Gran Goes to Heaven
#1 of 2 in Faithful Seeds for Young Minds Series
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
Five-year-old Adara, a cheerful girl from a close-knit Christian family, loves spending weekends with Gran, her best friend and grandma. One day, Gran became very ill and dies, leaving Adara confused and sad. Mom and Dad comfort Adara with lessons from the Bible and explain that death and loss are part of life and that Gran is now in Heaven with Jesus. Adara learns that although she could no longer see her beloved Gran, she would always remain in their hearts and memories. Through Adara's journey, your child will learn Christian principles of love, family, and faith in helping us cope with difficult times. 'Gran Goes to Heaven' is the perfect way to introduce your child to the concepts of loss and grief in a gentle and comforting way.
Why read this book
- Tackles the concept of loss with sensitivity and care.
- Encourages conversations about grief between children and adults.
- Illustrations that enhance understanding and engagement.
- Supports emotional development and resilience in children.
The Big Picture
- Emphasizes love's endurance beyond loss.
- Introduces mortality with warmth and understanding.
- Facilitates emotional maturity via compassion.
- Provides framework for discussing life's hard topics.
What parents love
- Handled the topic of loss beautifully and sensitively.
- Engaging story with relatable characters, kids loved it.
- Educational yet entertaining, helps explain difficult topics.
- Wonderful illustrations, captures children's interest immediately.
Diversity & Representation
- Illustrates diverse family structures with sensitivity and acceptance.
- Showcases emotional responses from varied cultural perspectives.
- Highlights the universal themes of loss and love.
Discussion points
How did you feel when you read about Gran's journey to heaven?
What do you think heaven looks like?
What are some happy memories you have with someone you love who is no longer with us?
How can we keep remembering and honoring the people we miss?
What do you think Gran would tell us if she could send a message from heaven?
Tip: Role play these questions
Allow your child to express their feelings or thoughts openly without interruption, showing empathy and understanding.
Share your own feelings or memories about someone you miss to help your child feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics.
Encourage your child to draw a picture or write a letter to Gran or a loved one, expressing their thoughts or feelings.
Consider revisiting the book on significant dates, like anniversaries, to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones together.
Use the book as an opportunity to discuss family heritage and stories, connecting the child more deeply with their roots and loved ones.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding loss and grief
Explanation: The story follows Gran as she transitions to heaven, providing a gentle narrative to introduce the concepts of loss and grief to children.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding when they experience loss, helping them process their emotions and empathize with others going through similar experiences.
Example Lesson: The value of memories
Explanation: Through Gran's stories and the tokens she leaves behind, the book emphasizes the importance of cherishing memories with loved ones.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value and preserve memories, capturing moments with family or friends that can be revisited and treasured.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of life's cycles
Explanation: The book portrays the cycle of life and death in a reassuring way, helping children accept these natural processes.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in understanding and accepting changes in life, such as moving to a new place or transitioning to a new school phase.
Example Lesson: Expressing and sharing emotions
Explanation: Gran’s family talks openly about their feelings, teaching children the importance of expressing and sharing emotions during tough times.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to express their feelings through conversation, art, or writing, which can help them cope with their emotions and strengthen family bonds.