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Media: Books,
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INSPIRATIONAL, SPIRITUAL, ENLIGHTENMENT;
LOSS AND GRIEF
[click on the topic above that you're
interested in, and you'll be taken to that page]
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AMAZON.COM HAS GREAT PRICES!
A portion of the purchase
price of any books purchased through linking from this site to
Amazon.com will be donated to small, independent animal
rescue organizations around the country.
(You must click on the
title of the book, not the book icon, for this to happen.) If
there is a rescue group you would like considered for this donation
program, please contact me at
kat@katberard.com.
Please bookmark this page for future book purchases.
Thank you for helping
animals this way! Kat
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ABOUT ANIMALS: INSPIRATIONAL;
SPIRITUAL; ENLIGHTENMENT |
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 Pieces
of My Heart: Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature
(Jim Willis, 2002)
As a "voice for the voiceless," Jim
Willis touches human hearts as deftly as he bonds with the animals he
rescues. His writings have inspired animal lovers around the world in
over a dozen languages. Now, with publication of his collected writings
in the USA and the UK, the Author has made a generous arrangement with
the publishers that can benefit the fundraising efforts of all animal
rescue, conservation and environmental groups.
In Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature the
author paints an emotional rainbow with a palette akin to Thoreau,
Khalil Gibran, James Thurber, Chief Seattle, and James Herriot. Pieces
of My Heart encompasses favorites such as "We Are Their Heroes," "How
Could You?," "The Basset Chronicles," and "The Zen of Cat," as well as a
treasure-trove of new writings. Included is an Appendix of suggestions
and resources for helping animals; and a Foreword by Dr. Marc Bekoff,
author of Minding Animals: Awareness, Emotions, and Heart and co-founder
with Dr. Jane Goodall of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals/Citizens for Responsible Animal Behavior Studies. Illustrated by
Christine J. Head. (Softcover, 312 pages.)
Pieces of My Heart is a soulful, heartfelt tribute to animals and a plea
for compassion. As you immerse yourself in its truths you'll reach for
the nearest animal to hug, you'll smile through tears, and you'll feel
the urge to run barefoot in the grass.
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Chicken Soup for the Cat
& Dog Lover's Soul - Celebrating Pets as Family With Stories About Cats, Dogs
and Other Critters (Jack Canfield and others,
1999) If readers' cats and dogs could
read they'd give up catnip and bones for this book. Their "people" are sure to
love and treasure this book for years to come. Chicken Soup for the Pet
Lover's Soul spoke directly to the hearts of all readers whose lives have ever
been changed by the love of a pet. Now the coauthors bring readers this
volume, honoring the unique and enduring love that people share with their
cats and dogs. Like its predecessor, this book is a joyous and inspiring
collection--sometimes poignant, sometimes amusing, always filled with the
special and incredibly unconditional love only cats and dogs can give. The
stories in this collection celebrate those lovable furry, four-legged
creatures that bring out the best in all of us, inspiring us to be happier,
kinder, more understanding and more loving. Readers will discover that many of
humanity's greatest heroes, healers and teachers are not humans at all, but
those amazing cats and dogs that brighten all our lives.
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Chicken
Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul: Stories About Pets as Teachers, Healers, Heroes
and Friends
(Jack Canfield and others, 1998)
Customer Review: "After I read the first heart-warming pages, I couldn't
put the book down for more than 15 minutes. This is the kind of book that
makes you want to cuddle up with your pet and read the soul-tickling stories
that are written over the 403 pages. Many times I found myself saying, "Wow!"
or "Oh my gosh I can't believe that really happened!" But most of the time I
found myself saying, "Aw, how sweet." I love how the stories are true. Once
you open Chicken Soup For The Pet Lover's Soul, you won't be able to close it.
You will love how just reading one 3 or 4 page story will make you remember it
for the rest of your day. It teaches about how animals can be healers, heroes,
and teachers. I give this book 2 thumbs up, and in addition to the 2 thumbs, I
give it 5 stars as well."
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Chicken
Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul: Inspirational Stories About Horses and the
People Who Love Them
(Jack Canfield and others, 2003) Reader comments:
"This is just a great
book, with stories that cover all areas of the horse world. I think any
horseperson will find themselves, and a horse that they have loved, in at
least one of the stories. I especially liked the remarkable courage and
intelligence of "Sgt. Reckless, a Mighty Marine", the spiritual connection
between horses and people in "Instincts of a War Mare", and the incredible
accuracy (and humor) of "Horse Lovers are Really Sick People"."
"I'd never read a
Chicken Soup book before. Because my daughter is handicapped, I was
touched by the numerous stories about horses enriching and helping
children and adults overcome physical and emotional challenges. Very
inspiring!" |
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One
at a Time: A Week In an American Animal Shelter
(Diane Leigh, Marilee Geyer, 2003) Over half the households in America include
an animal companion. Yet behind this immense love of animals lies an
equally immense tragedy: each year, community animal shelters take in
eight to twelve million lost and unwanted dogs and cats who face an
uncertain fate.
One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter brings this issue
vividly to life via a true account of 7 days in a typical U.S. animal
shelter. With compelling photos and moving vignettes, this book chronicles
the stories of 75 animals who passed through a Northern California animal
shelter during one week. Their gripping stories include excerpts from
actual shelter records; the words of shelter workers, volunteers, and
visitors; and the final conclusion of each animal's journey through the
animal shelter system.
Look into the eyes of these animals and let their stories give you a
riveting and unforgettable glimpse into this nation's homeless animal
tragedy. Whether it is the lost dog quickly reunited with his family
because he was wearing an ID tag, the frightened cat given up by guardians
who didn't understand the commitment of caring for her, the cat facing
euthanasia or the dog joyfully adopted into a new home, each animal in One
at a Time has an important lesson to teach and a powerful message to
share.
One at a Time will help you to see the real faces behind the numbers, and
to experience the miracles and heartbreak that play out every day in our
nation's shelters... one animal at a time.
Even more importantly, One at a Time will give you hope, because this
tragedy can be ended and each one of us can be part of the solution...
offering us the chance to become better people, to reawaken our connection
with other living beings, and to reaffirm the sanctity of life itself. The
animals of One at a Time will show you how.
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Living With Dogs: Tales of Love, Commitment and Enduring Friendship
(Henry Korman, Mary Ellen Korman, 1997) Our lives are filled with a wide
array of relationships---some of which are very complicated and some of
which are really very simple. The simple connections we make with nature
and animals sustain us. If you have found that your dog is a simple and
sustaining part of your life you will enjoy these simple, anecdotal
stories of other dog-people's experiences. The book has the same uplifting
characteristics as our relationships with our dogs.
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 Animals
As Guides for the Soul: Stories of Life-Changing Encounters
(Susan Chernak McElroy, 1999) In her New York Times bestseller Animals as
Teachers and Healers, Susan Chernak McElroy movingly explored the wide and
enriching horizons of human relationships with animals. In this new volume
of reflections and true animal stories, she invites us to broaden and
deepen that relationship.
While living with her husband and animals on a farm in Oregon, McElroy
pondered the ancient bonds that connect humans and animals: the healing
gifts of animals, the genius of people who talk to them, and the power of
animal messengers. She also asked herself the tough questions that engage
every true animal lover. How can we soothe our anguish and guilt when a
loved animal suffers or dies? How do we atone for our mistakes? When are
animals prisoners and when are they fulfilled? Is it moral to eat other
beings? And how can we go about transforming our relationship with
animals?
Through daily experiences with the animals around her and those in her
dreams--along with compelling true stories sent to her by readers--McElroy
began to find answers. She discovered that animals are guides in the
development of our souls. A frail llama teaches lessons of joy and
unconditional love; a barn cat proves that service need not be
imprisonment but fulfillment; a mortally injured hawk infuses a cancer
patient with renewed strength and faith; an attentive rabbit awakens an
abused child from a trance of sadness; and a skinny white horse does more
for a damaged six-year-old boy in one hour than any human has done in six
years.
In this deeply personal yet universal testament to the profound connection
between animals and humans, there is wisdom and blessing. As the author
reminds us, the fingerprint of God is often a pawprint.
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Animals
As Teachers and Healers: True Stories and Reflections
(Susan Chernak McElroy, Michael W. Fox, 1998) Animals as Teachers and
Healers was the first book of this kind (true stories about people's
healing experiences with animals) to attract events without an author!
Volunteers from Adopt a Greyhound, for example, devoted their time (and
their Greyhounds'--notoriously shy creatures) to discussions hosted in
bookstores. The book's very personal stories prompted people to share
their own stories of connection with animals. Some wrote essays. And
others went right out and adopted their own greyhound after hearing about
the program! What was immediately apparent at all the events I went to was
how much animals relaxed barriers between people, and gave them a
comfortable way to express emotion. Also, everyone seemed drawn to a
different story in Animals as Teachers and Healers, and for a variety of
reasons. But my own favorite story is about "Annie, the horse," which
describes a young woman who is unable to stand up to her abusive boyfriend
but lavishes love and affection on her horse. One day, the boyfriend comes
out to the barn where she's grooming Annie and a confrontation escalates
to the point where Annie's agitated. The boyfriend begins to get physical
and Annie head-butts the boyfriend out of the barn! Shortly afterwards,
the woman finds the strength to leave this guy, w/ Annie, of course. It's
amazing how animals both humanize people and lend strength, joy, and
dominion. Sad that I don't have room for so much as a goldfish, but I've
got the book on my shelf! --Christina Smith, Marketing Manager for
Publisher |
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Through
Animals' Eyes: True Stories From a Wildlife Sanctuary (Lynn Marie
Cuny, 2001) In 1977 Cuny founded a wildlife sanctuary near San Antonio, Texas,
to provide rescue, rehabilitation, and release of orphaned, injured, and
displaced wildlife. Her brief stories are often touching, such as when she
describes a young raccoon, rescued from a fire, self-medicating its burned
paws with aloe vera plants; or two crab-eating macaques, confined inside a
research facility for eighteen years, experiencing the outdoors for the
first time. Natural History, Bookshelf, March 1999.
Heartwarming tales of rescued creatures are presented in this collection
of vignettes from a large wildlife rehabilitation center in Texas. Over
the last 20 years, Cuny has run Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, which
she founded to rescue orphaned, injured, and displaced wildlife. The
center also provides permanent homes for animals too disabled to be
released, as well as nonnative wildlife rescued from the exotic pet trade.
The center takes in more than 5,000 animals each year. The history of each
animal--from a tiny newborn field mouse to a black bear--is told in a few
pages and illustrated with photos. . . .Cuny's love for her charges shines
through in her stories. The large audience for animal tales of this sort
makes this a recommended title, and maybe readers will be sensitized to
the problems our species creates for other animals. --Booklist, Nancy
Bent, February 15, 1999.
"The day we met she was feeding five beautiful yearlings intravenously,
who surely would have died from dehydration, while she simultaneously
supervised the feeding of skunks, possums, squirrels--you name it. She is
selfless and dauntless in her battle to rescue and rehabilitate animals. I
feel privileged to know her and serve on her board. There are few better
qualified to look through the eyes of an animal. It is a beautiful,
touching book." --Loretta Swit, actress
"Through Animals' Eyes not only entertains the reader with some amazing
stories, but reminds us that human compassion can and should turn outward
to embrace the animal world. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it
down. Lynn Cuny's work has made a difference; her stories will too." --Max
Oelschlaeger, McAllister Chair in Community Culture and Environment,
Northern Arizona University, author of The Idea of Wilderness
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 The
Compassion of Animals: True Stories of Animal Courage and Kindness
(Kristin Von Kreisler, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, 1999) Do Animals Have
Feelings? According to Kristin von Kreisler, the answer is an undeniable
yes. Here, she shares dozens of absorbing, true stories of animals who've
risked their lives to keep the human they love out of danger. You'll read
of incredibly heroic acts—from the dog who swallows a firecracker to
protect a toddler, to the horse who runs through traffic to save an
injured woman. You'll come away from this profoundly moving book with a
deeper appreciation for the indispensable role animals play in our daily
lives.
"Remember some of the feelings you had as a child for the animals to whom
you were closest . . . That is what this book is all about."
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The
Healing Power of Pets: Harnessing the Amazing Ability of Pets to Make and
Keep People Happy and Healthy
(Dr. Marty Becker, 2003) Reader review: We are slowly killing
ourselves. We drive too fast, eat too much, are sleep-deprived and are
fried, frazzled and hassled. E multi-task 'til we drop. More of us commit
suicide with a fork than with a gun. Laptops, desk tops, PDA's entomb us
in an icy digital dungeon. So what does this have to do with pets? Dr.
Becker and Danelle Morton have crafted a brilliant story. We need the CAT
scan and pills. But we also need the puppy and the kitten to heal our
bodies, mend our minds and soothe our troubled souls. And make us smile
again.
With rock-solid data from psychologists, immunologists and epidemiologists
the authors take us by the hand and show the healing power of animals. The
style is soft, comfortable and enticing. You cannot put this book away.
The Bond between people, patients and pets is real, assessable and can no
longer be ignored. But have a hankie handy. A guarantee: no one finishes
the book with a dry eye. But we feel good about the tears. Like the kind
we shed with a good laugh. So, if we want to go the distance, live long
enough to cash in the 403-b, read this book. It will change your life and
you can bet on it. |
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Beauty
In the Beasts: True Stories of Animals Who Choose to Do Good
(Kristin Von Kreisler, Jeffrey Moussaief Masson, 2002) As the author
of more than 200 articles about animals for publications such as Woman's
Day, Parade, Glamour, and the Los Angeles Times, Kristin von Kreisler has
become a well-known advocate for animals in the United States. In Beauty
in the Beasts, she presents her belief that animals are capable of
virtuousness. To prove her point, von Kreisler supplies hundreds of true
stories of animals' doing good, each divided according to the virtue
demonstrated: compassion, loyalty, courage, fortitude, resourcefulness,
cooperation, generosity, sensitivity.
Anyone who has ever shared space with a dog or cat will be familiar with
the story of the dog who licks away his owner's tears and provides
comfort. But what about the story of Vintage, the feral cat who'd bonded
with a dog to such a degree that she provided milk for puppies when her
own kittens had not survived birth? Dog lovers may get teary when reading
of Maui, the Newfoundland who rescued two surfers in Corsica before
drowning while trying to reach a third. Less common and less domesticated
animals are no less noble. There is "a sensitive chicken named Sonya" who
clucked and whirred while nuzzling a sad human friend, and Petunia, a
pampered 400-pound pig who bravely chased an intruder away from her back
door. While science may scoff at von Kreisler's insistence on the reality
of emotions in these animals, most readers will simply giggle, cry, and
ultimately come away with a deeper appreciation for animals of all sorts.
--Jill Lightner
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Kindred
Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond Between Humans & Animals Can Change the
Way We Live (Allen
M. Schoen, DVM, MS, 2002) Treating animals just as any healer would
treat human beings, Allen Schoen has become one of America’s most
celebrated veterinarians. Kindred Spirits shares the transformative power
of his remarkable methods, explores how alternative healing is
revolutionizing his profession, and, in the tradition of James Herriot,
shares heartwarming stories of animals and their caretakers who have
deeply enriched each other’s lives. Through moving scenes–such as an
ailing German shepherd who fights to stay alive so he can assist and
comfort his ailing human companion–Schoen details the ways in which the
human-animal bond can provide a wellspring of love and support, and
outlines his own special prescription for improving the care we give our
animals through adopting simple healing practices at home. A remarkable
new synthesis of science and spirit, Kindred Spirits at last reveals the
many ways our animal friends can help us lead happier, healthier, more
fulfilling lives.
Allen M. Schoen, D.V.M., M.S., is a pioneer in natural veterinary medicine
and the human-animal bond. One of the most sought-after doctors of
veterinary medicine in the nation, he lectures at conferences and retreats
worldwide, and is the author of three other books, including Love,
Miracles, and Animal Healing. An adjunct professor at Tufts University
School of Veterinary Medicine and an affiliate faculty member at Colorado
State University College of Veterinary Medicine, he lives in Sherman,
Connecticut.
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 Horse Nation: True Stories About Horses and People
(Teresa Tsimmu Martino, 2004) "The horses are blessed, chosen by God."
Teresa Martino took the words her father whispered to her as a child to
heart, and for more than 40 years has lived and worked with horses,
hearing their stories and learning their lessons. In Horse Nation, she
tells of the heroes and the fallen, the defiant and the healers, the
gentle pony and the angry stallion: Casey, the blood bay, who jumped a
teenage girl over her mother's car in a rite of passage; Icy, a black
mare, strong and independent, who embodied the circle of life; and The
Corinthian, a gray gelding, defining what it means to be a champion. She
writes also of the riders, grooms, coaches, and students who have walked
and breathed the equine path like acolytes. Martino's poems and sketches
further illuminate this lyrical exploration of the unique relationship
between horse and human. |
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 The
Tao Of Equus: A Woman's Journey of Healing Through the Way of the Horse
(Linda Kohanov, 2001) The Tao of Equus, which
literally translates as "the way of the horse," explores the possibility
that horses are highly evolved, spiritual beings who offer humans
opportunities for healing and personal growth. Linda Kohanov is the owner
of Epona Equestrian Services, an Arizona-based collective of trainers and
counselors that explore the therapeutic potential of equestrian pursuits.
Although she does discuss horse training and horse behavior, Kohanov is
most interested in what horses can teach us. Moving beyond the realm of
horse whispering, Kohanov studies how horses awaken intuition in humans
while also mirroring our unspoken feelings and fears. At its core, this
book reminds us to be mindful as we approach the horse-human relationship.
Like human-to-human relationships, we have to do our own personal and
spiritual work before we can expect to create a meaningful and cooperative
interspecies connection. Kohanov is a steadfast writer who isn't shy about
claiming a strong feminine approach, showing how mythology and history are
filled with examples of powerful woman-horse connections. She also has the
courage to reveal her paranormal experiences with these intensely
emotional and intuitive animals--stories that may sound familiar to anyone
who has ever loved and dreamed of horses. --Gail Hudson
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Riding
Between the Worlds: Expanding Our Potential Through the Way of the Horse
(Linda Kohanov, 2003) In 2001 author and horse trainer Linda
Kohanov wrote The Tao of Equus — a daring multidisciplinary exploration of
the powerful spiritual, emotional, and psychological connections between
people and horses. Its provocative narrative, blending her story of
prescient dreams and ancestral communication with a wide-ranging
exploration of equine-facilitated therapy practices, created a worldwide
demand for her workshops and lectures. She also received more than 1,000
letters from readers around the world describing their own strange and
wonderful experiences with horses. In Riding Between the Worlds, Kohanov
continues sharing the story of her own journey of healing and
transformation and further develops the ideas introduced in The Tao of
Equus, bolstering her groundbreaking theories with anecdotal evidence.
Where her previous book laid the theoretical groundwork for expanding our
emotional, mental, and spiritual view of horses, Riding Between the Worlds
concentrates on the extraordinary stories that support this view. |
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The
Man Who Talks to Dogs: The Story of America's Wild Street Dogs and Their
Unlikely Savior (Melinda Roth, 2002) Reader review: One of
the nicest and most lovable things that people do is to take care of dogs.
Everyone knows how devoted dogs are to their owners (for which the word
"guardians" is being used by those who do not like to think of such noble
and friendly animals as property) and how devoted the humans are to their
dogs. But like anything else that humans do, there are people that mess
things up, and in some cases, mess things up horrifyingly. There are dogs
who are mistreated and abandoned, and there are not enough shelters to
take care of all the strays. Countless dogs end up officially killed
because culling them is the sad best solution to a problem dogs didn't
cause and humans did. There are people who are making a difference, and in
_The Man Who Talks to Dogs: The Story of America's Wild Street Dogs and
Their Unlikely Savior_ (Thomas Dunne Books), Melinda Roth has given a
touching portrait of an unlikely, flawed, and genuinely gifted dog-lover
who is getting help for helpless dogs.
Randy Grim is the founder of Stray Rescue in St. Louis, a position he
describes as being captain of a punctured life raft. He is a bundle of
phobias. "I have to take one Xanax for driving, one and a half for
shopping malls, two for walking through an airport, and three if I have to
_eat_ in an airport." But he can do things like drive, even over feared
bridges, without anxiety if he is on duty rescuing dogs. There is a good
deal of unpleasant but essential reporting here, a good deal about what
happens to dogs bred for the "sport" of dogfighting, and dogs from puppy
mills. Grim drives out into the wilds of the city to try to befriend the
dogs and eventually corral them into his care. He meets some cast-off
humans as well, and helps them when he can; he knows he should feel more
sorry for people, but he knows there are other agencies doing that:
"Nobody is worrying about these dogs out here who don't know how to hunt
or how to fend for themselves or how to survive."
The dogs go to Grim's basement for basic care and beginning lessons in
associating with humans. A friendly lawyer helped get Grim's efforts
certified as a non-profit organization, and some news stories helped get
the word out so that he now has a group of dedicated foster parents to
nurture terrified, injured, and crazy dogs fresh off the streets. The dogs
are finally adopted out, and plenty of the adoptions work out well for all
concerned. Grim has become a national figure in the dog rescue world.
There is a hilarious account of an Animal Planet crew sent to film his
adventures in catching strays ("Look! I'm being filmed _and_ driving
across a bridge, and I'm not freaking out."). When the story aired, there
was more recognition, which meant more people called him to pick up dogs,
but also more donations and more volunteers. "I'm not perfect," Grim says,
"but I know that if it wasn't for the dogs, I would have ended up a lost
soul with a bleak life." This is a lovely story of redemption, of lost
dogs and a lost man who made a difference helping each other. |
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FOR PEOPLE: INSPIRATIONAL;
SPIRITUAL; ENLIGHTENMENT |
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Sisters,
Long Ago (Peg Kehret, 1990) While written for children
(grades 5-8), adults will also enjoy the topics covered.
From School Library Journal:
When 13-year-old Willow nearly drowns, she has visions of herself in
another life in ancient Egypt--as Kalos, a young girl living by the Nile
River. Her present-day rescuer, a stranger to Willow, also appears in
the visions, as Tiy, a beloved sister. Later, as Willow reflects on her
near-death experience, she decides to search for the girl, with whom she
now feels a strong bond. Meanwhile, her own sister, Sarah, is
hospitalized with leukemia and seems to have lost her will to live. Willow
does some investigating, including attending a meeting of people who
believe in reincarnation, and finds her rescuer, Helen, through a
personal ad in the newspaper. As if this were not enough to sustain
readers' interest, there is also a subplot that involves a dognapping
neighbor who steals dogs and then returns them to the unsuspecting
owners for a hefty reward. This appealing story moves along briskly,
with all the various pieces of the plot hanging nicely together. Willow
and her best friend are likable, interesting characters in their own
right. Even Sarah and Helen, who appear only briefly, are fairly well
developed. Reincarnation is presented here as a highly believable and
attractive theory. Willow is firmly convinced that she once lived as
Kalos, and some may find her beliefs to be naive or overly sentimental.
It will be hard to find fault, though, with Willow's parting comments:
"I know that life is like the carnival, full of music and laughter and
joy. All I have to do is open the door and experience it." Suspense is
maintained up to the very end, making this a page-turner in the same
vein as Kehert's Deadly Stranger. (Dodd, 1987). It is reminiscent of
Lois Duncan's A Gift of Magic. (Archway, 1981). By Bruce Anne Shook,
Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
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 The
Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure (James Redfield, 1997) Redfield's
debut is a fast-paced adventure in New Age territory that plays like a
cross between Raiders of the Lost Ark and Moses's trek up Mt. Sinai.
Originally self-published, the book sold phenomenally, sparked by word of
mouth, and may be this year's The Bridges of Madison County --with which
it shares some regrettable stylistic similarities. The saga begins when
the unnamed middle-aged male narrator whimsically quits his nondescript
life to track down an ancient Peruvian manuscript (pretentiously called
the Manuscript) containing nine Insights that supposedly prophesy the
modern emergence of New Age spirituality. South of the border, he
encounters resistance from the Peruvian government and church authorities,
who believe the document will undermine traditional family values. While
dodging evil soldiers, paranoid priests and pseudoscientific researchers,
our hero sequentially discovers all nine Insights during a series of
chance encounters. Redfield has a real talent for page-turning action, and
his lightweight quest employs auras, energy transfers and other psychic
phenomena. But several of the Insights are incredibly vacuous and
politically correct, and long stretches of dialogue are banal and cliched.
The book ends with the protagonist poised to discover the 10th Insight in
a promised sequel. 250,000 first printing; BOMC selection; author tour.
[Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.] |
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The Tenth Insight: Holding the Vision (James Redfield, 1998)
Reader's review: "James Redfield, in The Celestine Prophecy and The
Tenth Insight, has given us the greatest gift we could hope to
receive...the meaning of life. Those who doubt the truth and validity of
the insights are simply not ready to accept the changes to come.
Redfield's books have changed thousands of lives, and given spiritual
awareness to many previously-professed atheists/agnostics. If you only
read these books for the excitement of the "adventure," you will be
entertained, at the very least. In my opinion, any reader will stop and
contemplate life more than they had previously. That makes every reader
more conscious, which raises our collective consciousness! (One step at a
time...)" |
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Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue - Book 1 (Neale
Donald Walsch, 1996) Reader review: "The series of books he has
written are fantastic. I think that more than anything they are a
philosophical and spiritual journey that everyone from the atheist to the
right-wing extremist christian, to jews and muslims, can enjoy. It's meant
to make you think - to make you ponder something greater than self, yet
involve self directly in the process of something marvelous - something
almost miraculous. The books are a journey and I highly recommend that you
take them. You may wish to ban the books outright - many do as you will
see from the reviews. Then again, a closed mind is a wonderful thing to
lose, and you have nothing (save for maybe that closed mind) to lose by
reading the series. Enjoy these books. Whether you believe it's a
conversation with god or merely philosophical rhetoric from the common
man, at least in the end the books will leave you enlightened, fascinated,
and still questioning all that which makes up the greater universe." |
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Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue - Book 2 (Neal Donald
Walsch, 1997) In Conversations with God: Book II, Neale Walsch and God
resume their discussion and move on to larger topics than the personal
issues addressed in their previous dialogue in Volume 1. For an "unedited
transcript" of a conversation, Book II is remarkably well organized and
articulate, as if Walsch anticipatd our "but what about" questions before
we asked them. The peculiar pair discuss time, space, politics, and even
kinky sex, but Conversations with God: Book II isn't here for just shock
value. It is an honest look at some of the broad issues important to all
of us on the planet, and a suggestion of how things might go if we are all
willing to open our minds and have our own conversations with divinity.
Resuming the dialogue where Book 1 left off, Conversations with God, Book
2 moves from personal issues to more global and political concerns.
Included are questions about the nature of time and space and human
sexuality, as well as geophysical and geopolitical considerations of
worldwide implication.
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Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue - Book 3 (Neale
Donald Walsch, 1998) Reader review: "These books speak to the part
of us that we seldom acknowledge. They speak to our soul. I am so often
moved by the words in these books for this reason. They touch a part of me
that goes beyond any words or reason. I don't know what kind of things I
can say to communicate what these books mean to me. They simply have shown
me what is true, and brought great peace, joy, and love into my life." |
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The New Revelations: A Conversation
with God (Neale Donald Walsch, 2002) Best-selling inspirational
writer Walsch has another "conversation with God," this time focusing on
the aggression and dogma that plague the world. Addressing events such as
Matthew Shepard's death, the deaths of 15 girls in Saudi Arabia who were
forced to stay in a burning school because of "incorrect" dress, and the
terrorist events of September 11, 2001, Walsch guides individuals to take
an active role in changing the world by changing their beliefs. The text
contains four lists, including "Five Steps to Peace" and "Nine New
Revelations," which encourage readers to treat the cause of world problems
instead of bandaging the symptoms. Walsch does not advocate replacing
beliefs, such as those rooted in the Bible, Qu'ran, or Bhagavad-Gita but
instead suggests that we become aware of how those beliefs can lead to
dysfunctional behaviors. In advocating a change in current religious
mindsets, Walsch will be considered blasphemous by some readers, but his
ideas make practical sense and allow for an alternative take on creating
world harmony. In-person workshops and online courses are offered at
www.conversationswithgod.org.
Libraries should expect heavy interest in this latest conversation from
Walsch.
Leo Kriz, West Des Moines P.L. [Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information,
Inc.]
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Your
Own Worst Enemy: Breaking the Habit of Adult Underachievement (Kenneth
W. Christian, PhD, 2002) "People seem embarrassed about stating their dreams, and
more devoted to squelching them than in pursuing them."
Do you suffer from any of the following?
- Procrastination
- Wide swings of mood and self-esteem
- Ambivalence in making decisions
- Dreaming big, but never following through
If you or someone you love isn't
living up to his or her potential -- and suffers from even one or two of
the above feelings -- here is a program that can help. Your Own Worst
Enemy is the first book devoted to the problem of adult
underachievement, a problem stemming from common behavior patterns that
can manifest itself in almost every walk of life -- from twentysomethings
stuck in dead-end jobs to outwardly successful businesspeople who can't
help feeling they've missed their true calling.
In Your Own Worst Enemy, Dr. Kenneth Christian details the telltale
signs of what he calls self-limiting behavior -- everyday habits that can
seem harmless (like taking unchallenging jobs) or even worthwhile (like
setting absurdly high standards), but that over time can send
high-potential people into a tailspin of dead ends and frustration. He
identifies underachieving types, from charmers, who substitute
congeniality for effort, to extreme risk-takers, who casually gamble their
future away, to best-or-nothings, who refuse to play if they can't win.
And he offers practical 15-step guide to help underachievers shake off
their old habits and start taking an active hand in their own future.
Filled with persuasive case studies and useful advice on everything from
overhauling workspace to remaking self-image, Your Own Worst Enemy
will help underachievers everywhere visualize their goals, break through
their barriers, and start realizing their unlimited potential.
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The Invitation (Oriah Mountain Dreamer, 1999) "The Invitation"
is a declaration of intent, a map into the longing of the soul, the desire
to live passionately, face-to-face with ourselves and skin-to-skin with
the world around us, to settle for nothing less than what is real."
-from The Invitation
Shared by word of mouth, quoted on the World Wide Web, recited over the
radio, and read aloud at spiritual conferences and other gatherings, "The
Invitation" has been passed along by thousands who have discovered and
treasured its unique message. Now Oriah Mountain Dreamer expands on her
beloved prose poem, presenting a powerful and inspirational challenge to
all of us who long for true intimacy and joy.
Speaking from the heart, Oriah Mountain Dreamer invites us to confront the
varieties of human experience, from desire and commitment to sorrow and
betrayal, and challenges us to open repeatedly to love and life. Unique,
practical, and often surprising, The Invitation is an invaluable guide to
living the ecstasy of everyday life, learning to recognize true beauty in
ourselves and the world, and finding the sustenance our spirit longs for.
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The
Dance: Moving to the Rhythms of Your True Self (Oriah Mountain Dreamer,
2001) "What if the question is not why am I so infrequently the person I
really want to be, but why do I so infrequently want to be the person I
really am?" This is the opening question to The Dance. And like a thematic
melody, this is the thread that holds Oriah Mountain Dreamer's book
together, as she encourages readers to stop trying to change who you are
and simply remember that "who you are is really enough." There are many
reasons Mountain Dreamer is such a popular author (her debut book, The
Invitation, was a soaring success), the main one being she doesn't pretend
to have all the answers. Instead her warm, conversational writing shows us
how to "live the questions," as the poet Rainer Maria Rilke once beckoned
us to do. When Mountain Dreamer yells at her 19-year-old son, even after
vowing to be patient, she asks herself, "Why [do] I repeatedly fail to
live the intentions that matter to me? I want to know how to narrow the
gap between the sincerest desires of my soul and my daily actions." Living
these questions isn't easy, but it is the only way Mountain Dreamer wants
to dance. Her chapters explore topics such as greed and money, creating
love relationships, overscheduling, and solitude. At the end of each
chapter she suggests a fitting mediation or exercise. --Gail Hudson
[Amazon.com's Best of 2001 book selections]
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Anyway:
The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning In a Crazy World
(Kent M. Keith, Spencer Johnson, 2002) As the story goes, author Kent M.
Keith was a sophomore at Harvard University in the 1960s when he first
wrote "The Paradoxical Commandments," a manifesto about doing good in a
crazy, ungrateful world. These commandments are the basis of his
repackaged and expanded book Anyway. Since his Harvard days, Keith's
commandments have taken on a life of their own. They have been quoted by
the Boy Scouts of America and written on inspirational office memos,
classroom handouts, and Internet sites around the world. They have even
been discovered in Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta. Now Keith
has stepped forward to explain his commandments and speak to his credo for
doing "the right thing." Readers will probably recognize the commandments:
1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them
anyway.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do
good anyway.
3. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by
the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few
underdogs anyway.
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help
people anyway.
10. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
No doubt about it--these are provocative and encouraging statements,
reminding us that there are no guarantees or tangible rewards for doing
good in the world. Each commandment gets its own chapter, where Keith
elaborates on the theme with personal anecdotes, famous stories, and
advice. Though Keith is obviously a gifted and wise leader, the words and
explanations surrounding each commandment often feel like overkill. As in
Robert Fulghum's All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,
these guidelines ultimately make a better poster than a book. Even so,
fans of the original "Paradoxical Commandments" will certainly enjoy
meeting the voice and integrity of the man behind the words. --Gail
Hudson
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The
Walk-In: An Inspiring Story of a Spiritual Homecoming
(Juelle Wilkins, 1995). Juelle and her
husband, Donovan, are dear friends of mine and have been fabulous teachers
and mentors over the years. Juelle channels the Counsel of 12 (see
Other Service Providers for more
information). This is an eye-opening book! From the back cover, " 'In one
remarkable exchange of spirits, Shari's soul left her body and Juelle's
soul moved in.' And so begins the straightforward personal account of
The Walk-In, a narrative that describes the life of Shari as a girl,
wife and mother, and the amazing story of Juelle, the woman Shari became.
Are Walk-Ins more enlightened souls from God's reservoir of marvels who
change places with a soul that is tired and yearns to go home? Has
the universe throughout history sent spiritual messengers to change places
with original souls whose human manifestations have divine tasks to
perform? These and dozes of other perplexing, fundamental questions
are addressed in The Walk-In, the marvelous, gentle and compelling
story of Shari and Juelle, whose transformation may be an everyday miracle
on earth."
A reader's comment: "Some books
change your life. And sometimes they're the ones you least expect to have
an impact. I bought "The Walk-In" because I'd met the author when I stayed
at her B & B in Crestone, Colorado. Although I'm a deeply spiritual
person, I shy away from things too "New Agey," and the concept of a
walk-in certainly fit that category. But I liked Juelle, and as a writer,
I was curious about what she had written. Well, I started the book on the
airplane, and I was riveted from the first page. Not only is the book
extremely well written (something that as a creative writing teacher and
an editor I very much appreciate), but it's written with such honesty and
candor, that I found myself seriously considering what Juelle had to say.
Now, one might say that my reaction grew out of knowing the author, but I
read both the prologue and a chapter called "My Purpose" to my husband who
prides himself on his scientific approach to the world ("skeptical, but
not closed-minded"), and he, too, found himself considering walk-ins as a
real possibility for the first time in his life. But it isn't just the way
Juelle talks about the walk-in experience that makes this book so
compelling. "The Walk-In" contains a philosophy for living life that one
can turn to over and over again and be enriched by every time. I would
love to have just the chapter called "My Purpose" in a small bedside book
that I could pick up and read each night before I sleep. It is one of the
most profound and powerful pieces I have ever read - a spiritual manifesto
that could change the world overnight if people only had the chance to
read it. Thank you, Juelle, for touching my life to the core. I will never
be the same, and I'm glad for it. Namaste."
To order, contact Juelle at (719)
256-4223, or send a check for $14.95 plus $4 shipping to POB 476, Crestone,
Colorado 81131 |
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Welcome
to Planet Earth: A Guide for Walk-Ins, Starseeds and Lightworkers of All
Varieties (Hannah Beaconsfield, 1998) Reader review: "This
book presents everything you need to know about the pathway to spiritual
development in a well organized, intelligent, easy to read format. All
your questions are anwsered and explanations given to gently lead you
through the minefield of metaphysical buzz words and concepts. A brilliant
guidebook to the Millennium and the coming Age Of Reason."
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Walk-Ins/Soul
Exchange (Karyn K. Mitchell, Tammy Gramont, 1999) Reader
review: "Anyone with an
interest in this subject will find this book absolutely fascinating. The
descriptions and characteristics of walk-ins and soul exchanges are
detailed and easily understood, but the case histories kept me riveted to
the book. This book speaks to the soul and renews the realization that the
universe has many different dimensions, life scenarios and plans. I loved
this book!"
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Messages
From Your Angels: What Your Angels Want You To Know (Doreen
Virtue, 2002) This book is a sequel to the best-selling “Angel Therapy,”
this is a channeled book that contains uplifting and fresh information
from the angelic realm. Doreen Virtue, Ph.D., is a spiritual
psychotherapist who works with the angelic realm, including the fairies.
She is the bestselling author of many books and audiocassettes |
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How
to Read Signs and Omens in Everyday Life (Sarvananda Bluestone,
PhD, 2001) Discover your psychic powers and learn to use the wonders of
nature and the world around you as magical tools of divination.
* Practical and enjoyable exercises help readers reconnect with their
innate psychic sensitivity.
* Includes 75 methods and practices of divination from around the world.
Since the beginning of time, diviners and seers have been finding signs
and omens in the world around them--in pools of water, tea leaves,
delicate patterns of cracked animal bones, and the ripples of clouds in
the sky. Because these observers have been able to tap into a deeper level
of awareness, they have come to sense hidden truths in powerful and
mysterious ways. In modern times we call those who possess these abilities
"psychic," but native cultures accepted that each of us has an innate
sixth sense and can learn how to read the forces of nature that appear
before us.
In this fascinating and enlightening guide, historian and psychic
Sarvananda Bluestone shows us how our innate knowledge can be
rediscovered, allowing us to become far more in tune with our surroundings
than we ever dreamed possible. He teaches us to use everyday objects and
the wonders of nature as magical tools that offer a window into the
future--and ourselves. Whether watching birds cross the morning sky or
divining the subtle energies of the earth, you will see the world in an
entirely new light. Filled with practical exercises, How to Read Signs and
Omens in Everyday Life demonstrates how the discovery of the power within
ourselves requires nothing more than a little guidance and a willingness
to see.
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The
Right Questions: The Essential Questions to Guide You to An Extraordinary
Life (Debbie Ford, 2003) Reader review: "I can't believe
how much this book has changed my life in such a short time (and I've
tried a lot of self help books). By asking myself these questions on a
daily basis I have completely shifted how I look at myself, my choices, my
responsibilities, and my options! I'm creating exactly what I want in my
life, instead of having my "default map" lead me to the same dead ends
over and over and not knowing why. People have noticed the change in me
and I couldn't be more excited about my life. Believe me, buying this book
will be the best investment you've ever made!"
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DEALING WITH LOSS AND GRIEF |
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The
Daisy Sutra
(Helen Weaver, 2000) The Daisy Sutra is Helen Weaver's memoir of her dog Daisy
and the true story of her discovery of animal communication. One reviewer
called it"a deep and touching story of the soul bond of a human being and her
dog through death and beyond." It is illustrated with twenty-five pen and ink
drawings by artist Alan McKnight. It includes an interview with an animal
communicator, a special message to skeptics, and a list of recommended
resources.
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Goodbye,
Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet (Gary Kowalski,
1997) After
Gary Kowalski, author and the minister of Burlington Vermont's Unitarian
Universalist church, completed his new book, Goodbye, Friend, on
dealing with losing your pet, his own elderly dog, Chinook, died. In his first
book, The Souls of Animals, Kowalski wrote: "My own wise friend is my
dog. He has deep knowledge to impart." Apparently, Chinook did his good work
up until the end. Kowalski's new book is full of sound, compassionate advice
to get you through the loss of your pet(s). Included are ideas for rituals and
ceremonies, spiritual guidance and readings and poems to use for solace. The
author's voice is a soothing one, not surprising for a minister whose job it
is to be wise and reflective. The book also addresses animals' grieving; their
life spans; their growth, illnesses and needs. These are similar to ours: need
to eat, to exercise, to sleep, to have fun, to enjoy companionship and to
expect routine. Kowalski includes advice on how to take care of yourself after
the death of a pet and the importance of honesty when talking with children
about this event. Kowalski's book is not only useful for healing when a good
friend dies, but also reasserts his primary message: that animals are
important, that "pets are not petty," that they deserve our respect and our
kind care. As Kowalski writes, "Animals enrich our lives in countless ways,
with their playfulness, their tranquility [sic], their constancy, and their
love..." This book will help readers mourn and remember them well.
Independent Publisher
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Blessing
the Bridge: What Animals Teach Us About Death, Dying and Beyond (Rita M. Reynolds;
foreward by Gary Kowalski, 2001) Like a hospice worker, author Rita M.
Reynolds cares for sick and dying animals, helping them comfortably cross the
threshold into death. At times, Blessing the Bridge reads like a kindly vet's
instruction book, teaching basic skills in respectfully handling a dying
animal, whether it's a newborn bird that's fallen from its nest or a beloved
dog that's terminally ill. Readers learn ways to make an animal comfortable,
such as laying wild animals to rest in beds of flowers or letting domestic
animals die in a human's arms. What separates Reynolds from other authors that
write about caring for sick and dying animals is her willingness to take the
process into a more intuitive and spiritual realm. Reynolds offers suggestions
for how to dialogue with dying animals to find out their preferences--whether
they wish to die on their own or die through the mercy of euthanasia. She also
believes in divine and angelic influences when it comes to helping animals
cross over: "Much like the physician or midwife who helps the mother and
infant through the birthing process, the angelic ones stand ready to assist
those who are dying, but from the other side to speak, waiting on the spirit
side of the bridge called death." There is no question in Reynolds's mind that
animals possess unique souls or that they move onto an afterlife. She even
tells of seeing the spirits of dead animals visiting her. Many of her lessons
are conveyed through real-life stories, where we witness how she
simultaneously releases and embraces dying animals. Like The Tibetan Book of
the Dead, this book has functional appeal and spiritual longevity. Reynolds
shows us how to ritualize and soothe animals' deaths, while also offering us
abiding wisdom about life on earth. --Gail Hudson [one of Amazon.com's
Best of 2001 book selections]
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Cold
Noses at the Pearly Gates (Gary Kurz, 1997) Employing his Bible
education and more than 20,000 hours of personal Bible study, the author
thoughtfully and convincingly addresses a question that is often on our minds,
but seldom uttered aloud, that of animal afterlife.
Customer Review:
"Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates is a thoughtful and very highly recommended
treatise by Gary Kurz on the subject of an animal afterlife. A positive and
uplifting book that embraces the notion that God loves, cares, and provides
for all his creations, Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates is a profound and
thoughtful treatise offering especial hope and insight to pet lovers
everywhere."
If you would like to purchase an
autographed copy directly from Gary, go to
www.coldnosesbook.com
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Cold
Noses II: Examining More Evidence (Gary Kurz, 2001) Cold Noses II is
not so much a sequel to Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates as it is an amplifier
of the concepts and ideas of that work. He also tackles tough questions from a
Biblical perspective, such as whether reincarnation is possible/real, whether
animals return to us and much more. Thought-provoking and insightful, this and
his first book are well worth reading whether or not you follow a Christian
based lifestyle. If you
would like to purchase an autographed copy directly from Gary, go to
www.coldnosesbook.com
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Animals and the Afterlife: True Stories of Our Best Friends' Journey Beyond
Death
(Kim Sheridan, 2004) Do animals have souls? What happens when they die? This
book offers some amazing answers…
This subject has been the author's lifelong passion, and she has made it her
personal quest to find the answers. Kim Sheridan grew up with animals as her
constant companions. Each time she faced the death of a beloved animal, along
with the pain came the same questions, to which she could find no answers.
Then, mysterious things began to happen which she could not explain.
Unable to dismiss these events, Kim embarked upon what became an incredible
journey to uncover the truth. Along with her own extraordinary experiences,
she compiled the amazing true stories of everyday people around the world. She
discovered overwhelming evidence that forever erased her own doubts of an
afterlife for animals. Today she is a highly respected and sought after expert
on life after death for animals, and much of her time is devoted not only to
animals but to those who are left behind when they pass.
Her long-awaited book presents heartwarming and meaningful true stories that
offer compelling evidence of an afterlife for animals. Her work provides
tremendous comfort and reassurance to anyone who has ever loved an animal, and
food for thought for anyone who has ever questioned the place of animals in
the larger scheme of things, both here on earth and in the afterlife.
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The
Soul of Your Pet: Evidence for the Survival of Animals After Death
(Scott S. Smith, 1998)
Customer's Review:
"The pain, the terrible sense of loss, the tears I shed- the depths of despair
I felt after losing my loving little dogs! It was such a boon to me when a
good friend put together his book on pet souls. I read books that offered
great comfort but I really needed more. I wanted proof that I would see my
pets again but that seemed impossible to me. Before the book was finished I
had already seen so many people's stories about encountering their beloved
four-legged (or 2-legged) friends after they had died. I was very impressed
when I heard that sometimes the living pets sensed and reacted to them too. I
talked to some of the people as well. There is no doubt in my mind these
things happened. A very important reason Scott had in writing the book was
that he hoped that both Christian and non-Christian researchers who exploit
animals in labs and elsewhere would step back and take a serious look at how
God values them. Even the non-believers will not be able to give a reasonable
alternative explanation for a lot the stories in this book. It is clear that
animals are important enough in God's scheme of things to go on after they
have left us. The Lord gave them souls. They will resurrect just as we will.
He writes also of their intelligence and wide-range of emotions. I have no
doubt our pets will be in Heaven. They are going to all praise Him it says in
the Book of Revelations. Since God's throne is in Heaven I assume that is
where they will do this. Also, I have read of near-death-experiences where
people have seen them there. And fter all, could it really be Heaven without
those wonderful animal companions who gave us such unconditional love?"
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The
Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies
[New Revised and Expanded Edition] (Wallace Sife,
PhD, 1998) The Loss of a Pet New Revised and Expanded Edition Sadly, all
living things die. While you can never be completely prepared for that time,
what is offered by Dr. Wallace Sife in these pages can help you draw upon new
strength to ease your grief and pain. In this fully revised and expanded
edition of the award-winning book The Loss of a Pet, Dr. Sife, one of the
pioneering authors and counselors in the field of pet bereavement, covers all
viewpoints of bereavement for a beloved animal companion. This book includes
practical suggestions, as well as brief case histories, and illustrates the
insights that Dr. Sife has gleaned from his many years of experience. In
addition to helping the reader cope with the death of a much-loved pet, The
Loss of a Pet addresses pet losses that are not death-related. Dr. Sife has
specially designed this book to help you learn more about yourself through the
grieving process and to successfully cope with this unique kind of loving and
grief—and, most importantly, to help you realize that you are not alone.
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Surviving
the Heartbreak of Choosing Death for Your Pet (Linda Mary Peterson,
1997)
Customer Review:
"This book was extremely helpful! Having to choose death for my best friend of
20 years was incredibly painful and brought feelings of guilt, despair, relief
and depression. At the time, I felt I might just be loosing my mind. This book
helped me work through all of my feelings. It gave me a peaceful feeling. It
let me know, that I was not alone. There are a number of useful references in
the back. I really can't recommend this book enough. I was so helped by this
book that I have since made it available to my local vet's office."
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For Children
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Remembering
Pets: A Book for Children Who Have Lost a Pet (Gina Dalpra-Berman,
Barbara Hoss-Schneider, 2001).
Customer Reviews: "Gina Dalpra-Berman's
vivid children's picturebook, Remembering Pets, is written specifically
for young people who have lost a treasured animal companion. It is about
remembering the joys shared with a favorite bird, dog, cat, turtle, or
other creature that bestowed unconditional love upon its owner.
Remembering Pets tells a young person that it is OK to grieve for the loss
of a beloved animal, and to embrace the joys of a new pet. Highly
recommended for any child who has outlived his or her cherished animal
friend."
"Most of us have lost a pet, many of us
at a time when we shared that loss with children. The text and
illustrations of this book can help children deal with that situation. The
book is honest and comforting, helping kids to think about how important
their pet was, but also the value in having had that pet, and how those
memories can continue to enrich our lives."
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Dog
Heaven (Cynthia Rylant, 1995) Ages 3^-6. Taking a less temporal
approach to the subject of death than did Viorst in her homey tale The
Tenth Good Thing about Barney (1971), Rylant sweeps beyond the here
and now into a brightly colored place she calls Dog Heaven. In this
joyfully imagined place, God is a smiling, white-haired gentleman who
watches the goings-on as dogs run and bark, play with kids, eat dog
biscuits in cat shapes, and sleep on fluffy clouds. It's also a place
where dogs patiently wait for old friends: "They will be there at the
door. Angel dogs." Rylant's kindergarten concept of the hereafter is
cheerful but not humorous or glib. The story seems quietly and deeply
rooted in faith, but it is neither sober nor sentimental, and the notion
of a higher being is blended naturally into the text in an unpretentious,
comforting way. The bright acrylic paintings are Rylant's debut as a
picture-book painter; reminiscent of the artwork of very young children,
they mesh beautifully with the innocence of the text (which is actually
less a story than a series of descriptions), with their vivid rainbow
colors turning the sometimes scary mystery of dying into an adventure
spent with happy, welcoming four-footed friends. A book for parent-child
sharing and discussion. Stephanie Zvirin
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All
God's Creatures Go to Heaven
(Amy Nolfo-Wheeler, N.A. Noel, 1996) "Here we entrust the children angels with the care of these
loyal animals. This is because little chidren and all of these lovely pets
have very similar souls." "Children and animals are both innocent; they
need our gentle care, respect and love. Children and animals are two of God's
greatest gifts to the world; their love is honest and true. Animals are a
blessing Jacob, just like you." "~ and the special purpose of all little
children in Heaven is being trusted with the care of a pet.... We know that
children can give animals loving attention until they are reunited with their
human companions. At that time, you will receive a new animal to love."
The angel paintings of artist Nancy
Noel beautifully portray Amy Nolfo-Wheeler's story of Jacob, a child angel on
a journey of discovery. This keepsake book, in heavenly color, features a
glow-in-the-dark cover. An inspiring message of hope and joy for children and
other youthful spirits.
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