What's Heaven? [Hardcover]

Maria Shriver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1999

Written by Maria Shriver. Illustrated by Sndra Speidel. Distributed by St. Martin's Press. "What should parents say when a loved one dies?...Heaven is a difficult subject that always comes up at tough times, and Maria Shriver has written a very special book precisely for these stressful moments." (Partial quote from introduction.)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Golden Books; First Printing edition (February 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307440435
• ISBN-13: 978-0307440433
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for the recommended age group, May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: What's Heaven? (Hardcover)

The author's name drew my attention to the book, but was not why I bought the book. Professionally (school psychology and christian education), I felt the book spoke to children. It takes seriously the questions they ask. It explains things in terms that make sense to them. The author tried to expand the understanding of death and heaven beyond her Roman Catholic background. I think she was mostly successful; at least the book opens room for discussion. This is not a theological text, but a simple book explaining a child's questions about death. I bought the book for my granddaughter two days before her great-grandfather died. Her Mother read it to her as they sat in the Memorial Garden right after the inurnment. They sat and talked and cried. They both liked the book. But the real proof is the fact that later that afternoon when all the family was around, my granddaughter was found sitting quietly in a corner reading the book again to herself.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A god-sent book for children experiencing death, October 21, 2000

By 

ttrahan (louisiana,United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's Heaven? (Hardcover)

I heard about this book from a friend after my husband passed away suddently. My seven year old daughter was helped tremendously by this book. She has had this book read to her time and time again. Whenever she is feeling sad or confused about her farther's death, she pulls the book out and ask for someone to read it to her. This book has meant alot to her and is written on a level for young children to understand a difficult topic. I highly suggest that this book be purchased for children coping with the death of a loved one.

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle introduction to the rituals of death., July 20, 2002

By 

Julie Lovisa (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What's Heaven? (Hardcover)

This little book will do much to help a child begin to understand the enormity of death. The point of it is not to argue whether there is a Heaven and whether everyone will go there, but to create a safe haven for children to ask questions and receive a little comfort. I used this book to help explain to my 3-year old about my dad's death and used it simply as a tool, skipping over parts I thought she wouldn't understand and expanding on the ones I thought she would. She has come through with the understanding that grandpa is in Heaven (and who is going to explain the complexities of the ideas Heaven and Hell to a 3-year old and frighten them in the process??) and that she will always have her memories of him in her heart to help keep him alive. It also explains that it's OK to be sad and cry if it helps you to feel better about your loss. My daughter has been comforted by that and that's all that matters. This is a childrens' book, after all, geared toward childrens' understandings...not a theological debate.