Reviews for "A Letter From Heaven""It can be challenging for a parent or guardian to help their child understand and cope with the loss of a loved one, particularly a sibling. There are many books that deal with children's issues when coping with the death of a family member. In his children's story, A Letter From Heaven, author Steve Butler addresses a rarely talked about issue regarding the questions and feelings children have when they discover that their parents had a previous child who died. Jamie is a young boy full of curiosity and questions. His inquisitiveness about a ceramic jar sitting on a shelf causes him to constantly question his mother about it. For a long time, his mother was quick to give a simple answer that satisfied him. As time passes, he becomes even more curious. His mother finally sits him down and retrieves a letter from the jar. She reads the letter and Jamie discovers that it is written to him from his sister who died shortly after being born. 'A Letter From Heaven' is a poignant and heartfelt story that explains what happened to Jamie's sister before he was born. Within the letter, such themes as family, love, peace, life after death, and the connection with nature in terms of birth, death, and rebirth, are raised. The story is beautifully crafted to help children understand and cope with death. It is very positive and written with great care, emphasizing the grieving process that includes acceptance. With beautiful illustrations enhancing the story, 'A Letter From Heaven', is a very tender and uplifting story. It is highly recommended as an aid for parents, therapists, and educators, to help children through the grieving process when discovering the unexpected loss of a baby through either a miscarriage, still born, or sudden infant death. The book is a must have for every library."
-Tracy Roberts, Nova Scotia, Canada
Write Field Services
"Steve Butler, the author of 'A Letter from Heaven', has presented the story in a way that will appeal to children; Jamie reads a letter from his sister Alexandra who is in heaven. It is a child talking to a child about her birth, death, love, and the miracle of roses. It provides comfort and satisfies the inquisitive minds of young readers without exposing them to too much too fast. Even the subject of the ashes in the ceramic jar, a difficult subject to bring up to young children, is handled with much skill. The ashes are addressed, but the emphasis is on the important part of Alexandra--that part of her who lives in heaven with God. The author also reinforces how much the living child is loved by his parents, grandparents...and his sibling in Heaven.
In reading this book, I found myself remembering a time in my life many years ago when I suffered multiple miscarriages. For some reason I always found it difficult to talk with my son and daughter, who were born years afterward, about their siblings, now living with God. Mostly, I would remind them that these babies are very much alive in Heaven, even though they did not take a breath on earth. I wish this book had been available to me at that time. I personally feel A Letter from Heaven is a wonderful and much-needed resource for helping parents and health professionals talk with children and explain the loss of a baby sibling who was born before them. It is an issue that has been very much neglected by the book industry.
I highly recommend this book and believe that it should be in libraries across the country. "
-Bettie Corbin Tucker, PA, USA
Reviews for "We Do Remember You""Steve Butler has provided a story of inspiration for bereaved families, especially children who are experiencing the loss of a sibling. The stories of heaven shared by the angelic children in 'We Do Remember You' will be comforting to young readers while readers of all ages will learn how to celebrate and remember the precious lives of their loved ones."
-Beth Page, Bereaved Parent
Founder of Dakota Winds
"Steve Butler reminds us that our love for each other surpasses death and transcends us to a new way of being. I now have an essential resource to recommend to all people grieving the death of a child."
-Amy Prestwood
MA, LPC, NCC, Hospice Counselor
"We have all suffered the loss of a loved one in our lives, and most of us cringe at the thought of having our children exposed to death. When we think of children's books, it is usually cute fluffy characters and bright colors that are thought of, and certainly not the subject of death. Author Steve Butler has managed to write to children about the topic in a most comforting way.
"We Do Remember You is a heartwarming and beautifully written story through which the author focuses on possible ways of "doing" our grief. With beautiful artwork by Grace Mayfield, the story takes place in the Heavens, and all of the little Angels are wondering who back on Earth remembers them and how.
"The author takes us through many special ways that we can remember our loved ones and the happiness that it brings the Angels above. It is an inspirational story for bereaved readers and families and if possible, lightens the subject of loss and death."
- Meg Walsh
www.megwalshonline.com
"'We Do Remember You' by Steve Butler is a book written for those who are grieving the death of a child. Though it is a difficult subject, the author has presented the material in a way that gives readers of all ages help, hope, and an outlet for their emotions.
"As a mother who has lost a child, I shed tears but also smiled as I met the young angelic characters who are enjoying the beauty of Heaven as they share conversations about their lives and deaths. All but one child explains how his or her family presently expresses their love for them on earth, whether it involves putting flowers on a grave, planting a tree, caring for a rose bush, lighting a candle, praying, or performing some other personal and meaningful ritual. This is done to show the children they are missed and remembered. But what about that one child—doesn’t anyone miss her? Purchase this book and find out how a baby without a name gives and receives joy in Heaven.
"When the author mentions rituals in the foreword, he speaks of them as ways of “Doing” your grief…when they are carried out with love and care. He also expresses his belief that these rituals allow the spirits of those who grieve touch the spirits of the ones they can no longer see on earth. Through fictionalized conversations, readers quickly learn from the angelic children how much these acts of remembrance mean to them. This should prove especially beneficial to children who are left behind when their brothers, sisters, parents, or best friends go to Heaven.
"Alexandra, one of the heavenly angels, was introduced to me in an earlier book entitled 'A Letter to Heaven.' As she thinks about the urn in her own home and a special rose garden in her grandmother’s yard, she understands just how much she was and is loved. She asks God to let her brother Jamie know that she will always love him. I believe the prayer is answered through a ladybug. Yes, a ladybug!
"I give'We Do Remember You' my highest recommendation. It is well-written, beautifully illustrated, and the language is age appropriate. In my opinion, this book fills a need for a different kind of resource on the subject of grieving."
-Bettie Corbin Tucker
For Independent Professional Book Reviewers
www.bookreviewers.org
"Grace Mayfield, a Charlotte preschool teacher, has illustrated a children’s book entitled, 'We Do Remember You', written by Reverend Steve Butler of Lenoir, NC and published by Enheart Publishing .
"This book and its illustrations may offer comfort to families dealing with the loss of loved ones in the recent earthquake in Haiti.
"The cover of the book features angelic children, who share heavenly stories for mourning families throughout the book. Adorned with roses and various other flowers, the pictures in the book are on a backdrop of pastel colors, with one glimpse of a rock, pebble, and concrete art activity.
"Beside of the Foreword page is a simple picture of a chime, blowing in the wind, a reminder of a song to heaven, or requiem.
"Throughout the book, the realistic facial expressions of the adorable, angelic characters take the reader through a journey of natural grieving.
"A multicultural group of mommies stand around a table, hold hands, and pray together, unified by the tragic loss of a precious, innocent child.
"The young characters look so adorable, you just want to reach out and touch them. The angel wings appear to be made of feathers. Children who read the book, or who are read to, will discover what an urn is.
"Those who read the book will grasp the importance of performing rituals, such as planting a rose bush, to overcome the grief from losing a loved one. Readers will find comfort in the beauty of daffodils and ladybugs.
"The end of the book lists resources for families dealing with losing a baby, a young child, or for a child dealing with the loss of a loved one."
-Lynn Wise
Charlotte Preschool Examiner