The Next Place

This is just the nicest book for help in talking to children about death. It also is a thoughtful narrative for adults. It's really lovely with very nice illustrations.

It's hard to describe what a powerful book this is. A friend who lost her son in a car accident shared this book with me and halfway through, I had tears in my eyes, which didn't stop until well after the story was over. I lost three of my grandparents in recent years, and it's still been hard for me to think of any of them without hurting. This book changed all of that in an instant. "The Next Place" reads like a letter written by one who has died to a loved one left behind. It is a poem, and the words flow together beautifully. The illustrations capture the feel of the words on each page and take you along on a peaceful journey as you turn the pages. The message is poignant and precious, and is written in the voice of a person who is still very much alive and thriving, just in a different way - one that is far superior to the limitations of life in a human body. It does not lean toward any specific religion, yet is appropriate for people of all faiths, and all ages.I have found this book to be such a great comfort that I ordered additional copies as Christmas gifts (as well as Mr. Hanson's "Paw Prints in the Stars" book for those who have lost a beloved pet). I couldn't even wait for Christmas and gave them away already - and all have been well received.Thank you so much, Mr. Hanson, for sharing such a beautiful message with the world in "The Next Place." You have changed the way that I remember my grandparents and have given me a solid foundation for coping with other losses I'll face in my life.

Nice fir child grief

Bought this to help my granddaughter with grieving the loss of her kindergarten best friend that was tragically run over walking to school. I also bought this book 25+ years ago for my daughter when a teacher passed. This book is beautifully written and has such pretty illustrations. You won't be disappointed

I can’t say enough about this book. I’ve given it to children and adults who’ve lost someone very close to them. It is absolutely perfect and I would gift it to any age.

Right now, my thoughts are with those who have passed away from the recent tornadoes in the South (United States). I feel bad for all those individuals who lost their loved ones, along with all their homes and material possessions, through the recent tornadoes. I really think that this book by Warren Hanson could provide some comfort right now for those who are suffering. I understand that a lot of people are suffering through hard times and hard losses right now, and that sometimes this current existence wasn't what they envisioned for themselves. Just like the billions of people on this planet who watched the British Royal Wedding of William and Kate, I truly felt glad that the both of them were healthy and happy and that they experienced a beautiful and out-of-this-world wedding ceremony. But in the back of my mind I was thinking about the people who died from the recent tornadoes who passed away young and never had the chance to have a wedding of their own. Sometimes bad things happen to you that are way beyond your control that alter your life, health, and existence for the long run. When I was 19, a routine surgery gone bad altered my health and life for the long haul. I honestly never dreamt that something like that would happen to me. All I can say is that sometimes life doesn't go the way you envisioned or planned, and then you experience frustration and anger. Ever since the age of 19, I honestly never feared "the next place". From a lot of things that I have experienced on this Earth, I always knew and felt that "the next place" would be a beautiful, perfect, and happy place with no pain. And it makes me happy to know that Warren Hanson feels the same way about "the next place". Warren Hanson's book is perfect. It captures everything that I feel and sense about "the next place". The words in Warren Hanson's book are very calming, soothing, and tranquil. The imagery and artwork in this book are beautiful, happy, and peaceful. I think that Warren Hanson's book is an essential gift to give for people grieving after a funeral, for people who are suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses, for people who have lost loved ones to war, natural disasters, senseless crimes, etc. One of my three college degrees is a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling with a certified rehabilitation counselor designation, and I feel that it would be a great idea for counselors to have this book handy for the people they counsel. I really think that this book is essential for each household. It's a fact that each person dies, young or old. And this book will help both kids and adults understand that death is a transition that each person faces, and that death and the next place we go to is not an ugly place or thing to fear.