Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment
Review: I first heard about this book when I saw Maria Shriver talk about it on the Oprah show. I was interested to discover that a celebrity had brought the topic of heaven into the public arena. When I went to the bookstore to read the book, I was incredibly disappointed. The book is shallow and a watered down version of what heaven is, as spelled out in the Bible. Although there are few books written for young children on the topic of heaven, I found that Kathleen Long Bostrom's book, WHAT ABOUT HEAVEN?, gives a solid explanation of what Christians believe about heaven, based on the biblical references which are included in the back of the book. I am sure that Maria Shriver meant well, but it is always a risk when celebrities think that they can write for children.
Rating: 
Summary: wonderful book!
Review: This book helped explain the death of our children's grandpa. The children playing before the funeral home visit, the explanation of the casket and burial. When our papa died, this book was held on to by and read and reread to our 5 year old, who was struggling to come to terms with why papa's body was here but we kept saying "he" was in heaven. She held on to this book and still asks about it. Our other children were very taken by this book too. If someone close has died and you need a little help in explaining, this is an awesome book to have, I've recommended it to many people with young children, it certainly helped us.
Rating:
Summary: A Child's Guide to Understanding Death
Review: As a teacher, I have used this book to help a child who had a caretaker die. It is well written and honestly addresses many questions children have about this subject. It provides a sense of comfort by stating that the deceased person lives on in one's heart.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent material for a memorial service
Review: I bought this book after our 16 year old daughter died in her sleep suddenly and without explanation. On the anniversary of her death, I struggled to find a reading for a memorial service at her graveside. Uninspired and not comforted with Biblical verses, I picked up What's Heaven? for the first time and read through it. Divine intervention lead me to the book, and I read it to assembled friends at Julia's memorial service. Maria Shriver adeptly grasps what is so very hard for a grieving parent to put into words. To those who condemn this book, some losses are so very, very difficult that you MUST find comfort however it comes to you. What's Heaven? gives us that comfort.
Rating:
Summary: The One Thing Shriver Know The Most
Review: Being the children equilent to her current best-selling "Ten Things I Wish I Know...", this is one lovely book. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Not for Christians
Review: While the nice illustrations and seemingly innocent conversations would appear harmless, this book has a teaching that is in serious contradiction to the Bible and which would be fundamentally wrong for Christians to put into the hands of children (without supervision)who may be attracted to the book time and again, and who may rely on what is says. When the child, Kate, asks how and why people go to heaven, her mother answers that all you have to do is "be good." There is no mention at all of Jesus. The book also states that everyone goes to heaven. (It could have been more appropriate for this book to discuss death and the reassurance of heaven without this defective rationale for who goes there and why.) This appears to be intended to appeal to a wide audience and all faiths, either because we all deal with death, or to increase sales; however, it should not be promoted as a Christian book nor should it be mistaken for one. The promotional materials speak of Ms. Shriver being raised as a Catholic, but I have wondered if the Catholic Church would approve of this content. It would take an active and discerning Christian parent or adult to be present to explain to the child, that this seems like a nice book, but it is not quite right about why people go to heaven. By the enthusiastic reviews of others I have seen who describe this as a book for Christian homes, it appears as though some people are simply not paying close enough attention. This book is being offered on a large scale, and has been featured in some of the book order materials in children's school classrooms. I am concerned about well-meaning Christian parents or teachers who might hand this book to children, not realizing that it contains a flaw which could create a serious and basic misunderstanding for children (or adults) which they could carry throughout their life (if it is not counteracted with other information from the Bible) believing they are going to heaven because of this book's teachings. It could have been a pretty book with a good beginning for a discussion of death and heaven, but it went too far outside Christian beliefs in making incorrect statements. This is not a subtle issue, but instead is large and very basic. However, do not accept this review alone; as with all matters, check the Bible for yourself, and you will see what I mean.
Rating:
Summary: Just what I needed!
Review: When my daughter died from SIDS two years ago, my four year old was so confused. Trying to explain death and heaven to someone that age was so hard. My grandmother bought me this book and I couldn't wait to read it to her. It gave such loving explanations to some of the questions even I couldn't answer in the words a four year old would understand. I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: A book for ALL Christan children
Review: I am a christan, and reading the bible to a 7 year old child is a good idea, but it does not explain it to them on their terms. You can combine this book with the teachings of christianity, and explain death much better to a young child then the bible alone. This book is beautifully written and is perfect for helping a child to deal with the loss of a loved one and explains to them on their level, in words they can understand.
Rating:
Summary: What's Heaven? is Heavenly
Review: This book is wonderful! When my Mother-in-law passed away two years ago I tried my best to discuss my son's feeling wih him at the time. Trying to explain death, feelings and heaven were a little hard for me. When I came across this book in the library this year I decided to check it out. We read it together and I found out there were lots of things I overlooked or forgot to explain. This book explains alot and does so in a very loving way, from a mother's point of view. The illustrations in this book are absolutely breathtaking. A must have!
Rating: 
Summary: Not written for a child who has lost a parent
Review: I got this book to read to my grandchildren who had just lost their 37 year old mother. It is a beautiful book but the interaction between Kate and her mother would have been too hurtful. I would like to see it written for children who had lost a mom or dad. The illustrations are beautiful. My granddaughter is six and can read otherwise I could have changed the wording for them. She loves to read and would have wanted it to read on her own. It would be too difficult for her.
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