Rating: 
Summary: beautiful and inspired
Review: When my brother died suddenly 2 weeks ago, my sister pulled this book out of a closet of books. A former teacher, she had saved it for years and now I know why. It was so comforting and beautifully written, magnificent. Geared toward children, the book was powerfully moving for the adults gathered as well. We read it at my brother's funeral by request of friends and family. This book opened up a dialogue about the afterlife between people of all ages and beliefs. Unintimidating, masterfully written and awesomely illustrated.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: My best friend's 9 year old daughter died one week ago today with her father in a car accident. My friend read this book, which was one of her daughter's favorites, at her funeral service 2 days ago. She had all the children at the service come up and sit with her while she read it to them. It really helped my 5 year old son understand that although she is not coming back to our world, she is in a good place. Her death has been the hardest thing for us, even as adults, to understand. This book brought some peace and comfort in a very difficult time. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and the words are so poetic. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is suffering with the loss of a loved one. I am using it to teach my children about hope and loss.
Rating:
Summary: How to explain death to a child (or an adult!)
Review: Warren Hanson's book, The Next Place is one of the most profoundly moving and spiritually uplifting children's books;I have ever read as a educator or a parent. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for all children and adults whose lives have been touched by the death of someone they have loved. Buy this book, keep it on your shelf, and every once in a while,
sit down and re-read it. It will remind you of the joy of living and what it means to be a loving, caring human being.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful
Review: Three months ago, my cousin, Josh, died very suddenly. I am 17 years old and he was only 18, we were very close. Since that time, I have had a lot of trouble dealing with his death and trying to understand it. My aunt sent me a copy of this book for Easter and it made the realization of his death more peaceful for me. It helped me to see this experience as not only a very painful and terrible one, but one that will make me stronger and will teach me a lot. This book helped to ease the pain of no longer being able to see Josh and know how he's doing. It made me accept that he's in a better place now and that he's being taken care of. Most of all, it reminded me that although I won't see his face or hear his voice anymore, he'll always be with me and I will always be with him. I hope every person, young and old, who has experienced a death, whether through family or friends, will get a chance to read this book. While the pain they're dealing with can never fully be resolved, this book will definitely help to ease it,
Rating:
Summary: A Gift for the Grieving Soul
Review: My son died three weeks ago, and I was given this book on the day of his funeral. All I can say right now is that it was a gift of peace for my shattered soul. I read it every day, and I feel like my son is reasuring me that he is free and happy and with us still. Give this book to someone who is griefsticken. Maybe it will help them, too.
Rating:
Summary: I wept in the bookstore....
Review: I'm a librarian for an elementary school and have two daughters ages 6 and 5. I was looking through the children's books at the bookstore when I came across The Next Place. The illustrations are magical and the placing of the text is in perfect accordance with the artwork. It was near effortless reading as my eyes just skimmed through the lettering placed at such a "flow" as to become a part of the illustration itself. It serves its purpose well. The meaning behind the words literally spoke to my soul and I blinked back tears. I knew then I had to get it for my daughters. I hope they will read it to their children one day.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for Me
Review: This book was given to our family by a neighbor just after my brother-in-law died. It was a lovely gesture, and I am glad that so many people have been comforted by this book, but I must say that I found it trite and uninspiring. The poetry is poor, and the illustrations would rate as mediocre in children's book. The substance of the book is new-agey and shallow. For our grieving family, getting this book was like being handed a red balloon and being told that now everything would be okey dokey--it trivialized our experience. Please consider the sophistication of the recipient, as well as his or her belief in an afterlife, before giving this as a gift. It's not for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: This book is very comforting
Review: This book is helpful to anyone, child or adult, who experiences a loss. It looks at death from a perspective that is very comforting and I highly recommend it- plus, the illustrations are wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars Aren't Nearly Enough!
Review: Although the recommended age range for this book is 4 to 8, it's really for anyone, aged 4 months to 80 years, who has recently had a death of someone close to their heart. The images are soothing. The text is comforting. This book gives a non-religious-yet-spiritual view on where you go after you die. I always have several copies of this book on hand to give to anyone who has a death in their family. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: more for adults or very young children-under 5
Review: As a grandmother who lost her 13mo old granddaughter this past christmas due to an accident I found it comforting and understood the wording more for an adult. My 8yr old granddaughter wanted me to read it with her,so I did. There were a few things that she seemed dissapointed with and that was not bringing a favorite stuffed friend to the "next place" or not being able to see faces of the ones that are left behind. Her perception is that her sister sees her from the "next place" and that her sister has her favorite toy with her, comforting her.Other than that, I felt if I passed away I would want my family to read the book and know how I feel in the "next place"
| 
