Jamie has seen the ceramic jar on his mother's living room shelf for as long as he can remember. But today he will learn that behind the jar is a very special letter from a sister he has never met. He'll also learn that the roses that his mother and grandmother sometimes place around the jar have a unique meaning.
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Steve Butler, the author of A Letter from Heaven, has presented the story in a way that will appeal to children; Bobby reads a letter from his sister Alexandra who is in heaven. It is a child talking to a child about her birth, death, love, and the miracle of roses. It provides comfort and satisfies the inquisitive minds of young readers without exposing them to too much too fast. Even the subject of the ashes in the ceramic jar, a difficult subject to bring up to young children, is handled with much skill. The ashes are addressed, but the emphasis is on the important part of Alexandra--that part of her who lives in heaven with God. The author also reinforces how much the living child is loved by his parents, grandparents...and his sibling in Heaven. In reading this book, I found myself remembering a time in my life many years ago when I suffered multiple miscarriages. For some reason I always found it difficult to talk with my son and daughter, who were born years afterward, about their siblings, now living with God. Mostly, I would remind them that these babies are very much alive in Heaven, even though they did not take a breath on earth. I wish this book had been available to me at that time. I personally feel A Letter from Heaven is a wonderful and much-needed resource for helping parents and health professionals talk with children and explain the loss of a baby sibling who was born before them. It is an issue that has been very much neglected by the book industry. I highly recommend this book and believe that it should be in libraries across the country. --Bettie Corbin Tucker; bookreviewers.org
It can be challenging for a parent or guardian to help their child understand and cope with the loss of a loved one, particularly a sibling. There are many books that deal with children's issues when coping with the death of a family member. In his children's story, A Letter From Heaven, author Steve Butler addresses a rarely talked about issue regarding the questions and feelings children have when they discover that their parents had a previous child who died. Jamie is a young boy full of curiosity and questions. His inquisitiveness about a ceramic jar sitting on a shelf causes him to constantly question his mother about it. For a long time, his mother was quick to give a simple answer that satisfied him. As time passes, he becomes even more curious. His mother finally sits him down and retrieves a letter from the jar. She reads the letter and Jamie discovers that it is written to him from his sister who died shortly after being born. A Letter From Heaven is a poignant and heartfelt story that explains what happened to Jamie's sister before he was born. Within the letter, such themes as family, love, peace, life after death, and the connection with nature in terms of birth, death, and rebirth, are raised. The story is beautifully crafted to help children understand and cope with death. It is very positive and written with great care, emphasizing the grieving process that includes acceptance. With beautiful illustrations enhancing the story, A Letter From Heaven, is a very tender and uplifting story. It is highly recommended as an aid for parents, therapists, and educators, to help children through the grieving process when discovering the unexpected loss of a baby through either a miscarriage, still born, or sudden infant death. The book is a must have for every library. --Tracy Roberts; Write Field Services
It can be challenging for a parent or guardian to help their child understand and cope with the loss of a loved one, particularly a sibling. There are many books that deal with children's issues when coping with the death of a family member. In his children's story, A Letter From Heaven, author Steve Butler addresses a rarely talked about issue regarding the questions and feelings children have when they discover that their parents had a previous child who died. Jamie is a young boy full of curiosity and questions. His inquisitiveness about a ceramic jar sitting on a shelf causes him to constantly question his mother about it. For a long time, his mother was quick to give a simple answer that satisfied him. As time passes, he becomes even more curious. His mother finally sits him down and retrieves a letter from the jar. She reads the letter and Jamie discovers that it is written to him from his sister who died shortly after being born. A Letter From Heaven is a poignant and heartfelt story that explains what happened to Jamie's sister before he was born. Within the letter, such themes as family, love, peace, life after death, and the connection with nature in terms of birth, death, and rebirth, are raised. The story is beautifully crafted to help children understand and cope with death. It is very positive and written with great care, emphasizing the grieving process that includes acceptance. With beautiful illustrations enhancing the story, A Letter From Heaven, is a very tender and uplifting story. It is highly recommended as an aid for parents, therapists, and educators, to help children through the grieving process when discovering the unexpected loss of a baby through either a miscarriage, still born, or sudden infant death. The book is a must have for every library. --Tracy Roberts; Write Field Services
About the Author
Steve Butler is a chaplain at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir, North Carolina. Steve is a native of Chicago and has also served as a college chaplain in Wisconsin and Ohio. Steve is an Associate Chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains and is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. He and his wife have 3 grown children and 2 living grandchildren. Steve has also written, "We Are Known As Christ's Disciples", a Christian Education resource for children in grades 1-3, published through the curriculum series, "Discipleship Alive!" and also a family history.
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More About the Author
Steve Butler is chaplain at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir, NC. Steve is a native of Chicago and has been a campus minister in Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin. He is also a former college soccer coach and grandfather to Jamie, Raelin, Meagan, and Logan in addition to Alexandra. Steve loves golf and working on his family tree. Learn more about Steve at www.alexandrasrose.net
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Letter From Heaven Can Make a Difference,
By
This review is from: A Letter From Heaven (Paperback)
Steve Butler, the author of A Letter from Heaven, has presented the story in a way that will appeal to children; Bobby reads a letter from his sister Alexandra who is in heaven. It is a child talking to a child about her birth, death, love, and the miracle of roses. It provides comfort and satisfies the inquisitive minds of young readers without exposing them to too much too fast. Even the subject of the ashes in the ceramic jar, a difficult subject to bring up to young children, is handled with much skill. The ashes are addressed, but the emphasis is on the important part of Alexandra--that part of her who lives in heaven with God. The author also reinforces how much the living child is loved by his parents, grandparents...and his sibling in Heaven.
In reading this book, I found myself remembering a time in my life many years ago when I suffered multiple miscarriages. For some reason I always found it difficult to talk with my son and daughter, who were born years afterward, about their siblings, now living with God. Mostly, I would remind them that these babies are very much alive in Heaven, even though they did not take a breath on earth. I wish this book had been available to me at that time. I personally feel A Letter from Heaven is a wonderful and much-needed resource for helping parents and health professionals talk with children and explain the loss of a baby sibling who was born before them. It is an issue that has been very much neglected by the book industry. I highly recommend this book and believe that it should be in libraries across the country.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Letter From Heaven,
By Tracy Roberts (Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Letter From Heaven (Paperback)
It can be challenging for a parent or guardian to help their child understand and cope with the loss of a loved one, particularly a sibling. There are many books that deal with children's issues when coping with the death of a family member. In his children's story, A Letter From Heaven, author Steve Butler addresses a rarely talked about issue regarding the questions and feelings children have when they discover that their parents had a previous child who died.
Jamie is a young boy full of curiosity and questions. His inquisitiveness about a ceramic jar sitting on a shelf causes him to constantly question his mother about it. For a long time, his mother was quick to give a simple answer that satisfied him. As time passes, he becomes even more curious. His mother finally sits him down and retrieves a letter from the jar. She reads the letter and Jamie discovers that it is written to him from his sister who died shortly after being born. A Letter From Heaven is a poignant and heartfelt story that explains what happened to Jamie's sister before he was born. Within the letter, such themes as family, love, peace, life after death, and the connection with nature in terms of birth, death, and rebirth, are raised. The story is beautifully crafted to help children understand and cope with death. It is very positive and written with great care, emphasizing the grieving process that includes acceptance. With beautiful illustrations enhancing the story, A Letter From Heaven, is a very tender and uplifting story. It is highly recommended as an aid for parents, therapists, and educators, to help children through the grieving process when discovering the unexpected loss of a baby through either a miscarriage, still born, or sudden infant death. The book is a must have for every library. Tracy Roberts, Write Field Services
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Children's book about the sensitive issue of a sibling's death,
By
This review is from: A Letter From Heaven (Paperback)
A Letter From Heaven, written by Steve Butler, addresses the sensitive issue of a child's death.
In this case, Jamie's older sister, Alexandra, died at birth. Her ashes are kept on the mantle in a special vase. When Jamie is very small he asks, "What's that?" The answer given is, "That's Alexandra." This answer suffices until Jamie gets older. Then he wants to know, "Who is Alexandra?" At that point, Jamie's mom goes over to the mantle, reaches behind the vase, and pulls out a letter. The letter is supposed to be from Alexandra, and it is addressed to Jamie. In the letter, Alexandra explains to Jamie what happened to her. She talks about her birth, her death and going to heaven (as well as other things). The watercolor illustrations by Vaun Healey look like something a child would do. I'm not sure if that effect was intended. What I Like: This book tackles a difficult subject, and as one reviewer put it, the author addressed "a rarely talked about issue regarding the questions and feelings children have when they discover that their parents had a previous child who died." That's a good thing. What I Dislike: There just seems to be something missing from the story. After the letter is read to Jamie (and it's a good letter), there is no discussion between mother and son about the sister Jamie never knew. I think the story would have been stronger if it had more closure. Also, I noticed a couple of layout issues with the print of the text. They aren't major issues, but they were somewhat distracting. Overall Rating: Good. Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review
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