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Summary: PEACEFUL AT LAST
Review: I WAS SO ATTRACTED BY THE BOOK'S COVER THAT I OPENED THE BOOK AND BEGAN TO READ IT. (I HAD BEEN AGONIZING OVER MY FATHER'S ILLNESS AND KNEW IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I WOULD BE FACED WITH HIS DEATH.) AS I CONTINUED TO READ "THE NEXT PLACE" WHILE STANDING IN THE BOOKSTORE, I BEGAN TO FEEL PEACE I HAD THOUGHT WOULD NEVER RETURN. EACH PAGE WAS SO BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED AND EACH PHRASE SO COMFORTING. I BOUGHT THE BOOK. I READ IT TO MY FAMILY AS WE WERE GATHERED AROUND MY FATHER'S BED, JUST MINUTES AFTER HIS DEATH. I ALSO READ IT DURING HIS FUNERAL MASS. IT SAID ALL THAT NEEDED SAYING BECAUSE DAD WAS, AT LAST, "PERFECT". I HAVE SENT "THE NEXT PLACE", IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES. THE REACTION IS ALWAYS HUGS, TEARS AND GRATITUDE.
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Summary: A Wonderful Book!
Review: This book is absoultly wonderful! My teacher actually gave me this book when I lost a friend of mine, and any time i feel sad or alone, i read it and it lifts my spirits. Recently a friend of mine lost her husband, and I sent her this book, and i think it had the same effect on her as it did me. It is just all around a wonderful book
Rating:
Summary: This is a beautiful and peaceful presentation of death.
Review: The comforting words in this book presents a kind and wonderfulimage of death; reinforcing that our relationship with the person hasnot ended. As a first grade teacher I read it to my class to ease the consuming concern one of my little girls has had about a young uncle who died suddenly from a heart attack. She told me twice that day that she feels better now. This book integrates comforting script with such beautiful illustrations and use of color and design that all I've shown it to are moved.
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Summary: A book that is a gift from God
Review: I came across this book when part of it was read out at a funeral I was taking. Later the daughter of the deceased gave me a copy. Since then I have used words from it at other funerals (by request) and recently gave a copy to a lady who was dying and her husband. Her husband has since asked for me to read part of it at her service. The vocabulary is simple and the pictures are stunning. The concepts and images they release in the mind are complex beyond other words. I don't know if the author has written from a specifically Christian viewpoint but I do know that this specifically Christian priest has no hesitation in recommending it as a genuine gift from God.
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Summary: This is a powerful message for all ages.
Review: This is a book that can be understood at any age. It's simplicity adds to the beauty of the message. It was no doubt inspired. Everyone should read this book.
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Summary: Wonderful book that brings peace &comfort to grieving souls
Review: In May of this year(1999) my son was killed by a drunk driver. On my birthday resently I was very sad that Ryan would not be there. At a party given in my honor my sister in law gave me this book and said that maybe it would comfort me and she was right. I felt like my son would be telling me these things if he could. The author and illustrator seemed to be able to reach me and tell me what I needed to hear at that moment and time. Best book I have ever read (adult or children.
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Summary: A beautiful depiction of peace in death.
Review: As a hospice social worker, I researched multiple children's books to find the most appropriate offering of peace in dying to the pediatric patients I served as well as their parents. I found this beautiful book and shared it not only with my pediatric patients, but my adult patients as well. I frequently read my own copy for peace and reassurance.
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Summary: A beautiful description of life after life.
Review: This book came into the lives of my children at a very important time in their development. When, "you go to heaven when you die" just wasn't enough. It offered a noninvasive, yet satisfactory and poetic explaination of "what will happen to me mom when I die". It has quelled a fear my daughter (and I) has been haunted by for the past year, like no religious based book or pamphlet for kids seemed to be able to do. All that aside. It is simply beautiful. A must for any human still enhabiting the earth!
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Summary: This is a wonderful and soothing book about death.
Review: This book is one of the best, if not the best, on the `subject' of death and an afterlife. I often give this title to individuals who have lost close family members, and/or those who are not sure of what comes after death. I have always been told that this book brought them peace of mind and comfort. I would highly recommend this title to any age.
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Summary: This gentle book will sooth hurt hearts
Review: The Next Place was read to me during a yoga session, during the time where you focus on being good to yourself. It is a healing, caring, gentle journey through the difficult transitions of life. It speaks to both children and adults -- and if you have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with a death recently, this book will open your eyes and heart to the sweet nature of human relationships and reinforce the concept of feeling loved forever.
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