Home Runs in Heaven

At some point in their lives, children are bound to ask questions about heaven. In Tracy Sievers' book, Home Runs in Heaven, a mother and her son speculate about what they might see in heaven.

Five-year-old Tyler Nash starts the conversation by asking, “Is there baseball in heaven?”

His mother answers, “No one really knows what heaven is like. But I believe that heaven is better than anything we could imagine here on earth… If I had to guess, I’d say yes…”

From there on, the two imagine heaven as being filled with ice cream, music, roller coasters, movies, sleepovers, jellybeans, birthday parties, a zoo, and so on.

The book layout remains consistent: two-page spreads with the illustrations, done by Trent and Kara Smith, on one side and the text on the other. Text length varies from a few short paragraphs to a full top-to-bottom page.

What I Like: The illustrations are bright and hold enough detail to keep the interest of the reader.

What I Dislike: Overall, I wish the story focused more on what Scripture does tell us about heaven (with Scripture references to back it up) and speculate less on unknown details. Or perhaps I would have been more comfortable if the author had been consistent in saying something along the lines of, "I bet..." or “The Bible doesn’t tell us, so we don’t know, but it’s possible God could…” instead of using definitive language like, “Of course” and “Definitely”.  Without Scripture references to back up the claims, I think this is somewhat confusing to kids. Does the Bible really say there are jellybeans in heaven or not? (Many other children's books about heaven give Bible references for the ideas claimed in the book, but this author does not.) So, while I agree with the author that heaven will be better than anything we could imagine, I'm not certain it will have amusement parks or jellybeans.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: None is suggested, but I think it works for the K-1 crowd.

Publisher Info: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014; ISBN: 978-1499767728; Paperback, 30 pgs., $9.99

This book is NOT available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $9.99.
Special Info: Read other CCBR reviews on books about heaven.

I Don't See Heaven

In I Don’t See Heaven, written by Jennifer Adan, Isabella was looking forward to flying in an airplane. Before her grandpa died, he told her he would go to Heaven. Isabella believed if she could go high in the sky (as in the airplane), she would be high enough to see Heaven and she would be able to see her grandpa.

Of course, that didn’t happen, so she was very upset. Her parents had to explain to her that we can’t see Heaven but we can feel it in our hearts.

The illustrations by E. A. Morando are a bit cartoonish, but they are bright and colorful and work well with the text.

What I Like: I like the illustrations the best. I also like the parents’ explanation of Heaven.

What I Dislike: The layout is rather boring. All of the two-page spreads have the text on the left-hand side and an illustration on the right-hand side. I think a bit of variety would have been better.

Also, the writing is a bit weak and there are several punctuation errors throughout the text.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 8-12.

Publisher Info: Archway Publishing, 2013; ISBN: 9781480403077; Paperback, $9.89.

Buy now at Amazon.com $9.89!

 

Special Info: Visit the author’s website.

A Travel Guide to Heaven for Kids

"'Mom, where do people go when they die?' Joey asked one day. 'They go to heaven to be with Jesus,' his mother answered." So begins Anthony DeStefano's A Travel Guide to Heaven for Kids, based upon his book for adults, A Travel Guide to Heaven.

When Joey lies down in his bed that night, his thoughts about heaven are interrupted by a tap on the window - from a little girl with wings...Gabby, his guardian angel, who says she can take Joey to heaven for a little while if he'll just wear a gold "visitor's" pin. Before Joey can count to 10, the two are at heaven's "golden gate."

The first thing they see are family's greeting and hugging each other. "They're celebrating," Gabby explains. "That's what happens when people die and go to heaven. They're greeted with love by all their friends and family..." Then Gabby takes Joey soaring over a wondrous landscape, filled with rich hues, countryside, and cities. There's even an amusement park with roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and cotton candy.

Next they go into outer space. Gabby says, "All this is part of heaven...Anyone who lives here can explore the entire galaxy." When they fly back to an earth-like location, Joey notices all the animals - even tigers and zebras, dogs and cats, playing and getting along. Gabby tells him, "They never fight. They all get along." Joey even sees beautiful brontosauruses, who let him pet them.

Finally, Gabby shows Joey "the best part of heaven." She points to a bright light in the distance: God. "One day when you live here, you'll be able to go over the hill and meet Him face-to-face," Gabby says. She also says that God created all of the things they've seen so far, expressly so humans could be happy in heaven forever.

By then, it's time for Joey to go back home. As soon as Gabby disappears, in walks Joey's mom, telling him it's time to get ready for school. Joey bursts with news about heaven, informing her it wasn't merely a dream - his guardian angel really did take him to visit heaven. Joey's mother shakes her head, but doesn't want to argue - yet when she makes his bed, she finds a small gold "visitor's" pin.

"Joey just smiled at her as he rushed out the door to school."
 
What I Like: Erwin Madrid has done a fine job of illustrating this book. His images are vivid, beautiful, and sometimes fun. He makes heaven look like kid-paradise, complete with friendly dinosaurs.

What I Dislike: I'm disturbed by the addition of fantasy and extra-biblical content in this book. For example, while it's true the Bible talks about angels looking out for humans, it never once uses the words "guardian angel," even though Gabby insists, "Everyone has a guardian angel." Another example is the description of the gates of heaven being gold. The Bible says there are twelve gates and they are pearly (Rev. 21:21). I know of nowhere in the Bible where it says our relatives will greet us as we enter heaven, and while I agree that heaven will be a beautiful new earth, I'm not certain it will have amusement parks or cotton candy. There is even a non-biblical error: There is no such dinosaur as a brontosaurus.

As we read this book, my 5 year old kept asking, "Is that true, Mommy?" Sadly, often I had to answer, "no."

I also wish that, like many other children's books about heaven, the author gave Bible references for the things he is teaching.

Overall Rating: Ho-hum, due to inaccuracies and lack of biblical documentation.

Age Appeal: The publisher doesn't offer an age range, but I'd say 4 to 8 or so.

Publishing Info: Harvest House; 2013; ISBN: 978-0736955096; hardback, 32 pgs., $11.19

Buy Now at Amazon for $11.19

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $10.99

Special Info: You can watch a video trailer for this book at the author's website. Also, you might read our reviews of other books by Anthony DeStefano - and check out our reviews of other kids' books about heaven.

How Do We Get to Heaven?

Children ask lots of questions about everything imaginable. Sometimes, as parents, we rack our brains about how to explain grown-up concepts to children. Author Cindy Pertzborn makes it easy to talk to children about Heaven and how we can get there. Her book, How Do We Get to Heaven? was written in response to her own five-year-old’s question, “Mom, how do we get to Heaven?”

She writes a story that children will understand and that parents can use as a guide for teaching their children about God and spending eternity in Heaven. She says that getting to Heaven is as easy as A-B-C: “Admit to God that you have sinned; Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for you; and Choose to trust and love God.”

She incorporates a short prayer into the story that children can pray when they are ready to accept Jesus into their heart. She also includes a Commitment Pledge they can sign, as well as a section of Biblical References for verses dealing with sin, salvation and forgiveness.

The illustrations by Stephen Adams are bold, colorful and attention-grabbing.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 5-12.

Publisher Info: WestBow Press, 2012; ISBN: 9781449745851; Paperback, $16.95.

Buy now at Amazon.com $15.26! 
 

Special Info: Visit the author’s website.

Heaven, God's Promise for Me

“We wondered when our Granny died,/ Where did she really go?/ It’s lonely here without her,/ And we just miss her so!”

When someone dear passes away and little ones start asking questions about Heaven, where can a parent turn for help? Check out Heaven, God’s Promise for Me, by Anne Graham Lotz. Kid-friendly, whimsical pictures created by Laura J. Bryant depict children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and animals of all kinds.

The story explores the promises God gives us about our eternal home. The book opens with a letter from Graham to parents, telling why she wrote the book and giving them some encouraging tips about how they can pass on their faith. Then the story begins. Written in rhyming verse, it follows a brother and sister as they pray for answers about Heaven, and then look for answers in the Bible. They discover that God not only has a great big house with many rooms, but that “Jesus, His Son, is preparing a place. With treasures from above--/ Our favorite foods and colors,/ And the special people we love…” Jesus will also wipe away our tears, and there will be no crying or pain or sickness or sadness or hunger!

The book goes on to describe the beauty of our Heavenly home. Finally, in the grand tradition of Billy Graham, daughter Anne Graham Lotz masterfully takes the tale to a poignant culmination by encouraging readers to put their trust in Jesus. In fact, after the story, the author includes a prayer kids can recite to ask Jesus into their hearts. The book also includes questions parents can use to help talk about Heaven (such as “Where is Heaven?” and “Will you be welcomed in Heaven? Why?”) and a helpful list of Scripture references used to build the foundation of the story.

What I Like: The book seems like a great tool to help guide children to understand eternity and how to put their faith in Christ. The inclusion of Scripture references provides both parent and child with a stepping stone to further explore the ideas presented in the story. I also LOVE the bright and appealing watercolor illustrations.

What I Dislike: Rhyming books are hard to write well. (In fact, out of the rhyming books I’ve read most recently, Crystal Bowman is one of the few authors who consistently gets the meter right.) In this book, the meter works some of the time, but sometimes it’s simply off. Because of that, when I read it out loud, I stumbled over a several verses. Still, the message and illustrations paired with the extra support (letter to parents, prayer, Scripture references) are strong enough to offset that flaw.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: Ages 4 and up.

Publisher Info: Zondervan, 2011; ISBN:978-0310716013; Hardcover, 40 PGS., $16.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $11.49
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.55
OR Buy the Kindle version for $9.99.

Special Info: Anne Graham Lotz is the CEO of AnGeL Ministries. You can find out more information about this ministry at her website. She mainly writes books for adults. Some titles are The Magnificent Obsession: Embracing the God-Filled Life, Just Give Me Jesus, and Heaven: My Father’s House.

Heaven is for Real for Kids

Millions of adult readers purchased the New York Times bestseller Heaven is for Real - the story of a three year old boy named Colton and his trip to heaven. And now there is a picture book version, Heaven is for Real for Kids. Written by Colton Burpo with input from Colton's parents, Todd and Sonja Burpo, the book features illustrations by Wilson Ong - who apparently had to get Colton's approval for every image, to ensure accuracy.

The picture book begins by explaining that one day Colton got sick and went to the hospital. There, he closed his eyes - and when he opened them, he was with Jesus. Then the book switches to "Colton's voice" - although parents may wish to note the story was not specifically dictated by Colton.

First, there's a description of Jesus: He really loves children, his eyes sparkle, and he has a bright smile. The accompanying picture shows Jesus with a gold crown, a purple sash, and wounds on his hands.

Colton then says Heaven has beautiful music and lots of colors, including rainbows "everywhere you look." The streets are gold and the gates are made of pearl. "There is no sun, but it never gets dark in heaven because the light of God is so bright." Everyone is happy.

Colton says that while in Heaven he met John the Baptist, King David, Samson, Peter, John, and Mary (Jesus' mother). He also met his grandfather (who died before Colton was born), and a sister who his mother miscarried. There are tons of children in heaven, and lots of angels. Michael and Gabriel "are as tall as giants" and Michael's sword "is covered in flames and is really powerful." Angels sing praises to God, "deliver messages," and "protect people on earth." The people in heaven are depicted with wings and halos, and in the notes following the story, Colton is quoted as saying, "You get to choose if you want to walk or fly." There are lots of animals in heaven, too - animals we'd recognize from earth. Jesus also has a large white horse with a rainbow colored mane.

Colton also sees God's throne. God the Father is "HUGE." Jesus sits to his right and the Holy Spirit is nearby. "A little chair was brought in for me, and I sat by God the Holy Spirit. I was praying for my dad because I knew he was really worried about me." Jesus finally says, "'Colton, you have to go back now. I am answering your dad's prayer.' Then I woke up, and was in my hospital bed again." The book ends:

"I will never, ever forget my trip to heaven...Jesus really, really loves children. And Jesus really, really loves you!"

What I Like: I can find nothing in this book that contradicts the Bible and I like that biblical quotes are included throughout.

What I Dislike: I felt cautious about introducing this book to my children. They were excited about it, to be sure. My 6 year old's eyes were as wide as saucers when I told her the little boy in the book says everything in the book is true. But I also didn't feel comfortable saying that this book presented an accurate picture of heaven. It may very well - but then again, it may not. There is plenty of information in it that's extra-biblical (that is, it includes details not included in the Bible). It's one thing for adults to read this account and use critical thinking and prayer to decide if it is accurate, but is a child looking at a picture book old enough to do this? In the end, I decided the book was a good launch pad for discussing what the Bible says about heaven, and how we might determine whether Colton really experienced heaven or not.
Overall Rating: This is a tough one to rate, but if you can accept that the account is an accurate one, I'd give it a "Very Good" rating.

Age Appeal: 4 to 8. Younger kids may like it, too, but I don't think they will have the maturity to discuss the accuracy of the account.

Publishing Info: Thomas Nelson; 2011; ISBN: 978-1400318704; hardback, 32 pgs., $14.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $10.19

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $8.99

The Battle for Andy

On Andy's seventeenth birthday, his parents are killed in a car accident. As an only child, he was close to his parents, and embraced their Christianity. However, when his non-believing aunt learns he is heir to over a million dollars, she becomes enthralled with the idea of becoming his guardian and showing him the folly of his faith. Little does she realize, God has other plans for Andy.

Written in the style of Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, The Battle for Andy explores the supernatural struggle for Andy's allegiance, and ultimately, his soul. Ann Correll writes a captivating, real-life mystery, using a spiritual warfare framework. As soon as Andy's parents die, Satan sends his servants to try to turn Andy away from God. God is not taken by surprise, however, and sends His own angels to protect Andy.

The servants of Satan quickly learn they can use Aunt Margaret's greed to negatively influence Andy. Margaret will stop at nothing, even if it means harming her own father, her husband, and Andy. Through it all, Andy's grandpa and his youth pastor stay close to him, uphold him with prayer, and guide him in the right paths. Obviously, God's side wins, and Andy stays strong in his faith.

What I Like: I love Ann Correll's heart. She clearly has a heart for teens, and hopes they all will know Jesus and trust Him, no matter what happens in their lives. I also like the way she uses Scripture throughout the book. Andy, his grandpa, and his youth pastor all know their Bibles, and can apply the Word of God to everyday situations. Correll includes a chapter-by-chapter list of Scriptures at the end of the book.

The Battle for Andy is also a good reminder of Ephesians 6: 12: "For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the . . .spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly high places." Correll clearly shows the power of prayer to defeat Satan's servants, and the wisdom of making good choices.

What I Dislike: I have a couple of concerns both with Correll's writing and theology. First, her grandmother's voice comes though in her writing. I don't mind this, but I am afraid teen boys won't get past the first chapter. Although she consistently speaks with love, she does sound a bit preachy and old-fashioned at times. Andy is seventeen, and is mature for his age, but still calls his grandfather "Papa." As I say, I don't mind Correll's voice, but I am not sure teens would read the whole book. Also, Andy and Margaret often call their fathers by their first names, which makes reading confusing. I had to go back and check who they were referring to more than once.

Secondly, Correll presents two theological issues I am not sure I agree with. She maintains God has no problem with Christians being wealthy, and uses Job and Abraham as examples. However, she never addresses Jesus' teachings that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

She also shows Andy's grandfather counseling Andy to ask God for a "sign" in the manner of Gideon. I believe this was acceptable in Old Testament times. However, since God sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers after Jesus died, we can rely on His leading, and no longer need to ask for tangible "signs."

Although both these issues are controversial, I wouldn't want teens reading the book to assume they will be wealthy if they do the right thing. I also wouldn't want readers to always rely on "signs" to discern God's will.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: Young Adult (14-21)

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing Enterprises, 2011; ISBN: 978-61739; Paperback, 194 pages, $15.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $15.99.

Treasures from Heaven

Do you ever wonder what Heaven will be like? In Treasures from Heaven, written by Leslie Jackson, young Christa and her mother have lots of ideas about it. Perhaps Heaven is like cotton candy or coffee. Perhaps Heaven is like a rainbow or a laugh. As the two drive along the road, they offer their thoughts in a lighthearted way.

Each two-page spread in the book has two to five lines of text on one side and simple, bright, kid-friendly illustrations on the other.

What I Like: The eye-catching illustrations are adorable and the banter between mother and child is enjoyable. To me, the best line is, “…most importantly, it [Heaven] will be filled with God’s love, and I can’t wait to get there.”

What I Dislike: While imagining what Heaven is like, Mom suggests Christa think of her favorite things. For some reason, that bothers me. Would, then, Heaven be different for everyone according to their personal preferences? Also, I would have liked some Heavenly Scripture references.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: The publisher lists ages 4-8, but to me it seems too "young" for that. I believe it's better suited for ages 2-5.

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing, 2011; ISBN:978-1617392672; Paperback, 24 PGS., $8.99

This book is not available at Christianbook.com
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.99.

Friends Forever

The story Forever Friends, written by Mary Ann McRaney, opens with a terrified ten-year-old Cassie Bennett hiding in the darkness of her closet. With her alcoholic mother passed out on the couch and the strange man Mother brought home trying to break into Cassie’s locked bedroom, there seems to be nowhere else to go. And, since her father was killed in an accident, there also seems to be no one left to protect her either.

Unfortunately for Cassie, this situation is not new.

Worse, as bad as her home life has become, school is not much better. Since her mother is usually too drunk to do laundry or stock the refrigerator, Cassie arrives at class unkempt and hungry... which, in turn, makes her the target of bullies.

The one person Cassie can rely on is old Mr. Smits, who encourages her, sometimes feeds her, and often tells her about angels.

After spending one particularly harrowing night in the closet, Cassie remembers Mr. Smits' stories and cries out to God for help. The next day, a new student arrives in Cassie's classroom. Her name is Gabriella, or Gabby. Gabby is kind, uplifting, and, unbeknown to Cassie, a guardian angel. Gabby quickly befriends Cassie and, by offering words of wisdom and comfort, helps Cassie understand that no one is powerless against fear and evil. Gabby says, “...you have the power inside of you to conquer your fear. Fear will drive you to make wrong choices and keep you from being all you can be. It’s not God’s plan for his creation to be fearful and give in to evil. God wants you to stand up and let your light shine. You are here to be part of the goodness and light in this world. Don't let evil win."

The two girls soon discover that the man stalking Cassie is a pedophile. With newfound strength, Cassie alerts the police and saves a younger neighbor girl from the man.

Then, just as Cassie's life starts turning around, she is killed in a drunk driving accident. The story ends with Cassie's mom recovering in the hospital, Mr. Smits tending her, and Cassie in heaven meeting her dad.

What I Like: I liked the main message of the book: Let your light shine by helping others and by standing up to evil. I also liked the author's description of Heaven. Also, throughout the story, Gabby offers many nuggets of wisdom worth reading.

What I Dislike: Although the idea for the book was good, the writing was inconsistent. Sometimes it was choppy. Other times the prose wandered off topic, which took away the intensity of a passage. I was also distracted by a few spelling and numerous punctuation errors. Toward the end, the focus of the story seemed to abruptly switch from Cassie to her mother—a character with a storyline that had not been well developed and with whom the reader had invested little emotional interest. (In fact, Cassie died right when she started getting interesting.) Also, while the situations faced by middle school students held authenticity, since Gabby almost magically solved every problem, the solutions felt hollow. Finally, although the author explored the idea of guardian angels, the role of faith in God was not truly addressed.

Because of the somewhat frightening opening (a pedophile trying to break into a child's bedroom) and the delicate subject matter (alcoholism, child neglect, and death), I believe parents should preview the first chapter before deciding whether or not to let their child read the book.

Overall Rating: Ho-hum

Age Appeal: No reading level is given. The main character is 10 years old, but I feel the story would be better suited for children ages 12-14.

Publisher Info: Xulon Press, 2009; ISBN: 978-1-60791-361-0; Paperback, $ 14.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.69.

Special Info: While Gabby is in Heaven, the book describes God, Jesus, and archangels.

Pictorial Pilgrim's Progress

John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is widely thought of as one of the most significant works of literature in English; it's been translated into over 200 languages, and it's never fallen out of print. There is good reason for this. Not only is this allegory one of the finest ever written, but the book speaks well to Christians who know their journey on this earth won't be easy.

Pictorial Pilgrim's Progress modernizes and shortens Bunyan's 17th century text, but still doesn't dumb things down. Each page of this mass market paperback features a black and white line drawing that takes up about half the page - sometimes more. All the main points of the original novel are still intact as Christian decides to seek Heaven, has adventures and trials along the way with people like Obstinate, Pliable, and Atheist, battles with Apollyon, journeys perilously through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and so on, until he's finally greeted warmly at the Celestial City.

What I Like: The format is good. The illustrations prevent kids from becoming bogged down in text, making this important novel - which can teach us a great deal about sticking to the narrow path - much more accessible. I also appreciate that the biblical quotations, which in the original text had no references, are clearly marked so readers can look up the quotes in context in the Bible.

I also like the delicate handling of some of the mature subjects in this book. For example, in the scenes with the Giant (who holds Christian and his friend captive), the Giant simply says "they would likely never get out alive and that they had better take their own lives." But the two pilgrims "refused to kill themselves." Period.

When Christian's friend is martyred by burning at the stake, no detail is given, and the accompanying illustration isn't gruesome. Too, the images of Apollyon (Satan), which are often disturbing in other illustrated versions of Pilgrim's Progress, does the job of showing the Dragon without stirring up nightmares later.
What I Dislike: The illustrations by Joanne Brubaker, while helpful and likeable, are slightly old fashioned, having originally been published in 1960. But I don't think this is enough to keep most kids from enjoying this book.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: The publisher doesn't specify, but I'd say tweens and teens.

Publishing Info: Moody, 1960; ISBN: 978-0802400192; paperback, $6.99

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $6.99

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $5.99

Special Info: Read our reviews of other versions of Pilgrim's Progress.

Pilgrim's Progress

John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is possibly the greatest work of Christian fiction ever written. An allegory full of biblical truths to help guide us toward Heaven, Bunyan's tale, written in the 17th century, isn't exactly an easy read for children. That's where Tim Dowley's retelling steps in.

80 pages long and heavily illustrated, this modern version of Pilgrim's Progress follows the tale of Christian, who is leaving his hometown, the "City of Destruction," for the "Celestial City." His journey is fraught with difficulties. First, his wife, children, and friends refuse to go with him - and try to prevent Christian from going alone. Then Christian nearly gets stuck in the swampy Slough of Despond, gets sidetracked by Mr. Worldly Wiseman, and gets attacked by fierce lions. He battles with the Dark Fiend Apollyon, travels through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, sees his friend martyred, is deceived by a Flatterer masquerading as a Shining One, and is taunted by Atheist.

Good things happen, too, though. His heavy burden falls from his shoulders upon seeing the Cross and empty tomb, the Evangelist and Shining Ones help him repeatedly, and the sisters Love, Hope, Mercy, and Joy provide him with armor for his journey.

In the end, Christian is true to his King, and is warmly welcomed at the gates of the Celestial City.

What I Like: Bunyan's original is a fat book, but Dowley does an excellent job synthesizing it while still making the book flow nicely. Many of Bunyan's themes are still present in this children's volume. The illustrations by Steve Smallman are also engaging and rich with detail. The gray grimness of most scenes usually show some sort of light to guide Christian. For example, when he's stuck in the swamp, everything and everyone is gray - except Helper, who is in full color. And, naturally, the Celestial City is ablaze in golden hues. My 4 year old was captivated by this book.

What I Dislike: Although everyone in this story is shown dressed in modern clothing, the Evangelist is not. Instead, he's dressed like a 1960s hippie guru. Also, the second to the last sentence in the book says of Heaven: "Good men made perfect walked there." However, the Bible teaches us that true goodness isn't humanly possible, and is certainly not what gets us to Heaven.

In addition, parents will want to use some caution introducing this book to their children. Apollyon (Satan) is graphically illustrated as a big, red, creepy dragon who spews fire. In addition, a number of illustrations include piles of human bones. If your child is prone to nightmares, this book may not be for him or her.

The book also depicts a scene where Christian and his friend are given the opportunity to kill themselves rather than be continually beaten by a giant. Christian wonders if they'd be better off killing themselves, but his friend quickly talks him out of it. While suicide is an important subject to discuss with your kids - and perhaps at a younger age than we might like - if you're not ready to bring up this topic yet, this may not be the book for you. I also strongly dislike the fact that no reason for not committing suicide is given in the book.

My only other wish - although I wouldn't call it a "dislike" - is for a section in the back of the book with suggested discussion questions. I'd also appreciate biblical references or a study guide to support this important story of the sort of hardships and temptations modern Christians must face.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 9 - 12, according to the publisher, but as long as you don't mind the somewhat mature themes, some kids as young as 4 will enjoy this book.

Publishing Info: Candle Books, 2008; ISBN: 978-0825473647; paperback, $9.99

Buy Now at ChristianBook.com for $7.99

OR buy at Amazon.com for $9.99

Special Info: There is also a board game to go along with this book. Amazon.com carries it for $24.99, while ChristianBook.com sells it for $17.99. Also, check out our other reviews of children's versions of Pilgrim's Progress.

What's Gramma Doing in Heaven?

Cecilia's Gramma recently died. What's Gramma Doing in Heaven? is the story of a mother and daughter (Cecilia) visiting the grave of Cecilia's Gramma. It's written by Whitney Manse and illustrated by Kurt Jones.

Cecilia is curious what happened to Gramma. At Gramma's graveside, Mom shares that Gramma went to Heaven, and what she may be doing there: seeing friends and family, finding her mansion, and eating from the Tree of Life, among other things. Mom also says Gramma is in Heaven because she loved (and still loves) Jesus. Mom assures Cecilia they'll both get to see Gramma again someday since they love Jesus, and that's how you get to go to Heaven.

What I Like: The illustrations in this book are beautiful. They capture the story and what Cecilia and Mom discuss and, I think, helps demonstrate to a child the possibility of what Heaven may look like.

The story is heartwarming. I like the concept of Mom taking Cecilia to the graveside to not only place flowers, but also discuss the meaning of death, which isn't treated as a sad event - rather, a celebration.

What I Dislike: I'm very cognizant of the fact certain denominations think differently about Heaven and when one goes there. This book, while it has a list of scripture references at the back to support the story, may fail this particular litmus test for some readers since Gramma is portrayed as going to Heaven before the Second Coming.

Also, especially for younger readers, I thought seeing Cecilia's gramma as a young woman (as she's portrayed through all pages of the book save one) may be disconcerting for children who may not understand the concept of a "new body", which wasn't addressed in the book. Most children will probably be used to seeing a grandparent as older.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: 4 - 8 years.

Publishing Info: Tate Publishing, 2010; ISBN: 978-1-61566-852-6; Paperback $9.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $9.99

Special Info: In addition to the denominational issue mentioned above, one image showed Jesus' face. He is portrayed as Caucasian.

Little Pilgrim's Progress

Little Pilgrim's Progress is almost as much a classic as John Bunyan's centuries-old original, Pilgrim's Progress. In 1955, Helen L. Taylor adapted Pilgrim's Progress to make it easier for children to read and understand. Little Pilgrim's Progress is an overt allegory, detailing the journey of Christian, and his friend Christiana, out of the City of Destruction and into the Celestial City. The book instills readers with a clear sense of hope and joy, as Christian and his friends remember they will be with the King in his beautiful city forever, no matter what trials they may face along the way.

The characters in the book are named after virtues or vices, and their actions are obviously linked to their identities. Christian hears about the Celestial City (Heaven) from Evangelist, and since his mother is already living in the Celestial City, he decides to travel there and find her. He is instructed to go through the Wicket Gate and by way of the Cross. At the Cross, he is able to lay his burden down and he receives new garments of white. Many helpers come to assist him in his journey, but there are evil people set against him as well. He must make his way through the Valley of Humiliation, the Dark Valley, and the Doubting Castle where the Giant of Despair lives, to name a few. He also passes many other children on his journey, such as Idle, Talkative, and Flatterer, who attempt to steer him off the path.

Christian receives help in reading his scroll (the Bible) from Interpreter, and rests at the Palace Beautiful with Discretion, and her daughters, Prudence, Piety and Charity. He is joined by Faithful and Hopeful at different points in his journey, and he is given armor to fight Self. Now and again, the Shining Ones (angels) help him, but they also discipline him when he makes poor choices.

Faithful is killed by wicked men in Vanity Fair, but Little Christian continues, knowing Faithful was taken by angels directly to the Celestial City. Eventually, he comes to the Land of Delight, where he lives until he is summoned to the Celestial City by the King. His final trial is crossing the Dark River, but he is greeted on the other side by the Shining Ones and his mother, who has been watching for him.

Christiana's story is told in the second half of the book and though she meets some of the same people, her experiences are more peaceful and her trials are less dramatic. She brings her brothers and her baby sister with her in their quest to find the Celestial City, and they are joined by several adults along the way.

There are heavy ink sketches scattered throughout the book, and the short chapters lend themselves well to reading aloud or use as a devotional.

What I Like: I like how encouraging the view of Heaven (the Celestial City) is. It is described as a beautiful, shining palace, where people are cared for and greeted warmly by the King and His Son, and those who love them and have gone before.

I also like how Christian and Christiana are expected to be brave and stay on the King's path, even though they are children. The King and his helpers are always ready to assist and guide the children, but the children clearly have responsibility despite their youth.

Little Pilgrim's Progress is also quite an adventure. There are battles, giants, castles and armor enough to captivate any boy, even though virtues are heavily emphasized.

What I Dislike: The important thing to note with the book is to know your audience. While it is an encouraging, uplifting tale is some respects, the Christian life is not shown as easy or fun much of the time. This is true of real life as well, but I think some children may be discouraged at some of the events. I was sad when Faithful was killed and when Hopeful and Christian were whipped by the Shining Ones for going off the path. I do remember liking the book as a child, but parents should be prepared to discuss some of these events with your children.

The other item worth mentioning deals with suicide. When Christian and Faithful are imprisoned in the dungeon of the giant, Despair, he leaves poison out for them to drink. Hopeful says, "If we were to kill ourselves, the angels would never come to take us to the Celestial City. They only come when the King sends them." On the one hand, suicide is wrong, but we also know today the vast majority of suicides occur in people with a diagnosable mental illness, so this portion of the book may require careful explanation.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 6-12

Publisher Info: Moody Publishers, 2006; ISBN: 978-0-8024-4924-5; Paperback, $8.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $6.99

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.99.

What Will Heaven Be Like?

What Will Heaven Be Like? is a question every person - young and old - wonders. While there are many picture books covering this topic, Kathleen Ruckman's new book offers a gentle and sweet way to teach younger children the basics about heaven.

As the book opens, Annie and Adam are spending an afternoon on their grandpa's farm. As they chase frogs, gather wildflowers, talk to the cows and sheep, chew on stalks of wheat, and other activities, they talk with their grandpa about heaven. Grandpa teaches them that Jesus is working on our home in heaven - right now. That no one will be sick, have pain, or feel sad in heaven. That heaven is the place where everyone who loves Jesus will go someday. That we don't have to be afraid of death, because Jesus guide us to heaven. That we may not have food in heaven, but that we'll have a grand celebration with Jesus. That we will see loved ones who've died in heaven. That we don't know if there will be pets in heaven, "but I suspect that whatever is beautiful and whatever makes us happy just might be there. We'll have to wait and see. God has been planning heaven for a very long time - and it will be more wonderful than we can imagine!"

The last page of the book offers biblical references to the heavenly facts talked about in the story.
What I Like: Ruckman does a nice job of making the conversation between grandchildren and grandfather seem natural. We get to enjoy the delights of nature and the farm while the kids talk, too. The Bible references are also indispensable. My preschooler loves this book, and asks me to read it often.
What I Dislike: Greg Hardin's illustrations aren't really my taste; they look computer generated. But by four year old is really engaged by them.
Overall Rating: Very good.
Age Appeal: 4 - 8.
Publishing Info: Harvest House, 2010; ISBN: 978-0736925716; hardback, $15.99
Buy Now at ChristianBook.com for $11.99
OR buy at Amazon.com for $12.47

Grandpa, Is There a Heaven?

Grandpa, Is There a Heaven?, written by Katherine Bohlmann, is a dialogue between a young boy and his grandpa. The young boy asks his grandpa many questions, one of which deals with the existence of heaven. Each time grandpa answers a question, the boy asks, “Grandpa, Grandpa, how do you know?” His grandpa replies, “Because the Bible tells me so.” There are Bible verses to back up and illustrate each answer to each question.

The text is in rhyme. For the most part, it works well, but there are some places where the rhyme is forced and the rhythm unnatural. For instance, the author tries to rhyme the words “sorry” and “naughty.” That just doesn’t work.

The illustrations by David Erickson are lifelike. The illustrator makes the characters in the pictures come alive with his use of complementary colors and detail of expressions.

What I Like: I like the illustrations the most. As mentioned, they are very lifelike and they depict scenes any child can relate to.

What I Dislike: As you probably know by now, I’m not a big fan of rhyming picture books. I think the text of this book would have been stronger without the rhyme.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Concordia College, 2008; ISBN: 0758614780; Paperback, $7.49.

Buy now at ChristianBook $5.49!
 
Or buy at Amazon.com $7.49.

Special Info: This book features a young boy and his grandpa. Although the message is a good one for all children, girls might a bit put off by that fact.

Read our reviews of other books illustrated by David Erickson .

Tell Me About Heaven

Tell Me About Heaven, by Randy Alcorn, is a positive and uplifting story about a 10-year-old boy who visits his grandpa for the first time after his grandma has died. Jake and his grandpa spend fun summer days hiking, picking berries, going to church, and reminiscing about Jake's grandma. Jake's grandpa answers lots of questions about Heaven and shows Jake how to find out more in the Bible.

The chapters begin by describing Jake's loss, and go on to discuss what the Bible says about the Garden of Eden and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Jake and his grandpa then imagine what life in Heaven might be like, based on the Scriptures.

The story is primarily an account of various conversations Jake and his grandpa have in different settings. It is a bit slow-moving, but includes lots of cute snapshots of Moses (their puppy), as well as descriptions of Jake and his grandpa engaged in everyday activities like star-gazing, making hot chocolate, and reading the Narnia books.

Tell Me About Heaven is vibrantly illustrated by Ron DiCianni. There are vivid, colorful paintings at the beginning of each chapter that add life to the story. Angels and children of all different races are shown, and Jesus' love is evident in His facial expressions. One of my favorite paintings shows angels carrying a joyful man home to Heaven.

What I Like: I love how positive Jake's grandpa is. Even though he misses his wife, he is thrilled to think of her in Heaven with Jesus. Hearing him describe Heaven makes us excited to go there as well. I also really like Jake. He is a sweet boy who has a lot of questions. He is a realistic mix of energy and sadness, and his relationship with his grandpa feels very genuine.

Randy Alcorn's depiction of Heaven is quite detailed, and I love the clear, thorough way he addresses even controversial issues. He rarely speaks in absolutes, but answers Jake's questions by saying, "I wouldn't be surprised." This is Jake's grandpa's response when Jake asks if pets will go to Heaven: "God's touched many people's lives through animals. God can do anything - it'd be simple for Him to recreate a pet in Heaven if He wants to." Alcorn takes a similar approach to Jake's questions about whether dinosaurs, computers, and cars may be in Heaven.

Alcorn does a good job explaining that people we love in Heaven may be able to see us sometimes, but that it's still important to pray only to Jesus.

The best part of the book is the way Alcorn always brings the discussion back to Jesus and His saving grace. There is even a beautiful Certificate of Commitment in the back of the book to commemorate a reader's salvation.

What I Dislike: Although this is a fabulous book, there is almost too much in every chapter. Because of the many theological issues Alcorn addresses, I found myself wanting to read the chapter myself before I read it aloud to my children. I did selectively edit a section in Chapter 1 and another section in Chapter 9 that talked about a 6-year-old dying and an 8-year-old dying of leukemia. Although Alcorn handled it very sensitively, my children haven't specifically dealt with children their age dying.

Alcorn has done a lengthy, fairly intellectual adult book called Heaven and a children's version called Heaven for Kids , which explain his theology, but I wish Tell Me About Heaven included endnotes or at least a list of Scripture references at the back.

The chapters are a bit long, with only one painting at the beginning of each chapter. The book reads more like a chapter book, even though it is a picture book.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 8-12

Publisher Info: Crossway Books, 2007; ISBN13: 978-1-58134-853-8; Hardcover, $19.99

Special Notes: Some of the paintings depict Jesus as both an infant and an adult, hugging people, rising from the dead, and walking with children and animals in Heaven.

Read our other reviews of Randy Alcorn's books.

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $14.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $13.59.