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!

This is not a theological book. Although, two of the reviewers speak as if it should be one. It is a children's book. Yet, it is filled with theology. It teaches about the subject. It is a tool. Let me give an example. At a recent funeral, there were two great grand daughters who came, 4 and 5 years old. It was a surprise. They were not at the wake. What do parents tell their children to prepare them for such an event? Basically, "Nana, or in this case Great Nana, has gone to heaven." Incredibly, children grasp this more than we would expect. I have seen this over and over.

The gospel reading for the Funeral was a very familiar one: "Jesus said to his disciples: 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.' Thomas said to him, 'Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:1-6).

Referring to this, and that the Apostle Thomas admitted that they did not know they way to heaven, it was very easy to ask these children if "they knew the way?" Of course, they did not. But believing that their Nana was there, the next logical question was, "Would you like to know the way to where Nana is?" They immediately said you-know-what, "Yes!" The next step was to pull out Anthony DeStefano's book and show them this could explain some of it. First of all, they were taken in by some of the pictures. This accomplished a general goal that DeStefano had when writing the adult version of the book [[ASIN:0385509898 A Travel Guide to Heaven]], make it seem "attractive!"

In the Introduction (or what he calls the "Flight Plan"), Anthony DeStefano tell us that the idea of writing this came to him because of the distorted image people have of heaven. He says, although "the general public believes in heaven, not many people seem bubbling over with excitement about it." Many people seem "not to be thinking about it at all." Or, their ideas have become "stale." He also speaks of having attended fifteen funerals in seven months due to the sad circumstances of "9-11." In the midst of all the sadness and grief, the words preached, he felt, "did not resonate with the mourners who heard them." Basically, he is saying, "Heaven has not been made very attractive to us." This is not far-fetched. Listen to the words of Pope Benedict from his Encyclical, [[ASIN:1586172514 Saved in Hope: Spe Salvi]], speaking about the same subject. He says: "Faith is the substance of hope. But then the question arises: do we really want this--to live eternally? Perhaps many people reject the faith today simply because they do not find the prospect of eternal life attractive. What they desire is not eternal life at all, but this present life, for which faith in eternal life seems something of an impediment. To continue living for ever--endlessly--appears more like a curse than a gift. Death, admittedly, one would wish to postpone for as long as possible. But to live always, without end--this, all things considered, can only be monotonous and ultimately unbearable."

Let's be realistic! Sometimes, it is the Scriptures that need to be helped along. Saint Paul tells us in his Letter to the Ephesians, that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Yes, this is inspired Scripture, but still we have to ask: "Is that all Jesus is doing there?" Or, "Right hand?--the Father does not have a body!" You see what I'm saying? You see, the readings, by themselves, did not present enough information about heaven itself. We need something that the we can latch onto. We learn best by analogy. DeStefano provides us with something: "Do you want to understand heaven better than you have in your entire life? Do you want to have a true experience of heaven, right this second? You can without reading another chapter. Simply try this experiment: Take the page you're reading and crinkle the corner. Now listen to the sound it makes. Then grab the chair you're sitting on with your hand and squeeze. Feel how hard it is. Then take a deep breath and let your lungs fill with air. Smell the odors or the room you're sitting in. Finally, look around and see all the various shapes and colors of the objects that are before you."

He continues: "I'll tell you a secret: heaven is going to be like that. Heaven is physical."

He clarifies, "Don't misunderstand me. That's not all heaven is. Heaven is radically, amazingly, incredibly different from the room you're sitting in. If it weren't, it would hardly be worth the trip. But we have to start with the basics. Before we discuss all the exciting and transcendent spiritual aspects of the place, we need to get straight, once and for all, this fundamental truth: Heaven is, at its core, not only spiritual, but material as well."

He is right! We speak about it too little! Even though we know that we will share in the Resurrection, we forget that we will have our bodies once again. We will recognize each other. We will continue with the relationships that we began here on earth, plus much more! We will enjoy ourselves! Not only will we be with God, we will be with each other--for all eternity! If we can experience the joy and happiness of family and friends here, what about being able to share in this forever, with no pain, no sickness, no difficulties, no death--nothing at all to worry about--ever! Since we will have our bodies, we will be in a place (although we cannot describe all the characteristics of all of it right now). If we can get attached to this place here on earth, we will have no trouble there. It will not disappoint us in any way, no matter what we have been used to having here.

That's the value of DeStefano's book. He allows us or forces us to think outside the box. It makes heaven a place we can long for and get excited about. Very imaginatively, he creates a sparkling picture of the place we call heaven and what life can be there--our life after death. Here, in the "Kids" version, he does it with pictures. I recently saw the movie [[ASIN:0849922070 Heaven is for Real Movie Edition: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back]]. I was disappointed! Basically, all we were shown about heaven is "clouds." That's one of the things that DeStefano argued in the adult version is so unattractive. Who wants to sit on clouds and play harps? And so, DeStefano does more! He adds things that the imagination can peer into and form attractive images in both versions. Don't just take my word for it. Look at what some of the big reviews say. For EWTN lovers, Raymond Arroyo says, "Here is an airy, whimsical tour of the great beyond with some very serious points of interest along the way. What a trip!" And, Regis Philbin, "This will be the best trip you ever took!" Check it out!

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.

I purchased this book because I am in the middle of a series about Heaven for my K-3rd graders in Sunday School. I explained to the kids that this is someone's imagining of what Heaven will be like. When that perspective is given the book is great. There is biblical basis for almost everything and the kids LOVED it. I highly recommend this book.

My son had it and asked me to read it to my granddaughter. It is a beautiful book from the writing to the pictures. I read the book to her, and halfway through I had tears in my eyes. One would only hope that heaven is exactly as this book explains it. It would make a lovely gift for any child.

My 4 year old asks lots of questions about pretty much everything. My daughter really loves this book. If you are hardcore wanting them to only know biblical descriptions then stick with the Bible. This is good for little minds and kept her attention.

This is not a theological explanation of Heaven. It helps children picture the fun things of life and on a human level understand that Heaven is a place of joy and safety (flying around w/ your suitcase).

The art work is the best part. This is for very young children and it did much to assuage the worries of my youngest grandson.

Great book! Even I (32 years young) loved it!

Any book we can use as a tool to keep our children's focus on Jesus and his kingdom is valuable. Perfect for our children ages 3-10! Love it! We need more books on Heaven out there....