In January, this year, I spent four days on a spiritual and writing retreat near Black Mountain, North Carolina. There is a book store in Black Mountain, Sassafras on Sutton, that I always try to shop at when I’m nearby. This bookstore is amazing… and on the day I visited, I was so excited to find this book.

I highly recommend— Finding Muchness How to add more life to life, written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Charles Santoso— to everyone. These two men did an amazing job with this picture book that will be enjoyed by children and adults alike. At first I was reluctant to review it because of the strength of their copyright statement at the back of the book. I did write and asked permission to review the book and never heard back. So I am going to use the fair use rules under the copyright law and only share what I’m allowed.

Because—

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING AND NEEDS TO BE SHARED!

The cover shows how sweet the pictures are in the book. They became cuter and cuter with each turn of the page as the little duck involved itself in more and more situations.

The gist of the book is essentially to motivate children to strive to be the best they can be, to not give up, to learn all they can, and to fill their life with wonderful things. It encourages the child to stand up for what they believe. It encourages the reader to be generous and grateful. It is essentially a motivational book for children, but it covers all the tips that motivational speakers and writers share with adults, too.

The writer starts out with, “Dream until it’s true. Believing it’s possible is an essential part of making it so.” Now there’s a Biblical lesson—on faith. Doesn’t it sound pretty much like…

“‘If you can’? said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23 NIV

The author continues encouraging the reader to take one step, then another… then another toward the goal. Does that sound a little like this verse??

“I press on toward the goal for the prize for which God has called me in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Here’s another quote from the book that is so true, “Our greatest obstacles are often ourselves. If you think you can’t, you probably won’t. But if you think you can, you most likely will.”

And another great quote from the book, “Determination creates its own possibilities.”

And… last quote, “How you do one thing is how you do everything. And anything worth doing is worth doing well.”

There are no page numbers to share in the book, but this quote is about half way through the book and based on fair use rules, that is where I have to stop. I would encourage you to find this book and read it to your children or just find it for yourself. The pictures are sweet and soothing to look at in a crazy, fast paced world.

The author not only gives motivational content, but shows the reader or one being read too… how to develop integrity and work hard in everything they put their hand to.

Does that sound something like this Bible verse: “Whatever your hand finds to do do it with all your might…” Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV).

I don’t know if the author is a Christian or not, but he shares so many Biblical truths in this sweet little book that I think everyone should add it to their library.

Romans 2:14-15a (ESV)— shows how God can work in the lives of everyone… “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts…”

The back of the book says… “Recommended for ages 99 and younger.”

I agree!

I hope you will search and find this treasure and — have a great week of reading!