How High Is Heaven?
Linsey Davis
I have heard some fabulous questions from children over the past 25 years; how old is the stuff in lava, will deer swim in a pool if no one is watching, can I harness the energy in lightning to make my mom’s car run? Often times, I get questions that I cannot possibly answer. That’s when I start to research alongside the child or put them in communication with someone that can. However, there are some questions that we just cannot answer, despite doing the best research possible. I often hear from adults that have children they love asking specific questions about heaven. This is always a tricky question to answer, not only because we don’t have concrete answers, but because I don’t have the background as to why the child is asking. When How High Is Heaven? by Linsey Davis came across my desk from the publisher, I found myself breathing a sigh of relief, as I now have a good option to recommend to adults to help guide conversations with the children in their lives that are wondering about such a topic.
How High Is Heaven? is told with children in mind. The simple sentences are cadenced by a gentle rhyme scheme. Beautiful full page illustrations that incorporate the words lend support to the text, incorporating people that depict many iterations of God’s children. The story focuses on a young child that is missing his grandmother, who has recently died. The child wants to see his grandmother again and is trying to figure out how to get himself to heaven so as to visit. He explores several options, such as building stairs, flying, and using a trampoline. He talks about this with family members, who gently support his questions. They help him to realize that one can’t just transport oneself to heaven and that it is because of God’s grace and our faith that we are able to be part of it. There are different understandings of heaven, and there are many faith traditions that will disagree with the author’s phrase that “that heaven will be our reward”. However, it isn’t a reason to not read this book. In fact, it is more of a reason to read it because it will allow people to discuss what they believe and why. It will allow for more resources to be brought into the child’s circle of knowledge, as well as allow them to connect with trusted adults in their lives.
I see many uses for this book. It definitely has a place in a children’s and family ministries lending library. It also has a place on a children’s minister’s resource shelf. You’ll be able to share it and let families have conversations together. It could also be a wonderful addition to a new members class or confirmation class. There is a lot to discuss within the beautiful phrases in the book, allowing people to chew on what they believe and why they believe it. This book sparked a lively text discussion thread among my husband and three teens. None of us are the target audience, but we definitely chewed on the nuances of language, what we believe, and why we believe it. If you value conversation, letting people delve into what they believe, and facilitating the ability for people to know more about their faith, this book has a place in your ministry.
