Free Books - 100 Book Give Away

The response to the 100 Book Give Away has been amazing. There are so many wonderful people out there helping our most needy children. Homeless children, refuge children from the toughest places on earth who have found safety in the US, children with cancer, children suffering depression and other mental challenges, and endless other situations. I am deeply touched by the kind and caring people who have written and requested books. The books are flying out the door and I feel very grateful for this opportunity to make a difference in a child's life.

At the same time sales in bookstores and gift stores are picking up as well, with many wonderful consequences, like book signings at fancy private schools and newspaper articles that help to get the word out. The more the books sell the more I can keep giving them away - which is my greatest joy.

I have asked everyone to send stories relating to Here You Are and its impact on children. In a few weeks there will be much to write about as many have already promised to send their most inspiring observations.

It is sad to contemplate how much suffering there is for children on our planet. As a matter of fact, it is best not to think about it too much in order to keep one's spirits and energy up to reach out to every single child in one's own path. That way we make a difference where we can, which is the only place where we can ever really do anything. Sometimes that just means to be kind and attentive to our very own children. This alone is not the easiest task at all times.

My heart goes out to all who are working hard to help the children in our world, be it patiently making cookies and Valentine cards with your own, or taking on the healing of the broken hearts of refuge children from Somalia.

Free Books For Early Readers

This is an offer I made on Amazon today, which I extend to my readers here as well -

I love giving "Here You Are" to children I run into in my daily life, at airports, hospitals, schools and doctor's offices. Maybe I can do this here as well.

I have set aside 100 copies of "Here You Are" to give away to children facing difficulties, or people who work with children in those circumstances, like nurses, doctors, teachers and counselors. These are not print on demand books, so they will be shipped out immediately (both here on Amazon), and for the Give-Away for which you have to send an email to me at maykebeckmannbriggs@gmail.com

I wrote this book to ease the suffering in life a little bit, especially for children who face bigger challenges than most, by reconnecting my young reader to their own innermost treasure of wisdom.

Several nurses and doctors have told me children in hospitals, or children who have lost a loved one, really benefit from having a book like this.

I have seen the effect of the book, and write about it on my blog "Here You Are" at hereyouarebook@blogspot.com where you can find out more. Just let me know why you are requesting the free book(s), who I should make the book out to, if applicable, or anything else you would like me to know. Send any heartwarming stories to the above email address and I will edit them for future blog posts.

"Here You Are" is a sturdy, hardcover book, with black canvas covers with gold leaf lettering on the front, under a thick shiny dust jacket. The brightly colored, and solid quality of the book, unfortunately doesn’t come across in the listing. Every child I give a copy to instantly treats it like a treasure and very proudly walks off with it. Some children are barely bigger than the book, just managing to get their little arms around it. It's one of my favorite images. You'll have fun giving it away, too.

This offer is valid for one month only, until February 28th, 2008.

Well, that's my fun idea for the day. You don't even have to do this with my book. Just order a bunch of nice little books and start passing them out to children wherever you go. When I started doing this with my book I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it much earlier. Oh - and always ask the parents first whether you may talk to the child.