Tell Me About Heaven

Tell Me About Heaven, by Randy Alcorn, is a positive and uplifting story about a 10-year-old boy who visits his grandpa for the first time after his grandma has died. Jake and his grandpa spend fun summer days hiking, picking berries, going to church, and reminiscing about Jake's grandma. Jake's grandpa answers lots of questions about Heaven and shows Jake how to find out more in the Bible.

The chapters begin by describing Jake's loss, and go on to discuss what the Bible says about the Garden of Eden and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Jake and his grandpa then imagine what life in Heaven might be like, based on the Scriptures.

The story is primarily an account of various conversations Jake and his grandpa have in different settings. It is a bit slow-moving, but includes lots of cute snapshots of Moses (their puppy), as well as descriptions of Jake and his grandpa engaged in everyday activities like star-gazing, making hot chocolate, and reading the Narnia books.

Tell Me About Heaven is vibrantly illustrated by Ron DiCianni. There are vivid, colorful paintings at the beginning of each chapter that add life to the story. Angels and children of all different races are shown, and Jesus' love is evident in His facial expressions. One of my favorite paintings shows angels carrying a joyful man home to Heaven.

What I Like: I love how positive Jake's grandpa is. Even though he misses his wife, he is thrilled to think of her in Heaven with Jesus. Hearing him describe Heaven makes us excited to go there as well. I also really like Jake. He is a sweet boy who has a lot of questions. He is a realistic mix of energy and sadness, and his relationship with his grandpa feels very genuine.

Randy Alcorn's depiction of Heaven is quite detailed, and I love the clear, thorough way he addresses even controversial issues. He rarely speaks in absolutes, but answers Jake's questions by saying, "I wouldn't be surprised." This is Jake's grandpa's response when Jake asks if pets will go to Heaven: "God's touched many people's lives through animals. God can do anything - it'd be simple for Him to recreate a pet in Heaven if He wants to." Alcorn takes a similar approach to Jake's questions about whether dinosaurs, computers, and cars may be in Heaven.

Alcorn does a good job explaining that people we love in Heaven may be able to see us sometimes, but that it's still important to pray only to Jesus.

The best part of the book is the way Alcorn always brings the discussion back to Jesus and His saving grace. There is even a beautiful Certificate of Commitment in the back of the book to commemorate a reader's salvation.

What I Dislike: Although this is a fabulous book, there is almost too much in every chapter. Because of the many theological issues Alcorn addresses, I found myself wanting to read the chapter myself before I read it aloud to my children. I did selectively edit a section in Chapter 1 and another section in Chapter 9 that talked about a 6-year-old dying and an 8-year-old dying of leukemia. Although Alcorn handled it very sensitively, my children haven't specifically dealt with children their age dying.

Alcorn has done a lengthy, fairly intellectual adult book called Heaven and a children's version called Heaven for Kids , which explain his theology, but I wish Tell Me About Heaven included endnotes or at least a list of Scripture references at the back.

The chapters are a bit long, with only one painting at the beginning of each chapter. The book reads more like a chapter book, even though it is a picture book.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 8-12

Publisher Info: Crossway Books, 2007; ISBN13: 978-1-58134-853-8; Hardcover, $19.99

Special Notes: Some of the paintings depict Jesus as both an infant and an adult, hugging people, rising from the dead, and walking with children and animals in Heaven.

Read our other reviews of Randy Alcorn's books.

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Mission Trip Impossible

Challenge your kids' idea of a mission trip by reading Mike Thaler's Mission Trip Impossible, another in the Thaler and Lee fun "Tales From the Back Pew" series.

This puny book is narrated by a young boy whose church is sending him on a mission trip. He's pretty nervous because he knows all about mission trips. "They search the world for the worst places they can find...the more dangerous the better." There are wild animals to eat you, poisonous plants and snakes to kill you, there's no tv, no roof, and no hot water. Sometimes when you bring the needy food,

"you wind up on the menu. Those folks are called cannibals because they can-nibble on you. They love to have missionaries over for dinner. It's called a potluck. You're in the pot, and you're out of luck."

Our narrator recalls what the apostle Paul went through on his mission trips: He was stoned, jailed, shipwrecked and bitten by a snake. Wouldn't it be easier to just send folks an email? Can't you go to Disneyland to tell people about Jesus?

Despite his concerns, our narrator willingly goes on the mission trip. He tells us Jesus has really changed his life, and he wants Jesus to change other people's lives, too. So early one morning he gets on the church bus...but they only drive for twenty minutes. They don't end up in the jungle or dessert; they go to a place with regular houses and a "Pizza Mut." They get together with some other kids and sing songs, do a puppet show, and hand out toys. Following Mark 16:15 ("Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.") is really cool.

What I Like: Mike Thaler and Jared Lee are a genius team. This book, like the others in the series, is fun and creative. Thaler gives us lots to giggle at, while still driving home an important message. Lee's sketchy drawings, full of bubbles allowing characters to speak outside the main text of the book, are wacky, too. I especially appreciate that Thaler has the narrator admit he's afraid of traveling all over the world to tell people about Jesus, but that he'll do it anyway. Too, the idea that we should include mission trips close to home is a welcome one.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 to 8.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 0310715903; paperback, $4.99

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OR buy all four books in this "Tales From the Back Pew" series for $14.99.

Special Info: Read our other reviews of books by Thaler and Lee. Visit Mike Thaler's website for Q&A's and author visit information; visit Jared Lee's website for samples of his illustrations and free activities and teaching ideas.

Peril and Peace

For an introduction to early Christian church history, it's tough to imagine a more compelling book than Peril and Peace, volume one in "History Lives: Chronicles of the Ancient Church" by Mindy and Brandon Withrow. It is a surprisingly good page-turner.

The Withrows combine great knowledge of history with the novelists art, making this volume a fun read even for kids who normally think history is boring. Nearly every chapter is a novelized snippet of early Christian life, covering such important Christians as Paul (Saul), Polycarp, Justin, Origen, Cyprian, Constantine, Athanasius, Cappadocians, Ambrose, Augustine, John Chrysostom, Jerome, Patrick, and Benedict. Full of action, dialogue, and interesting details, these chapters make me wish I was reading an entire historical novel about each individual, rather than only a single chapter about them.

Modern Christians will have a tough time not scrutinizing their own lives after reading about the trials of many of these early Christians, who often preferred to die in the name of the Lord rather than run from their persecutors. This is no dry rendering, full of dates about when the early church began doing this or that. This book focuses on famous martyrs and church formers and what life was like for them.

We can also see some problems never change. For example, it's nothing new for the government to find Christianity a threat, and it's an ancient trend for those who encourage others to focus on God and his Word, rather than worldly pleasures, to find popularity passes them by.

There are also a few nonfiction chapters interspersed throughout, introducing readers to life in the early church, how we got the Bible as it reads today, and very general information on how early Christians worshiped. In the back of the book, there's also a map of early Christendom, plus a bibliography of sources.

What I Like: Nearly everything. This book is a superb way to introduce reluctant students to history, and of making ancient church history come to life. Kids who are already interested in history will also find this a fascinating and moving introduction to early Christianity. The authors are highly skilled; even adults will find this book a page turner.

Too, the authors carefully stay away from subjects that might cause disputes between Catholics and Protestants, which is a good thing, I think, for an introduction into the subject of early Christendom.

Peril and Peace also sells for an excellent price, considering it's over 227 pages long.

What I Dislike: The first chapter made my eyes glaze over. And I like history. But once you're past that first background-supplying chapter, I think you'll find everything else excellent.

That said, there isn't a lot of information in this particular book about how the Christian church formed after Christ's death. How did they develop early church practices, like gathering on Sunday instead of the Jewish Saturday Sabbath? We never learn. Also note that this is a history - not a defense of - the early church. Actually, it's more a glimpse into the life of the Christians who shaped the Christian church.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 9 to 12, but some slightly younger children will enjoy the novelized chapters read to them, and teenagers and adults can fully enjoy this book, too.

Publisher Info: Christian Focus Publications, 2006; ISBN: 1845500822; paperback, $8.99

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Jake Helps Out

Crystal Bowman's Jake Helps Out is an ideal book for young kids who find their attempts at helping often end in a big mess.

In this stage 2 "I Can Read!" book, a cute young rabbit named Jake anxiously waits for his parents to finish chores so the whole family can go to the lake. Attempting to be useful, Jake helps his little sister get her cereal - and spills milk all over the table. He tries to wash the dishes - but breaks a plate. He helps pack the picnic basket - but spills sticky, smelly pickle juice all over it. "I'm sorry," Jake says. "I just wanted to help." As his parents calmly clean up after him, his mother replies, "We don't need your help right now."

Feeling useless, Jake mopes in his room. Then his sister asks him to read to her. They read several books before their parents announce it's time to go to the lake. Once on sunny shores, Jake makes a sand castle with his sister, then teaches her how to float in the water. When everyone sits down for lunch, Mother tells Jake what a big help he is. Jake protests, recounting his series of messes that morning. His parents tell him everyone has accidents, and that Jake was, indeed, very helpful when he read to his little sister, taught her to make a sand castle, and taught her how to float.

"You are important to our family," Mother says. "God made you a big helper," Father says. Jake is happy God made him a helper and that his family needs him.

Throughout, Karen Maizel's illustrations are both cute and illuminating. My nearly-four year old loves this character and his foibles, which are nicely expressed by Maizel.

What I Like: Jake is a character all young children can relate to, and Bowman and Maizel do a great job dealing with a topic that really does impact children's self esteem: Chores and being helpers.

What I Dislike: Nothing. Some parents may feel the Christian content in this book is thin; this is true with many of Zonderkidz's "I Can Read!" books. However, if you approach the book as something with good, wholesome content that doesn't exclude God from life, I think this book is an excellent addition to any young reader's library.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 to 8, but this also makes a great read-to book for toddlers and preschoolers.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2007; ISBN: 0310714575; paperback, $3.99

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Special Info: Read our other reviews of Crystal Bowman's books.

God Loves His Precious Children: Safe in the Arms of the Good Shepherd

Although they each have written several books on their own, husband and wife Jim and Elizabeth George, teamed up to write God Loves His Precious Children: Safe in the Arms of the Good Shepherd. This book offers a fresh perspective on Psalms 23, known as “The Shepherd Psalm.” The text for the book centers on the theme of the good shepherd, using verses from the psalm. Written in rhyme, each two-page spread highlights a different verse or a different line in the psalm. The Bible verse that relates to the text is also given. For instance, the book begins:

Every child needs someone, a person who cares,
God is that Someone, the Bible declares.
I don’t have to worry, I need never fear;
The Lord is my Shepherd – He’s always right here!

This text relates to Psalm 23:1A: “The Lord is my Shepherd,” which is the beginning line of the psalm. Subsequent lines are used throughout the book, and the last section relates to the last line of the psalm: “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6B).

There is a letter to the reader at the beginning of the book, explaining the importance and significance of the text. A section at the end of the book called “Words to know,” gives meanings to some of the words used throughout the text, such as “precious,” “loyal,” and “forevermore.”

All the illustrations, by Judy Luenebrink, have something do to with sheep. The watercolor paintings are colorful and very realistic and add much to the text.

What I Like: I like the way this much-quoted verse is depicted in both words and illustrations. As you probably know, I’m not a big fan of rhyming picture books. However, for the most part, the rhyme scheme in this one works very well. There are only a couple of places where the words don’t really rhyme.

What I Dislike: I think the layout of the book is a bit boring. Although the illustrations are truly delightful, and the writing is very good, each two-page spread is set up the same way: The illustration covers the entire two pages. On each two-page spread there is a rectangular section in the top right-hand corner of the left page where the text is written on a plain white background. This works well for most of the book, but I think it would have been better if some of the pages had the text placed in a different spot – just for a change of pace.

Overall Rating: The overall rating is still very good.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Publisher Info: Harvest House Publishers, 2004; ISBN: 0736911375; Hardback, $16.00.

Buy it now at Amazon.com for $13.71.

Special Info: Read our reviews of other books by this author/illustrator team. Visit Jim’s website. Visit Elizabeth’s website. Visit the illustrator’s website.