The Next Place

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for a child grieving over the death of a loved one
Review: This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen to help a child cope with the loss of a loved one. It is beautiful not only in word, but in the stunning and creative images it contains. Adults reading it to a child will also benefit, as the words are powerful, and conducive to further sharing and discussion.

It can be used by any parent trying to respond to the inevitable child's question "What happens when you die?" whether or not a loved one has recently died. Simple, yet profound, lovely and comforting. (We've given more than a dozen to family and friends!)

Rating:
Summary: Great comfort to my child
Review: My father died recently and our minister recommended this book for my four year old son who has a lot of questions about his grandfather's death. My son loves it. I like it, too.

Rating:
Summary: A comforting exploration of what the "next place" will be.
Review: "The Next Place" moved me in intellectural and spiritual ways. It challenged me well to think beyond conventionally religious descriptions of the next world, and to accept the uncertainty of what happens to us after we die. Although its visuals and text compel the reader from one page to the next, the conceptions of the "next place" clearly made me think and contemplate my own visions, hopes and fears about death. I would recommend this book for anyone over the age of ten, or even for those younger than 10 who can deal with the concept of loss in more mature ways.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, comforting book for all ages
Review: I was moved by the beautiful illustrations and magical words. The message was wonderful, and no doubt divinely inspired. For me, "The Next Place" captures the essence of life after the Earth. It's a book for adults and children to cherish.

Rating:
Summary: A book for all ages
Review: The Next Place is a picture book for all ages. It is a gentle, hopeful, beautiful way to consider life after life. It is not a children's book, but can be used with children to discuss death and dying. I have given it as a treasured gift to friends who have lost a loved one. For all those times you can't find the right words to offer comfort, give The Next Place.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing and gorgeous
Review: We received a copy of this book from a very good friend after our older daughter died in 2003. Their daughter was friends with ours, and this book was apparently very useful in helping their daughter (who was 3 at the time) with some of her questions about where our daughter, her friend, went.
I read it often because it comforts me, when I'm struggling with missing my daughter.
I plan to start sharing it with my younger daughter, as she grows and starts to ask more questions.
I think that everyone who has lost a loved one needs this book, and I think it should be required reading for children when they start to have questions about death.

Rating:
Summary: Just What We Needed
Review: When my mother passed away suddenly, I was given so many poems and books and the last thing I wanted to do was READ. I tossed them all aside and one night my 3 year old daughter brought this book to me from the pile simply because she liked the pictures. This book was so uplifting and meaningful that I went and bought more copies and gave it to all of the members of my family that were grieving, young and old. Mr. Hanson's amazing writing ability gave me new light and a new outlook on what I thought was a horrible process. This book isn't about our grieving, it is about what happens next to the one we lost. My daughter is 8 now, we still read it when we need to be reassured of what is to come and where "Grandma is". She and I both, given our age differences, understand the depth on our own levels and I truly believe that this book is what carries me through the never ending process. Thank you Mr. Hanson for writing a book that doesn't deal with the "It's all about me"....it's nice to think about THEM and what's next.

Rating:
Summary: The Next Place By: Warren Hanson
Review: I discovered this book through my mother who was given it by a nun that she went to school with over 40 years ago. The nun was very poor, and out of the kindness of her heart she spent 20 dollars sending this to my mother for no reason.

My mother showed it to me, and I didn't pay it much attention when I looked at the cover. I eventually read a little bit and noticed how gifted the writer was. I thought "hey, the artwork is great and the poetry just as good" so I kept reading.

You could probably find the poetry on the internet, but please do yourself a favor and purchase the book. It's such a great painreliever. Everytime I have a bad day, I pick this up and give it a read through. I'm not religious myself, and don't really believe in any creator God, but this isn't biased towards any religion and its heart gives it all it needs.

Great for anyone. A child, a person on their deathbed, or an eighteen year old like myself who still wonders why.

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: Not for Me
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.