The Children's Encyclopedia of Heaven

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Melting Pot of Heavenly Thoughts
Review: Less an encyclopedia and more a richly illustrated compendium of thoughts on heaven, Ganeri's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Heaven offers glimpses of the afterlife through diverse eyes: from eight-year-olds to the traditions of many of the worlds' major religions. Illustrations also run the gamut from rather child-like drawings of angels to reproductions of some of the world's most famous artworks depicting life, death, and the afterlife. Clearly written text is engaging, whether answering questions about traveling from earth to heaven, or detailing a ten-year-old's emotional journey when his grandmother dies. The text flows nicely through much of the volume, mostly a retelling of religious beliefs. Thoughts on life and death, angels, heavenly places, and "heaven on earth" are told in a soothing, non-judgmental manner. The only unexpected inclusion is the section on "Heavenly Bodies." Yes, this is an "encyclopedia," but a ten-page section on astronomy seems slightly out of place among the flowing illustrations and gentle text. The final, more frightening chapter on "Hell" is followed by an uplifting but vague treatise on the uncertainty of the existence of Hell, and a charge to the young reader to create "your own heaven." A nicely developed index and bibliography follow for those interested in more specific aspects of heaven.