Maya van der Meer

MAYA VAN DER MEER is an author, educator, environmentalist, and long-time Buddhist practitioner. She is the founder of the online education platform Bodhi Kids and assists Buddhist communities in establishing or enhancing their children’s programming. Maya has run children's programs at meditation retreats and was an instructor at the Middle Way School in Woodstock, New York, where she currently lives with her life partner and their children.

Wen Hsu

WEN HSU is a Taiwanese-Costa Rican illustrator. She has a wide range of styles working with papercuts, ink, watercolor, textiles and digital art. She has illustrated stories for children in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, India, Japan, Korea, and China. Wen has had a personal connection with Kuan Yin since she was a child, stemming from the bedtime stories her father told about the bodhisattva and trips to the Kuan Yin temples in Taiwan she took with her grandmother.

"Children will be fascinated by this gorgeously crafted picture book, which has the familiar elements of a fairy tale but may expose some readers to a narrative and culture that might not be familiar to them." —Booklist (starred review)

"Detailed illustrations lift this family-focused introduction to the bodhisattva of compassion." —Kirkus Reviews

"With intricate illustrations reminiscent of Chinese paper cuts, the origin story of a beloved Buddhist saint is reimagined for a new audience." —Foreword Reviews

"This collaboration between Maya van der Meer and Wen Hsu is a lovely rendering of the Miao Shan legend and Kuan Yin. It effectively conveys core themes of compassion, affirmation of sentient life, and selfless giving for all ages, in particular the young and curious!" —Mark Unno, associate professor of Buddhism, University of Oregon

"A stunning story, beautifully illustrated, with a timeless message for both children and adults!" —Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, author of The Logic of Faith

"I was truly moved by this beautiful story of Kuan Yin. It is exquisitely illustrated and superbly written, for children and adults alike. The message of the power of love is an important reminder for us all. One is taken on an enchanting journey, a journey that softens the heart." —Traleg Khandro, director of E-Vam Buddhist Institute

"This powerful story explores the themes of obedience to an unjust society and the courage to step outside the norm in order to cultivate the greater kindness that exists in all of us. The characters give voice to our deepest need for connection and the human struggle of self-discovery." —Nina Schmidbaur, LCSW

"Kuan Yin is a book to treasure." —The Children's Book Review

"A gorgeously illustrated and inspired retelling of the Kuan Yin story from the perspective of her younger sister. This book will not only intrigue minds but also help awaken hearts, in children and in those adults fortunate enough to get to read to them." —Spirituality & Practice