Growing Up in Heaven: The Eternal Connection Between Parent and Child [Hardcover]

James Van Praagh (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 24, 2011

“[JamesVan Praagh] has changed people’s lives, banished thefear of death, and brought grieving parents the solace of their dead children’spresence . . . It is impossible not to be moved.” —Newsweek

“Hereally is a healer. . . . He is the real thing.” —Shirley MacLaine

World-renownedpsychic James Van Praagh reveals the truth aboutchildren in the afterlife, verifying that their spirits remain enduringlyconnected to the world of the living even from the great hereafter. In GrowingUp in Heaven, the New York Times bestselling author of GhostsAmong Us and Unfinished Business offers a heartwarming, visionaryconfirmation of our deepest hopes and wishes for the children who have goneahead of us to their great reward.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“He helps a lot of people. He really is a healer. I think he’s basically on this earth right now at this time and place to heal. He is the real thing. I can’t tell you how many times he’s been right with me.” (Shirley MacLaine)

“An amazing book that may bring the comfort necessary to any grieving individual, especially a Parent, to lessen their pain, to comprehend that their now-dead loved one is really still with them, guiding them, loving them and sending them extra support from the Other Side.” (New Age Retailer)

From the Back Cover

In Growing Up in Heaven, New York Times bestselling author and world-famous medium James Van Praagh brings to light the amazing journey of children who have passed from earth to heaven. Growing Up in Heaven follows the path of a child’s soul—their time spent in heaven and their connection to the living.

In this, his most moving work, Van Praagh reveals the reality that love transcends the physical and material planes of this world. Growing Up in Heaven lifts our spirits with the knowledge that our departed ones will always be with us—an extraordinary gift for all of us who yearn to understand life on the other side.

Blessed with an exceptional gift, James Van Praagh has the ability to bridge the gap between this world and the next. Based on nearly thirty years of spirit communication, this renowned and beloved medium takes us on a powerful, eye-opening, and ultimately inspiring voyage. Filled with uplifting true stories and profound messages of love, this astounding look at heaven provides a remarkably detailed portrayal of the child’s soul as it moves from this world to the next. Our eyes and hearts open and we experience firsthand the unbreakable bond between parent and child, all the while glimpsing a vision of heaven.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; First Edition edition (May 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062024639
• ISBN-13: 978-0062024633
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James Van Praagh is the New York Times bestselling author of Unfinished Business, Ghosts Among Us, Talking to Heaven, Reaching to Heaven, Meditations, and Healing Grief, among others. He is considered a pioneer in the mediumship movement throughout the world and has been the voice of the Spirit World for over twenty-five years. He has read people from all walks of life and from all over the world. Some of his more known clients include various political heads of state, throughout the world, religious leaders and celebrities such as Cher, Shirley Maclaine, Goldie Hawn, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Loretta Lynn and many many more. He has brought through many well known personalities such as Rock Hudson, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Slim Pickins, Andrew Carnagie, Roy Orbison, Lucille Ball, Liberace, Johnny Carson, Princess Diana, Edgar Cayce, Ghandi, Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin among others. His messages have brought solace, peace, and spiritual insights to millions, changing their view of both life and death. James has also been a celebrated producer for CBS television network, creating several successful projects including: Living with the Dead, a mini-series based on his life, and a television movie, The Dead Will Tell. While in production, an unknown actress named Eva Longoria asked James if the pilot she just finished would be picked up for ABC. He looked at her and told her it would change her life forever. Desperate Housewives has done just that! Interestingly, it was when shooting one of CBS's most successful shows, Ghost Whisperer, which he developed and produced, which brought him and Eva back together again. His CBS show Ghost Whisperer, used to shoot in the studio next door to Desperate Housewives. While shooting Ghost Whisperer, he did readings for many of the network executives as well as the other show producers and completely shocked even the most hardened cynic among them. He has appeared on numerous television and radio shows including, Oprah, Larry King Live, 48 Hours, Unsolved Mysteries, Biography, The View, Coast to Coast, The Howard Stern Show and many more. His books have enjoyed international appeal, having been published in over 50 countries and translated in over 60 languages. He has a state of the art website, which was the very first website in history to discuss grief and loss on the internet over fifteen years ago and it still is active with users from around the world. Anyone and everyone are welcome to share their insights of life, death and the beyond. www.vanpraagh.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Explains the WHY and the WHERE---full of info on heaven for children, the soul's plan, etc. June 2, 2011

By Susan Schenck TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Growing Up in Heaven was a sheer delight to read (even for me, who has no children)! As in his other books, James provides case studies in which he describes a child who has crossed over in chilling detail and someone in the audience recognizes the person. Even the most skeptical are won over as insider secrets from the deceased are revealed.

Part One includes information on when a child crosses over: the purpose of the child's death, how to deal with it, how the death was agreed to and arranged even before the child was born ("soul pact") to be part of the parents' growth, and most interestingly, where the child goes after death. James explains that children rarely remain earthbound as spirits, having a lot less emotional baggage as an adult.

We learn (or are reminded of) all sorts of tidbits about the spirit world: there are many new colors; the spirit world for children includes sports, handicrafts, gardening, sailing, and games; spirits who have crossed attend schools--but unlike the ones on Earth, extreme attention and planning is given for the unique individual. "Subjects are designed to align perfectly with each soul's spiritual make-up, intellect, creative talents, interests, and needs." Spirit children also watch over loved ones remaining on Earth.

In short, we are given confirmation that there IS life after death, as well as assurance that this life is heavenly beyond our imaginations.

Part Two consists of info on the soul's make-up. This is not restricted to children, and it provides great assurance for any of us who have lost a loved one or are contemplating our own death.... We learn the definition of a soul, its personality, possible fragmentation after trauma, soul patterns, soul families, soul groups, soul mates, and soul levels (young souls, mature souls, old souls, and earth angels). Interestingly, James has found from his experience that people who die as children are almost always OLD souls (as are those with disabilities).

As in Part One, Part Two is interspersed with real-life case studies in which James interacts with children spirits in front of an audience. One of these stories sent chills down my spine: a woman doesn't have a baby till age 55 (with help from technology, of course). While carrying the baby in a doctor's office, a 12-year-old boy, complete stranger, stands up and salutes the baby, proclaiming, "He's here. He's come back. He's come back from the future to be with us!" Well, prior to that, the baby appeared to the mother in a vision, insisting on some foreign name. Later, the mom finds out that the name means, in an ancient language, "he who has returned."

Part Two also discusses issues such as abortion--it is not murder, because the soul knew beforehand that the mother was going to abort it, and it is just balancing some karma from having abandoning a baby herself. Suicide is also discussed, and rest assured, the soul is not in some hell or punishment for this act: It simply reincarnated prematurely without the proper preparation. We also learn about the Council of Elders, old wise spirits that help us plan our next life.

Part Three involves healing your life after the loss of a child. There are ways to communicate with the spirit of your child who has passed, such as meditation, dreams, clairalience and cold spots, writing "letters to heaven," and even automatic handwriting! The stages of grieving are also discussed.

This book is a treat and should be given to everyone who has lost a child, or for that matter, any loved one!

Susan Schenck, author of The Live Food Factor: The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & Planet
and
Beyond Broccoli, Creating a Biologically Balanced Diet When a Vegetarian Diet Doesn't Work Read more ›

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but it is more about what happens in the afterlife, reincarnation and life plan. May 31, 2011

By Sincerely Yours TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

If you are like me who reads all of James Van Praagh's publication and all new ones as they come out then you will not be disappointed with his new reveal. What Mr Van Praagh attempted to achieve in this edition is the concepts of 'life contract, soul group, life planning before the next reincarnation' and then interweaved are the readings of kids informing their parents that they are really okay, there is life after death, they still atttend school and it was part of their soul plan so that we can learn all about compassion and love. The concepts are told in very basic format that allows the reader to absorb the basics quickly without being overwhelmed, especially if this is the first time you have come across all these concepts. The book jumps around a little in trying to explain these critical concepts and also to give readings that supported these concepts. None-the-less, if you are a fan of Mr Van Praagh's books, this one does not disappoint in the teachings and hopefully it will lead you to more understanding on what the big picture really is!

Thankfully, Mr Van Praagh does mention on quiet a few occasions, the work of Mr Michael Newton, whose work is very much the cornerstone of this book. Mr NEw ton has written many books on such matter, Soul journey and Soul Destiny are the two infamous books that I would highly recommend to read as both provide granular details and then to top it, please read "Your soul's plan" by Robert Schwartz.... By the end, these three authors will pretty much conclude that we are here to learn a few things through the diversity of difficulties that human life presents itself; and that we will come back again and again until we ascend to the next level and free will is all about chosing to learn in this life time instead of postponing it until the next one! I always knew that people with extraordinary illnesses or being gay are advanced souls, and these three authors pretty much spell that out: I am in awe that these suouls choose to challenge themselves as well as us. May I learn to be compassionate at all time, however difficult it is! Read more ›

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great comfort and well done, as usual May 31, 2011

By Deborah E. Ehling

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a James Van Praagh (JVP) fan. His other books, especially "Unfinished Business" and "Ghosts Among Us" are fast reads and very comforting for anyone who has "lost" someone that they love. This book is just as good and is long overdue! Speaking as a parent, I cannot imagine the pain and grief that people must bear due to the loss of a child. Speaking as a medical professional, there is little comfort I can provide to a parent who has just lost a child. I have often hoped, when watching James work (weave his loving magic is more accurate) that he will focus in on people who have lost children, because they are in need of any help, hope and comfort they can get. If you have lost a child (my heart goes out to you) or just know someone who has lost a child, this book is invaluable. I thank James for writing it and I am giving it as a gift to people I know who can benefit from it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book May 31, 2011

By Suzi

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved this book. I work in hospice and it answered some questions that I had. We are so afraid of death, but by reading this book you realize that the after life is really where we belong and where we will be in peace. This is a wonderful book for those parents and grandparents who have lost a child - it will show them that these beautiful children are happy, with their loved ones who have gone on and they don't want the parents to suffer so much.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Growing up in Heaven June 1, 2011

By victorianyankee

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a wonderful book. I never lost a child but lost a husband and brother. James you have showed me the other side. This book will help you heal from loss. We all have an Eternal connection.It allows us to peek back into a world we all know very well. I did find "Children's Activities" very interesting. I know all my pets who have past on over the years are well taken care of. I have learned to reach out to my soul guides now. Can't wait for your next book. Till we all meet again!