I was a children’s ministry director for nearly 12 years and was asked several times to recommend books about heaven for kids who had experienced loss. What follows are the ones I recommended back then, plus a few newer books.
Also, if your child is directly dealing with the death of someone, this free resource has been very helpful to a lot of Christian parents!
1. Goodbye to Goodbyes
Lauren Chandler
I love every single book in the Tales That Tell The Truth series, and this one does not disappoint. If you’re talking to a child about dying, heaven, and loss, you need this book about the hope Jesus came to bring! Check it out on Amazon.
2. The Awesome Super Fantastic Forever Party
Joni Eareckson Tada
I did tell you I love every single book in this series, and here’s another one! While Goodbye to Goodbyes is more specifically about death and loss, this one is about the gospel, heaven and the hope we have in Christ! Check it out on Amazon.
3. Someday Heaven
Larry Libby
This is a book I remember vividly from my own childhood. The paintings showed me that being in heaven would be a joy, and that it was nothing to be afraid of. This is always my top recommendation as it’s also very well-researched and Biblical. I don’t remember reading all the text as a child, because it was quite long, but it provides some great talking points for parents. Check it out on Amazon.
4. Someone I Love Died
Christine Harder Tangvald
This book is a combination of a story, the Gospel, and a journal. It’s quite fantastic, and is a great choice for any parent who’d like a clear, child-friendly way to present death, heaven, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Check it out on Amazon.
(Want to explain death and heaven from a Christian perspective without buying a book? Read my article on how to explain death to a child Biblically.)
5. God gave us heaven
Lisa Tawn Bergren
This book is part of Bergren’s best-selling series of books with Little Cub and her family. In each book, Little Cub and her parents have a long conversation in which the parent explains a deep, theological topic in ways kids can understand. The illustrations are really fun and imaginative in each book, and God Gave Us Heaven is no different. It’s a great addition to the books about heaven for kids. See it on Amazon.
6. Heaven for Kids
by Randy Alcorn
Randy Alcorn has a number of well-researched and widely recognized books about heaven, and this one is written just for kids! The other books on this list are written for younger kids, but this one will be best for elementary-age children and up. It refers a lot to the Chronicles of Narnia, which is great for any child who’s read CS Lewis’ famous series. I’ve heard this book has helped a lot of adults with their questions as well. See it on Amazon.
7. Tell Me About Heaven
by Randy Alcorn
For those who learn better through narrative than lecture, “Tell Me About Heaven” is perfect. I wouldn’t recommend it for very young kids as there are few illustrations, but its narrative format will be easier to follow and understand for children that aren’t old enough to appreciate the previous book on the list. See it on Amazon.
8. There’s a party in heaven
Gary Bower
If you’re looking for a book about heaven for younger kids, this is an excellent one. The illustrations are inspiring, and Gary Bower is the king of well-written rhythm and rhyme. With Bible verses on each page to reinforce the message and a joy that is rarely found in books about death, this is a great addition to your personal or church library. See it on Amazon.
9. A travel guide to heaven for kids
by Anthony DeStefano
This book teaches about heaven through the story of a little boy who dreams of visiting heaven one night. (Or was it a dream? Hmmmm) It will definitely inspire your kids to realize that heaven is a wonderful place, not something to dread. Check it out on Amazon.
10. Heaven is for real
Colton Burpo
This book is unique in that it’s a biography. As a 3 year old, Colton had a near brush with death and God decided to show this little guy what heaven was like. He came back with all kinds of stories that were verified by Scripture and stories of family members that he hadn’t previously known about.
While other “I went to heaven” stories have been discredited or recanted, Colton stands by the truth of his experience. This picture book version is a summary of his experiences and what they show us about heaven. I think it’s odd that the people are illustrated with wing, but there’s a Q and A section at the back of the book that addresses that. Check this book out on Amazon.
Love this booklist? Download my list of the 10 BEST Christian picture books!
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