Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Just Like Heaven
Picture Book Series
For ages 5 and up
Little Brown, 2006 ISBN: 978-0316114936
Once day, in typical cat fashion, Mooch the cat falls asleep under a tree. When he wakes up he is surrounded by a thick fog. Not being able to see a thing around him Mooch decides that he must be in heaven. Soon he decides to explore this new place that he is in. Through the fog Mooch smells the perfume of flowers, he hears birds singing, he hears children playing in a playground, and he can just make out the figures of "friendly neighbors" in a town. When he comes face to face with a fierce barking dog and instead of running away, Mooch gives the dog a big hug. After all isn?t that what you are supposed to do when you are in heaven?
Worn out by his explorations Mooch takes another nap and wakes up under his tree in the company of his best friend Earl the dog. In the warmth of the sun Mooch realizes that his world and the foggy "heaven" world that he explored not long ago are not all that different. Could it be that his world is really heaven too?
There are times when we forget how lucky we are. We forget to consider the good things that fill our days, the wonderful people who love us, and the beauty that fills our world. This book offers up a gentle reminder that heaven may not be that far away and that all we have to do is to look around with fresh eyes and a receptive heart.
Delightfully minimal illustrations, the simplest of texts, and a powerful message makes this a picture book which is suitable for readers of all ages.
