A Travel Guide to Heaven for Kids

This is such a beautiful little book - comforting and gently written. What a reassuring book Anthony DeStefano has written, and Erwin Madrid's beautiful illustrations are the perfect complement. Little "Joey" in the book looks to be just about 5 years old - same age our grandson was when we purchased this book, and Joey has his own questions about what Heaven is like, so it immediately drew our grandson in. Typically, he's the type who would ask question after question while reading a book for the first time, but he was completely quiet, sitting mesmerized as I continued reading on about Joey's "visit" to Heaven with his guardian angel, Gabby, all of the beautiful and amazing sights there, how happy everyone is... "They're celebrating," says Gabby. "That's what happens when people die and go to heaven. They're greeted by all their friends and family. Grandpas, grandmas, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters - everyone is here! They know that they will never again be separated, never again be sick, never again be sad or cry - and they will be able to live here together in heaven forever and ever."Over the past seven years, life's circumstances worked out so that I was given the opportunity to babysit while my daughter-in-law worked, and it has been THE best, most challenging, and most rewarding "job" I've had in my years on this earth! My daughter-in-law became a stay-at-home mom a few months ago, so I'm doing my best to battle a second round of "empty nest syndrome" by going back over some of the treasured books and toys we've accumulated during these special years. This book has been incredibly special.Our oldest grandson began all-day kindergarten in the fall of 2013, and despite having had two years of 3-half-days-a-week preschool to start getting used to the "separation" (not to mention a second, year and a half old grandson by that time with whom I'd have my hands full), we'd developed a super special bond over those first 5-1/2 years, and I REALLY looked forward to any school holidays and having him back over. The Thanksgiving break was one such opportunity, and - as was our habit when his baby brother took his afternoon nap - I plunked him into the tub to get him washed up before my son came to pick him up, and we'd sit there as he played with his bath toys, singing kooky songs and talking... so many great memories stem from those times. One day, I mentioned to him that he was just growing up too fast, and asked if he would please stop doing so, because the older HE got, the older I got! This led to him asking me how old I would be when he turned 10, 20, etc. When he got to "How old will you be when I'm YOUR age?", I responded "Oh my gosh, honey, I'll be long gone by then!" He asked what I meant, where was I going? I responded that by the time he was my age, I'd be about 100 years old, and most people have died and gone to Heaven by then. Oh my goodness - he BURST into tears, saying "But I don't WANT you to die, Grandma!" Took quite a long time to calm him down, and later that night, I began thinking about how difficult the whole concept of dying is for a youngster. Within the week, I'd found this book on Amazon and thought it'd be worth a try - pulled it out over the Christmas school break, and we read it together for the first time.He was snuggled up against me through the whole story, and I could literally feel what started out as tenseness in his little body slowly relax as we read. When we were finished, I asked him if he understood a little bit better about what happens when people die and go to heaven, how much I knew his great grandparents would be missing me and be looking forward to seeing me when I joined them, and how excited Grandpa and I would be one day when it was time for his dad to join us, and the big party we would ALL have when he finally joined us too. He said, "Yes... but Grandma? Could you PLEASE still not go to Heaven for a reeeeeeeally long time?" I told him I certainly had no plans to leave any time soon!As we're all aware, none of us knows when our ticket's going to be punched. But I think this book can be very helpful and reassuring not only to children who've already experienced a death in the family, but also to youngsters - like my grandson - who are beginning to question and may be fearful of what lies ahead. I was very happy with this little book!

Perfect story for my grandchildren! Will help them when great grandma goes to Jesus!

Very entertaining for young children and more importantly educational about our lord.

Ok here goes..bought this book for my 8yo daughter who constantly asks about her Poppy in heaven...I bought this book because I figured it would answer some of her questions..I read the book alone before deciding I wanted to read it to her. Im glad I did because Although the book is cute I didnt like the guardian angel telling the little boy heaven has rides like a carnival. Roller coasters ...and cotton candy.Now to think heaven has all those things is adorable but I'd rather not haves those things described in a children's book. It bothered me when I thought about maybe a child who suffers from depression or is suicidal.Wanting to go to heaven for rides and cotton candy. Maybe im over analyzing too much but im glad i didn't read it to my daughter. Unfortunately I will be returning this book.

To comment on one of the reviews that says not everyone has a guardian angel, this is written by a Catholic and we believe each person has a guardian angel. If you are OK with that, this book is appropriate for all Christian denominations.I bought this for my 4 year old Goddaughter who was upset when her cat died and confused about heaven. I heard the review of this book on Catholic Radio and the positive response it had on children. My Goddaughter absolutely loves this book and has deemed it one of her favorites. She is no longer worried about death & heaven.I ordered this w/o reading it first and was a bit disappointed when it arrived. It states that all of the animals of the world are in heaven, which isn't necessarily true to Catholic teaching. I bought it for my Goddaughter though, and she loves it so I am happy it helped her & that I bought this book.

My mother in law padded away 2 days after my son was born and my 3 year old kept asking for her Grammy.. I wasn’t sure how to explain to her where she was going and what it was like, so this book really helped explain it. She tells me she even has dreams about hoping on her feathered suitcase and going to see Grammy. It made my heart so happy so I donated the same book to my mother in laws school in her honor Incase other kids want to know about heaven.

I bought this for my 4y/o granddaughter who had lots of questions about heaven after the loss of a grandfather & great-grandfather. She felt much better after we read this book together. The only thing I’m not sure I agree with is that it says all animals go to heaven (the Bible doesn’t specifically say that) & the amusement park. However, it was something that a 4 y/o could relate to, and it gave her a glimpse of how wonderful Heaven is.

I have been looking for a more visually accurate representation of heaven and the supernatural and the illustrations do capture at least the essence of it with the luminescence of angel Gabby and some bright emanations from heaven. You can't capture it perfectly in this life due to our limited comprehension and vernacular to explain supernatural revelations of heaven and the supernatural (revelations are increasing though) but at least there was a strong attempt from the illustrator to stir the viewers emotions as Joey explores heaven. I was in tears near the end of the book. A big 5 stars from me. This book is a very rare collection of artwork to convey what heaven is like from a personal perspective.

The message in this book is pretty horrible. On the first page and on subsequent pages, it is very clear that you have to believe in God to get into heaven. I was given this message as a child and it was incredibly upsetting to be told my atheist father wouldn't be going to heaven with my mother (who was Catholic and dying) and I. I would normally just return this and get my money back but it's such a revolting message that I put the book in the paper bin. There are much nicer books out there that deal with the afterlife, like The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, which I have subsequently bought. Even if you believe this message, you might want to consider if this is something you want to worry your child with at an early age. I personally think it's vile, but to each their own.

This book has helped me answer the questions my son had after his grandmother died. He can now look at her picture and be happy that she's in a better place.

My 3 years old son love this book.. Easy to explain about the Almighty God and about heaven. Simply love it