(4) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Annemarie van Haeringen. Through first-person-plural narration translated from the Dutch, two siblings discuss the death of their dog, Scout, and field their younger brother's questions about what comes next for their deceased pet ("Can she run across the clouds?"). The children largely go unseen--the text is printed on Scout's silhouette, which is set against different solid-color backgrounds--limiting an otherwise affecting meditation.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Laura J. Bryant. A polar bear father describes Heaven to his cub. Heaven, he explains, will be a place without any of the cares of the world, and it will be "like the best family reunion ever." The simple narrative is illustrated with quiet watercolors showing smiling Arctic animals. Although it's generally bland, this will be a useful selection for some families.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Mooch the cat from McDonnell's popular Mutts comic strip falls asleep under a tree, wakes up surrounded by dense fog, and, initially unsure of where he is, concludes that he must be in heaven. Though somewhat precious, the story's premise of looking at familiar surroundings through new eyes has appeal, which is enhanced by McDonnell's spare pen-and-ink drawings, reminiscent of Japanese prints.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(4) K-3 Childlike black-and-white cartoons illustrate this odd but intriguing story about two friends, a cat and a rabbit, who meet for a picnic of jellybeans and hot chocolate, and fall into conversation about death and the nature of heaven. While the friends' random speculations aren't especially deep, their easygoing back-and-forth nicely diffuses the fear from the typically uncomfortable topic.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(2) PS When Arthur's elderly dog Daisy dies, she sends dreams to show him how happy she is in heaven. When the time is right she sends him a dream of a new puppy, which Arthur does get. The emotional content of this gentle story, illustrated in soft, cheerful pastels, is just right, as is the comforting and uplifting tone.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2004

(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Diaz. Flowing out as if it were one long, hypnotic playground rhyme, the text incorporates the chants of Shameka and her friends jumping double dutch with a view of an elderly neighbor woman who comes out to jump with them and flies into the heavens. This fantastical death is refreshingly joyous, as are Diaz's bold, angular illustrations, rendered in vibrant spring colors.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(3) 4-6 Colorfully and imaginatively illustrated double-page spreads, thematically arranged, address a variety of topics in a loosely organized presentation. From the perspective of major world religions, Ganeri discusses Heaven, heavenly beings and bodies, life after death, and Hell, among other subjects. She also includes folktales from many religious traditions. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. In this take-off on a tale recorded in Zora Neale Hurston's Mules and Men, God walks around in house slippers, has a wife named Irene, and a secretary named Bruce. After the earth is created, Shaniqua (the angel in charge of everybody's business) decides the earth is boring and helps God create butterflies. The language is contemporary, colloquial, and humorous, and Cepeda's colorful, stylized illustrations capture the spirit of what Lester calls a "black storytelling voice."

Reviewer: Rudine Sims Bishop | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1999

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Daniel Minter. When a Southern country boy wakes up after falling from a tree, he is being carried off to heaven. Heaven, it turns out, is much like an idealized earthly African-American community: religion is important, basic needs are met, justice reigns, and children are the responsibility of the entire village. Linoleum block prints illustrate this book written in the early 1930s, now published for the first time. Bontemps, a terrific teller of tales, is a voice worth reviving for a new generation.

Reviewer: Rudine Sims Bishop | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1999