Book Review: He Always Hears- A Story of Loss and the Hope of Things Made New is a new book from Crossway, Written by Alyson Punzi and Illustrated by Tyler Charlton. This book approaches the aspects of grief in a gentle way that will bring comfort to children and adults alike. The book is aimed toward children aged 3-8 years-old. If you find it hard to discuss the goodness of God in some of the hard realities of life – take heart. This book is an open door to God’s faithfulness and willingness to listen to our heart cries of deep lament, over losses of all size and shape. Let me share a bit more.
The story opens up with care-free, Jane, an adventurer, loved by her family and assured of God’s love. Over the course of the story Jane deals with loss. As the we turn the pages the losses grow in intensity. From the small to large, to life-sized. With each of the losses her family reminds her of of God’s love, and encourages young Jane in talking to her heavenly Father.
“Because God made us and saved us, we hope in what is true, he promises that, one day, what’s broken, he’ll make new.”
In addition to the tender, economy of words, we have the artwork, which will draw children in. There is space without words, for the things that sometimes have no words. As we move to the heart of this book, which reminds me of holding space, but in a child’s version. Lament, as the author explains in the back pages, is “crying out to God about what it feels like to live in a broken world”.
The message: God made us, God saved us. We can tell God how much it hurts, He promises that, one day, what’s broken he’ll make new. In the clear, beautiful presentation of these truths, we see a theological bridge built through story and art aimed toward the heart.
I believe this book would be a resource for grieving parents and children, as they wrestle with suffering, loss and death. Although the story tells of one parent (Dad) being ill and in the hospital, there is never a mention of death or even dying, but there is allusion, and in the authors pages in the back we learn more of the circumstances which inspired the book. The strength of the story is in the space where the artwork stands alone, and also in the simple verses that tell these losses, from a damaged toy, to a friend who moves far away, and to the unknowing that comes when family members are ill. These are common to all, and provide ample opportunity to speak into the painful, broken spaces so well. This book is a grief book, no doubt. It will prepare young ones to go to God with their hurting heart, and that is a lesson which is greatly needed, for adults who have forgotten too!
I think this book is good for families who are dealing with all kinds of grief, long-term illness or sudden loss. But it’s also a wonderful treasure filled with practical theological application. These are timeless lessons bound in a beautifully illustrated children’s book. Wisdom to ponder, and pass on.
As always, I appreciate and thank you for reading this review. I received this book through Crossway’s review program. Thank you to Crossway for sending this book, and for providing a plethora of great resources for Christians on a regular basis.
Thanks again-see you on the next post!
Enthusiastically, Dawn
Enthusiastically, Dawn 