Heaven [Hardcover]

Nicholas Allan (Author)

Book Description

When her beloved dog, Dill, packs his suitcase and announces he is going to heaven, Lily waits with him for the angels to take him away, and the pair get into a furious argument about what heaven is really like.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although the "D" word is never mentioned ("I'm being collected," Dill the dog tells his owner, Lily, as he packs his suitcase), death is indeed the subject of this quirky, small-format picture book. As in his Jesus' Christmas Party, Allan pairs a puckish text with warm pen-and-wash sketches softened by loose, cartoonlike lines. Dill and Lily, as the title suggests, discuss heaven: she sees it as a sort of candy-and-carnival free-for-all; for Dill, it's full of bones and lampposts and "whiffy things to smell on the ground." A pair of angels come to pick up Dill ("Time," says one), giving Lily and Dill one last chance to embrace. Lily's sense of loss is assuaged when she finds a stray pup; in a sweet twist, she treats him to a dog's version of heaven on earth, with Dill looking down from his cloudtop perch in approval. Allan's lighthearted approach to a subject usually treated with great somberness will likely provoke a wide range of responses, with some applauding his whimsy, others decrying his irreverence and still others questioning the story's emotional truth. What is certain, however, is that opinions about the book will be strong, whether positive or negative. All ages.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Most books about the death of a pet are solemn and carefully worded, but Allan (Jesus' Christmas Party, 1992, etc.) treats the subject in a decidedly different manner. A little girl who finds her dog, Dill, packing a suitcase asks where he is going. He tells her, ``Up there,'' meaning heaven. Dill--who has the supercilious demeanor of a British butler--and the girl trade imagined descriptions of heaven. She sees it as a place of self-indulgence with no consequences-- abundant candy, carnivals, no illness. The dog's heaven includes meaty bones to eat, plentiful lampposts, and piles and piles of ``whiffy things,'' e.g., bones and dog droppings (which are, unfortunately, illustrated). The two friends squabble while angel-dogs give them time to say goodbye; the inevitable sad moments that follow the banter feel superficial and cheap. When a stray puppy comes to live with the girl, she tries to give it a little heaven on earth, but readers may already have gone on to the more congenial version of paradise found in Cynthia Rylant's Dog Heaven (1995). (Picture book. 4-6) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0694008745
• ISBN-13: 978-0694008742
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,602,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heaven - lets you smile through your tears, October 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Heaven (Hardcover)

When my companion dog of 13 years died, my mother sent this book from England. Nicholas Allan's charming pictures and gentle story help ease the pain of losing a beloved pet.

Allan doesn't make death fun, or scary or even mysterious. One morning Lily find Dill packing to leave, and from the get-go it's clear she can't go along. But as with real death, the finality of parting is coupled with the hope that the loved one will somehow still be there, watching, caring and ultimately - waiting.

As Dill prepares his suitcase, Lily hears what he thinks Heaven will be like. And when she finally finds a new friend, she remembers Dill's words and puts them into practice.

This is a wonderful little book. One that still brings comfort and sweet memories, helps soothe the dull ache of loss and reinforces the belief that lessons learned lead to a better life.

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavenly, September 9, 2010

By 

J. Yee (Brooklyn, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Heaven (Paperback)

Many years ago I found the hardcover edition of this book in a supermarket and fell in love with it on the spot. I don't even have a dog, but the story is so cleverly written that you appreciate it for dealing with a delicate matter in such a simple, human way. So many emotions are dealt with in such a short span. It takes you through the grieving process and leaves you smiling. I bought it to add to my book collection, but then found myself giving it to a friend shortly after as a gift to help her and her family cope with the loss of their pet. Recently, I found myself in search of the book again for another friend who is grieving over the loss of their beloved pet. I only found the paperback version but I'm glad that it's still in print. Although I fell in love with the hardcover edition first, I have come to appreciate the paperback version more because of the difference in the page size, the illustrations and the cover image. I even bought a used hardcover edition to compare it with the new paperback edition. The new paperback edition has a greater impact due to the different layout. Not just for kids, this book will make a great gift item for those in mourning. The two families I gave the book to said that they loved it and it did help them to cope with their loss and with their grieving. I would also recommend that any pet stores and Veterinary offices keep this book handy to help with those who are or about to experience the loss of a pet. Or, buy it just to add to your book collection just because it's good.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The message is hidden, February 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Heaven (Hardcover)

I first read this book not too long after my elementary school principal died. I figured that the book was about death because of many of the details. And I was right!