Heaven is Real for KidsI really wanted to like this book. I probably should read the adult version as well to really get a perspective on the events that happened to this young man. I wish nothing but good for him and his family.
The book is very simply written reaching out to its target audience. Each page contains scripture, a point I thought was well handled. Colton’s descriptions of heaven are very detailed. The illustrations that accompany it add to this detail - like horses with rainbow manes. Almost too detailed, I guess. He’s three when this happens. It’s hard to believe there isn’t some level of parental prompting as the story goes on. Naming the angels, wanting to be by Jesus’ throne, all seem very adult for someone so young. What I think I don’t like is that his story if taken at face value portrays heaven. Much of it is in alignment, albeit simplistically, with scripture. Some of it seems fantastical, but, again, he’s three. To me, though, I want my children or nieces and nephews to see heaven through the Bible and not through someone else’s eyes.
This young man, now much older, died and returned. God bless him and his family for having to go through that. I pray his story is real and the events are just as they were told. I think this book is just too right brained for a linear mind like mine.
*** I received this book free from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review.
I agree. The idea of dying nad coming back goes against the "appointed once for man to die" scripture anyways. I think that his experience was likely real to him, but as a mother to a 3year old boy, I would have to say in order to verbalize himself that well he would have had to have been extremely gifted or coached to some extent. I give the family the benifit of the doubt on motives, but I don't think this was entirely through the eyes of a 3 year old. I prefer to steer clear of "I have seen heaven" books. They just don't line up with scripture IMHO. Thank you for the honest review. These are hard to write sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. It was hard to write, but I have to be honest. It's unfortunate we have to be so skeptical in this life, but...
Blessings,
April
April, I read the adult version and you expressed my sentiments beautifully. Maybe it's because my kids were three once, or maybe it's all that child development training I had as a nurse, but I can't imagine a child recalling in such detail without some coaching.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to like it too, but I didn't and ended up selling it for a dollar or two.
I don't doubt that the child died and caught a glimpse of heaven. I think he'd be objecting at his current age if that didn't really happen. But something didn't feel quite right as I read it. The should-have-been-an-attorney part of me had questions and just couldn't accept it at face value as it's written.
I want to have childlike faith, but for me that faith is in the word of God, not someone else's testimony.
Thanks for being honest. I hear such rave reviews that I thought I was the only one who thought this way about the book.