REVIEWS
The Anglican (Official Publication of the Diocese of Montreal):
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. (Carol Segal, Children's Corner, May 2003)
Bodhi Tree Book Review - "Editor's Choice":
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.
This unusual first-person version of the creation story describes the
essence of the Judeo-Christian God. . Gilvan-Cartwright's spare, vivid,
broadly stroked paintings capture the feeling as well as the difficult
concepts of the narrative, beginning with abstract images and gradually
moving on to recognizable shapes. The approach and the art work nicely
together not only to captivate children but also to provide much opportunity
for discussion. ( Shelley Townsend-Hudson; Copyright © American
Library Association. All rights reserved, July 2000 )
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. ( Connie Thorsen Dec. 2000)
Children's Books of Ireland - Recommended Reading Guide:
This book attempts to answer such questions as "Where do I come from", "What is my place in the world?" Written by an American philosophy graduate, it stands up to many, many readings-each as thought-provoking and as inspirational as before. Stunning oil and acrylic paintings accompany the text. (2002)
This is one of those magical stories that can colour your whole life, however young or old you are. It can be read aloud, or contemplated quietly. It's for your child, but it's also for you. The simple words and radiant illustrations convey the most powerful, heart-resonating truths about creation and why we are here, as seen by a loving, curious, and playful Source. With each page turn, we begin to see our place in the world through wider, sunnier eyes, and to realize the potential of our lives. We discover that we are part of something far greater than mere appearances and, through this, we are helped to remember what brings us all together, and why we are really here.
Elysian Positive Parenting and Positive Books for Children:
This wonderful book will help children imagine how they came into existence and consider their place in creation. Based on timeless spiritual insights, the simple words and radiant pictures are profoundly moving. Children inherently have the desire to question our connection with the world, and this book will help them to explore those ideas in a wondrous way.
International Breathwork Foundation Newsletter :
If you ever want to give someone a lovely present I have a suggestion for you - Becoming Me - a story of creation . It is a lovely book - sweet and simple - still very wise and profound. It tells a very short and personal story of what it feels like to wake up to a higher spiritual understanding of the universe, wonderfully illustrated with pictures in the most fantastic colours. It is a book I can recommend for everyone in all age groups, from one-year-olds upwards. (Gunnel Minnet)
Buy this book for yourselves, for your children and your grandchildren, and for everyone you know and love, or would like to love. It is the ideal birthday, Xmas or any other resent. Buy it for art lovers just for its illustrations; buy it for mystics just for its message. Buy it and give it, for your own happiness. (Joy Manné, Ph.D., Autumn, 2000)
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. (Tara Katir, Sept/Oct 01)
Written for children of all backgrounds, and all ages, this hardcover, beautifully illustrated book is able to convey the sense and feeling of Grof's "cosmic game" and Ervin Laszlo's physics in a few child-friendly words. Somehow Boroson and his illustrator, Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright, let us enter into the paradoxical mysteries of being both the Created and the Creator. It invites us to flow with remembering through the roles which we assume in creating, witnessing, and playing/participating in this universe. . The book is appropriate for children, grandchildren, students, therapy clients . (Kylea Taylor, August 2000)
The Irish Times:
Wish I'd had Martin Boroson's Becoming Me, a Story of Creation, illustrated by Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright, when my three-year-old asked "Is God real or pretend?" Visionary paintings and simple yet profound words present the mystical aspect of existence without the bog of religion. Both the artwork and central concept of creator-being-created proved too abstract when tested on small children, while deeply affecting sample adults. A beautiful book, best kept for the Big Questions, and an ideal gift for those of a spiritual bent. (G.V. Whelan, August 19, 2000)
Junior Magazine:
A stunning children's picture book that explores the creation in simple words and dramatic illustrations. (July 2000)
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 resolves 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. (Antoinette Botsford, Review Editor, September/October 2000)
Becoming Me: A Story of Creation is a beautiful, charming children's title. Nondenominational and nonsectarian, this book about creation and existence is written for children ages 4 and up. This story is told in the "voice" of the Creator, using simple words and concepts. The story line: God is lonely and creates every living thing, but humans forget they come from God. Large print and colorful abstract paintings make the book easily accessible for children. Martin Boroson is a playwright and has trained with Dr. Stanislav Grof. His text is illustrated with sumptuous, colorful paintings by Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright, ranging from abstract smudges to beautiful images of trees and people. . (Dawn Wasserman; Body, Mind, and Spirit, Atlanta, GA; November/December 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. (August 2000)
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! (KM, Parish News, October 02)
[starred review] Against canvases of large, dramatic brush strokes--the first in shades of brilliant blue, the next in splashes of yellow and orange--the words "Once upon a time I was" begin this original and affecting book. In a tone of childlike innocence, the narrative voice embarks on a description of the creative urge: "I played by myself for ages . Then I started to get lonely. I wanted someone else to play with, someone who wasn't ME." Along with this desire comes the ability to transform into a multitude of different creations: "I can become all kinds of things that grow and swim and crawl and fly and run. One day I became YOU." Above these words appear snapshot-size paintings of a tree, a school of fish, insects, birds and mammals, respectively, followed by a full-page dawn-colored image of an unborn child surrounded as if by halos. "In time you forget all about me," the narrative continues, while the illustration shows a solitary figure turned away from a glowing tree, but "Every so often, you wonder who you are." Gilvan-Cartwright's striking abstract paintings evoke the power and simplicity of children's art, while at the same time barring any coyness in the storytelling by dint of their sophistication. The visual rhythms created by the skillful book design further accentuate the impact of the text. Gentle yet thought-provoking, this will offer readers another way to contemplate the nature of the divine. Ages 4-up. (Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, July 24, 2000)
Publishers' Weekly (Religion BookLine) - "Best Religion Books for Children":
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." (November 7, 2000)
Source Magazine:
Becoming Me is a little book that tells a very big story. Told in simple language with radiant full-colour illustrations, the book brings us on a journey through the very mystery of life itself, reminding us of our connection with the divine source of all creation. Accessible to both children and adults the simplicity of the words and pictures allows us access to the deepest realms of understanding too often shrouded behind complex theories and psycho-babble. Becoming Me is told with a tremendous open heart and with each turn of the page we stride deeper into ourselves discovering our place in the overall scheme of things and all the potential that that creates. A practitioner and lecturer in the field of transpersonal psychology, psychotherapist Martin Boroson succeeds in communicating essential spiritual truths in an easy to understand way that touches the very core of our being. The book also includes handy references for further reading by some of the current leaders in transpersonal/integral studies in the world today. A delightful and insightful book. (Ciara Cronin, May 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.
[one of "the best books this summer for children":] God first, in full colour. Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright honours Martin Boroson's Becoming Me , a deceptively simple expression of the nature of the Divine, with breathtaking artwork. . (Sarah Johnson, July 12, 2000)
This wonderful new book will help children to imagine how they came into existence and consider their place in creation. Based on timeless spiritual insights, the simple words and radiant painted illustrations are profoundly moving. Children inherently seem to have the desire to question where we come from and our connection to all things, and this book will inspire them to explore these ideas in a wondrous way. 'Becoming me' undoubtedly captures the emerging spiritual awareness of the 21st century.
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. (September 2000)
Text © 2003-2004 Martin Boroson (unless otherwise noted);
Illustrations © 2003-2004 Christopher Gilvan-Cartwright