MATTHIEU RICARD is a Buddhist monk who had a promising career in cellular genetics before leaving France to study Buddhism in the Himalayas thirty-seven years ago. He is a best-selling author, translator, and photographer, and an active participant in current scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain. He lives in Nepal and dedicates much of his time to humanitarian projects in the Himalayas through his nonprofit organization Karuna-Shechen. JASON GRUHL is the former Executive Director and Founder of The Joshua School (a school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities in Boulder and Denver, CO), and as an educational consultant, he impacts the lives of countless children and adults. Jason holds a master's degree in Counseling Psychology and a bachelor's degree in English and Psychology, is a Buddhist, and dedicates his life to self-discovery through meditation and reflection. BECCA HALL is an illustrator based in the Lake District, England. Her work appears across the United Kingdom on stationery and giftware, and in children's books.
“A serious message delivered with humor, simplicity, and charm makes this book an excellent purchase for families that value open-ended discussions. Also a good resource for classrooms and libraries that welcome diverse opinions and points of view.”—School Library Journal “Ricard and Gruhl make a case for animal rights and ethical veganism by metaphorically framing Earth’s residents as neighbors equally deserving of respect and care.”—Publishers Weekly