Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self
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The Children’s Book Review
The Boy and His Higher Self
Written by Ricardo Santa Cruz
Illustrated by Yuko Kondo
Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-99068-351-8
What to Expect: Inner voice, intuition, growth, learning, self-confidence, mindfulness.
Addressing the abstract and complex idea of inner wisdom, this contemplative picture book helps young readers explore the idea that confidence and wisdom can come from within themselves.
A knock at the door of a boy’s mind kicks off a playful, philosophical conversation in Ricardo Santa Cruz’s The Boy and His Higher Self. When a fluffy, cloud-like presence announces itself as the boy’s higher self, he’s skeptical — but curious. Through a series of gentle exchanges, the higher self explains that it has always been with him, offering a “special box of tools” to help him feel confident, secure, and equipped to make good choices. As the boy learns to quiet his mind and listen without fear, he discovers that this steady inner voice isn’t separate from him at all — it lives in his heart! Equipped with a new sense of confidence, he heads out the door to live his life, certain in the knowledge that he and his higher self are ready to make his dreams come true together.
The main character shares the vulnerabilities, worries, and challenges that many young readers will be familiar with, but his exchange with his inner voice also reveals him to be curious and conscientious. The saturated and jewel-toned colors of the artwork pair well with the dreamlike use of symbolism (rainbows, mountains, the sun) to illustrate abstract concepts and emotions. At the same time, the images present familiar aspects of everyday life, such as a cupboard bursting with toys or the boy glued to a phone screen while a TV plays in the background, helping readers relate to the main character’s situation.
Positive and empowering, The Boy and His Higher Self is a great tool for helping younger readers recognize their own agency in life.
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About the Author
Ricardo Santa Cruz currently lives in Xala, located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, a project of which he is a co-founding partner. All proceeds from The Boy and His Higher Self will be given to The Xala Foundation, aimed at helping to educate and bring opportunities to marginalized communities from the region.
You can learn more at theboyandhishigherself.com and thexalafoundation.org.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of The Boy and His Higher Self. Learn more about getting a book review …
