What's Heaven?

Rating:
Summary: Poorly written
Review: My four-year-old has many questions about Heaven, but this book raised more than it answered, in a confusing, repetitive, and awkwardly worded manner. The topic is difficult and there is a need for books that address it, but this one is just so poorly written as to be painful to read through even once.

Rating:
Summary: Fiction
Review: I was reading the reviews, and I must agree with the person who wrote that the book tends to come from the fairy tale or New Age slant.
I disagree with some points, and I don't want my children to be misled on such a serious subject.
You don't get to heaven by being good. We could never be that good. How do you know when you are good enough? This is not the true teaching of the Christian faith.
We are saved by grace.
The next point wat that everyone goes to heaven. Where did she come up with these ideas?
Another point I found that ventured too far from the truth was the section with the animals that were seperated from regular heaven by a white picket fence.
I guess if Maria marketed her book under fiction it would be alright to put it out there for the children.
I like Maria, but I have purchased other grief products that dealt more realistically with the subject.
My children trust me to tell them the truth. This is no time for Easter Bunny stories. The truth is hard, but it is better that they know. There is peace in knowing the truth. It will stand by them the rest of their lives.
I did like the cover art though.
Give it another try .....

Rating:
Summary: for New Age readers
Review: While it seems harmless and non-denominational, there are a few hard concepts to swallow in this book- especially the very pillers of religious faith.
*To get to heaven you are to "be good" which is not a respected view point in any Christian faith.
*"Everyone" does not go to heaven.
* The spirit of the dead is "everywhere around us"
* Animals go to animal heaven seperated from regular heaven by a white picket fence. (Animals in heaven is mentioned several times in this short book).
Beautiful watercolor drawings, but New Age is my best opinion.

Rating:
Summary: A very comforting book
Review: My grandmother passed away two days ago and I found myself having to explain death to my 3 year old and 5 year old. I had heard about this book several years ago and I immediately thought of it when trying to decide how to explain death to my children in a way that they could understand. I did not buy this book as a theological text; I wanted a book that would comfort my children and help them understand why I am sad. I used this book along with the Bible to help them understand death and heaven, and I found it very comforting myself.

Rating:
Summary: Want more truth
Review: I think Maria tried to describe a very difficult subject.
I do believe that children need to know the truth about such matters more than a fairy tale version. I would like to have seen a more Biblical description of Heaven.
I used After the Tears, A Gentle Guide to Help Children Understand Death (video) to help my children. This video told of losing a pet and then worked through the loss of a loved one.
There were also healing activities such as the Heavenly Message balloon card in this book that we felt helped us.

Rating:
Summary: A Book Review of What's Heaven
Review: I really like this book! The main character in this story is Kate. Kate always asks questions and loves to find out new things. I think just like her. THis book is my all time favorite. You need to read this book or your missing out on a good time.

Rating:
Summary: BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN
Review: As a counsellor, I must say this is one of the most beautiful, yet informative books written for children on the subject of death. The wording, the illustrations and the author's writing style explain the concepts of "death" and "Heaven" in such a compassionate and sentimental way. The explanations have a calming overtone, taking much of the fear and uncertainty out of a subject matter that is often extremely frightening to both children and adults. Children will ask questions about death, as sure as they will at some point ask questions about sex and babies; it is a natural process and they deserve honest answers appropriate to their age. This book is highly recommended particularly to those children who have recently lost, or through terminal illness are about to lose, a family member or close friend.

Rating:
Summary: very helpful for children and adults dealing with grieving
Review: One of the best books written on the topic of what death means to young children. I especially liked how Maria Shriver explains what constitutes the soul of a person. The illustrations are beautiful. I recently gave this book to my 5-yr old nephew who lost his dad, and he showed a lot of interest in the book, and learned from it. I believe most grieving adults would also find some comfort and peace after reading it.

Rating:
Summary: A god-sent book for children experiencing death
Review: I heard about this book from a friend after my husband passed away suddently. My seven year old daughter was helped tremendously by this book. She has had this book read to her time and time again. Whenever she is feeling sad or confused about her farther's death, she pulls the book out and ask for someone to read it to her. This book has meant alot to her and is written on a level for young children to understand a difficult topic. I highly suggest that this book be purchased for children coping with the death of a loved one.

Rating:
Summary: Made me want to cry!
Review: When I first read this book, it seemed interested because of the way the cover of the book is and how the words she said actually came to heart, at least, my heart because it made me think back how I grieved when my grandfather died in 1998. The book made me want to cry! But really, Maria Shriver is a good writer and I can't wait to get my hands on her next book!