Sometimes, life's big questions are best answered with a little story. But the majority of today's children's books focus purely on entertainment. That's why I created Big Little Stories.
Big Little Stories carry a deeper meaning, even though they appear simple. They speak to our heart, not our head. They don't moralize, but gently remind us of what we already intuitively know. And while being entertaining, these stories are not merely entertainment.
Often, people ask if these books are really for children. The answer is yes—but not only for children. These are books for the child in all of us. While written in clear language that kids understand, they resonate profoundly with adults.
Who am I? How did I get here? What is life all about? What happens when I die?
It's not just adults who ask such questions. Children also wonder about these things, even though they might not ask. I certainly wondered when I was a child and I would have loved to find clues in stories such as these.
Good stories remind us of truths that we have long forgotten. And they are mirrors in which we see our own life reflected.
As a child, Gijs was very curious about life. What's 'this' all about? Initially, he looked for answers in science and followed a passion for computers.
After years in academic research and building his own software company, Gijs left the business world behind. He began exploring life’s big questions through the non-dual spiritual traditions.
Today, Gijs writes and publishes Big Little Stories: illustrated stories for all ages in simple language that speaks to the heart. He founded This is it Media, a company to publish his own works and works of others.
When he is not writing, he enjoys sailing and spending time with family and friends. Gijs is from the Netherlands and lives in Freiburg, Germany, with his wife and two sons.