Customer Reviews

Next Place, The

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Beautifully illustrated, the book captures one's imagination; one way of explaining immortality. A meaningful way for a grandparent to connect with a grandchild when discussing spirituality. The book can be used as a way to introduce the natural phenomena of what is beyond our earth in the expanding universe.

LOIS HAYES

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.

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.

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.

While in hospice, my dying uncle asked us to read this book. It is a beautifully written book that can be used for kids and adults. A nice gift for someone who will lose or has lost someone. I know have something to remember my uncle by.

...but not the right book if your child has specific questions. This is a lovely book that gives a very positive feeling about death but it went right over my pre-schooler's head and didn't answer the questions he had. Maybe it's more appropriate for school-aged children. The adults in our family all enjoyed reading it!

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.

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.

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.

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"