The Next Place

by Warren Hanson

Book Overview

A classic, The Next Place brings gentle verse revealing a safe and welcome destination free from earthly hurts and filled with wonder and peace. A comforting message of hope and a gift of compassion... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0931674328
• ISBN13: 9780931674327
• Release Date: August 2002
• Publisher: Waldman House Press
• Length: 36 Pages
• Weight: 1.07 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 9.1" x 11.2"

Customer Reviews

I Don't Even Know How Many Copies of this Book I Have Purchased

This book is AMAZING. If a child (or yourself even) is grieving from the passing of a loved one this book provides a sense of peace. A must read. It was a household favorite even before the loss of our Mamaw and I have passed one and bought another one anytime a friend or family member has gone through the same thing.

IT REFUSED TO LET ME GO & WITH GOOD REASON.

On September 10, 2001 Warren Hanson's book, The Next Place chose me. Its' beautiful artwork and compelling words held on and refused to let me go. I realized I must purchase it for the unpredictable future when I would have to explain death to my two children, ages 4 and 2. This was also the exact message I would want my children to hear should anything ever happen to me. On September 11, 2001 our world fell apart. Within a week a handful of strangers from across the country came together and started a grass roots, nonprofit organization, The Next Place Network. Each one of us so moved by the powerful message within The Next Place we came together with the sole purpose: to collect and distribute copies of The Next Place to those directly affected by the tragic turn of events of 9-11. The response has been extraordinarily heartening and encouraging. To date, through donations and gifts, we have presented over 6250 copies of The Next Place to the children, families, loved ones, shell shocked rescue workers and guilt stricken surviving coworkers of those who died on that tragic day. The incredibly effective and universally spiritual message is supported, appreciated and accepted by a myriad of September 11 organizations, religious leaders, death and dying professionals, family crises centers, Hospice, NYFD, NYPD, NYPA, NY National Guard, Salvation Army, NYSEMO, United Airlines, American Airlines, teachers, parents, and children who were directly affected by the terrorist attacks in America. Several copies have also been distributed to the families of the postal workers who lost their lives as a result of bio terrorism. The words and images have given an incalculable amount of emotional comfort and spiritual renewal during this most trying time. Through the expressions of The Next Place we are comforted in the understanding that our love, memories and friendships from this lifetime will carry our loved ones through to the 'other side'-making their light shine brighter in the next place that they go.

A Beautiful Place

I was attracted to the gorgeous cover art of this book in the children's section. As I read it I felt swept away. The text and illustrations are so beautiful, so moving, and so unique. I'd recommend it for children, parents and adults alike. It's a simple but profound way of explaining death to a child, without seeming scary or overtly religious. Keep this in mind as a gift. As a parent and a child therapist, I know this will be put to good use.

wonderful

Three months ago, my cousin, Josh, died very suddenly. I am 17 years old and he was only 18, we were very close. Since that time, I have had a lot of trouble dealing with his death and trying to understand it. My aunt sent me a copy of this book for Easter and it made the realization of his death more peaceful for me. It helped me to see this experience as not only a very painful and terrible one, but one that will make me stronger and will teach me a lot. This book helped to ease the pain of no longer being able to see Josh and know how he's doing. It made me accept that he's in a better place now and that he's being taken care of. Most of all, it reminded me that although I won't see his face or hear his voice anymore, he'll always be with me and I will always be with him. I hope every person, young and old, who has experienced a death, whether through family or friends, will get a chance to read this book. While the pain they're dealing with can never fully be resolved, this book will definitely help to ease it,

PEACEFUL AT LAST

I WAS SO ATTRACTED BY THE BOOK'S COVER THAT I OPENED THE BOOK AND BEGAN TO READ IT. (I HAD BEEN AGONIZING OVER MY FATHER'S ILLNESS AND KNEW IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I WOULD BE FACED WITH HIS DEATH.) AS I CONTINUED TO READ "THE NEXT PLACE" WHILE STANDING IN THE BOOKSTORE, I BEGAN TO FEEL PEACE I HAD THOUGHT WOULD NEVER RETURN. EACH PAGE WAS SO BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED AND EACH PHRASE SO COMFORTING. I BOUGHT THE BOOK. I READ IT TO MY FAMILY AS WE WERE GATHERED AROUND MY FATHER'S BED, JUST MINUTES AFTER HIS DEATH. I ALSO READ IT DURING HIS FUNERAL MASS. IT SAID ALL THAT NEEDED SAYING BECAUSE DAD WAS, AT LAST, "PERFECT". I HAVE SENT "THE NEXT PLACE", IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES. THE REACTION IS ALWAYS HUGS, TEARS AND GRATITUDE.

This is a beautiful and peaceful presentation of death.

The comforting words in this book presents a kind and wonderfulimage of death; reinforcing that our relationship with the person hasnot ended. As a first grade teacher I read it to my class to ease the consuming concern one of my little girls has had about a young uncle who died suddenly from a heart attack. She told me twice that day that she feels better now. This book integrates comforting script with such beautiful illustrations and use of color and design that all I've shown it to are moved.