and Health, September 2000
INTERFAITH
From rich endpapers that suggest the golden oozing goo of creation to the gloriously hued chaotic mass at its end, we sense the relationship of color, light, and sound in the cosmic creation-and at the heart of it all is the voice of God. Daring? Yes. Presumptuous? No. There is a humility and simplicity-and just enough mischief-in the writing that makes it somehow plausible that the person of God has written this book, describing the enormous complexity of creation in terms of self-discovery. It esolves beautifully in the way that God becomes human, and how in human form we still forget that we are God. Profound fun for all ages, a delight for anyone who enjoys pondering imponderables.
NAPRA REVIEW, September/October 2000
"Once upon a time . I was. There was nobody who knew that I was . But I was." So begins a story of creation and consciousness that explores the questions children-and all of us-ask: How did we come to be? What is our place in the world? Martin Boroson, a student of Stanislav and Christina Grof, has written a vivid evocation of being; Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright has illustrated it with paintings of great depth and richness.
One Spirit (Official Bookclub Selection), August 2000
Becoming Me by Martin Boroson, illus. by Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright, uses a tone of childlike wonder to imagine creation from the Creator's point of view."
Publishers' Weekly (Religion BookLine) - "Best Religion Books for Children", November 2000.
"There is a mystic in every one of us," Matthew Fox has written, "yearning to play again in the universe." . Here God, who speaks the text, is a playful lover who creates a world filled with diversity: "I liked to make myself into different shapes. Lots of different shapes - all me." God is continually creating: "I do it all the time now." After making a human, God proclaims: "Just one moment ago I was so big and now I'm so little. It's like I'm all wrapped up in love." . How wonderful for children to sense their divine origin and the holiness of all creation! "I like it best," God declares, "when you discover me. Then we play together, you and I." This nondenominational and nonsectarian work draws out the mystic in us all and affirms love as the linchpin of the universe.
Spirituality and Health (www.spiritualityhealth.com)
JEWISH
A mystical midrash about the interconnectedness of all life, about the God in us and the us in God.
Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, author of God's Paintbrush
PROTESTANT
A simple, charming, and profound story of God's moving and changing presence in our world ... a valuable stepping stone for intergenerational conversations about God and creation.
Rev. Nancy E. Kannair, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Belmont, MA
A sense of mysticism and awe drifts from the pages of Becoming Me which is cultivated by the gloriously coloured artwork of illustrator Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright and the narration provided by the Creator himself. The majesty of creation and the marvel of humankind are painted onto a canvas of pictures and words. The simplicity and innocence of the text is captivating, reaching out to children ages four and up. .
Multicultural, nondenominational, and non-sectarian, this small book says much in few words. Its spirituality is universalistic, embracing one world as created and loved by its One God. Every family bookshelf would be enriched by its inclusion of a dog-eared copy of Becoming Me.
The Anglican (Official Publication of the Diocese of Montreal), May 2003
The artist, Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright, is as gifted as the author in this ravishing children's book. It is all about creation, or is it all about God living within each one of us? Or is it all about the child existing within God? The brilliant colours of the oil paintings are a dazzling vision of the Spirit of God, with simple images conveying the meaning of the words powerfully for even the youngest children to comprehend. This is a book for parents and children to think about and meditate on together. I suspect it may be the adults who take away the most!
Parish News, UK, October 02
Text © 2003-2004 Martin Boroson (unless otherwise noted);
Illustrations © 2003-2004 Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright