Wait Until Then: A Picture Book About Heaven

As a leading authority on heaven, author Randy Alcorn weaves an inspirational tale of a boy, Nathan, and his grandfather sharing endearing moments together. As they enjoy everyday life, they reflect on this fallen world and turn toward the hope that awaits them both with renewed bodies and an anticipation of a celestial game of baseball. It's a heartwarming story that indirectly answers childlike questions about heaven in story form.

2008 ECPA Christian Book Award finalist!
A story of promise about Nathan and his grandfather and their shared love of baseball. It uses the form of story to teach children about heaven, following Jesus, and waiting until we see lost loved ones again.

Wait Until Then by Randy Alcorn is a beautiful story about a wheelchair-bound young boy and his grandfather who is dying of cancer. They share a great love for baseball.

Nathan wants more than anything to be able to run and walk like other kids so he can really play baseball. His grandfather knows this and tries to show him that there are other things far more important.

They have many good talks as they fish, play catch, and just spend time together. As Grandpa explains why we have suffering and bad things, he also talks about a time when all will be made new and Nathan will be able to run and jump just like other boys on the New Earth. Grandpa also tells Nathan and his brother and sister about Heaven and how Jesus is building a special place there for each person.

Alcorn designed this book to be used to open dialogue with children about Heaven—what it is like and how to get there. The plan of salvation is presented within the story. Every page is a full-color illustration of the story. It is recommended for the ages of six through ten and will be a great book to be handed down from generation to generation. – Linda Demorest, Christian Book Previews.com

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Reviewed by Kristina (U.S.A.), August 05, 2007

Wait Until Then is both touching and wise. Any parent who wants to explain what happens to us when we die, how to deal with the death of a loved one, and how to cope with serious disappointment will want to read this book with their child. The book introduces Nathan, a boy of about 9 or 10, and his grandfather. We learn that he loves baseball, and that his grandfather once played in the major leagues. Nathan and Gramps share lots of good times playing catch, talking about baseball, and fishing, but Nathan has a great disappointment in his life. He's in a wheelchair. Too, Gramps has cancer. Gramps tries to help Nathan cope with his negative feelings about being in a wheelchair. When Nathan bemoans the fact that he can't play ball, Gramps reminds him: "One day you will [run the bases]...God promises that one day we'll live on a New Earth. He'll fix everything. Nothing will be bad there. And we'll have better bodies than the greatest Olympic athletes." Gramps also tells Nathan that God had a special reason for putting Nathan in a wheelchair, whether or not they can see what it is just now. He also explains what Nathan needs to do to accept God's gift of salvation. Then Gramps goes to the hospital. When Nathan visits, Gramps reminds him: "I want you to love Jesus and pray to him every day. It's fine to enjoy baseball. But remember, everything we love should cause us to love Jesus more, not less." Gramps dies, and Nathan recalls everything his grandfather taught him. He looks forward to the day he and Gramps can play baseball together. The last two-page spread of the book shows Nathan running the bases on God's New Earth. What I Like: The story brought tears to my eyes, and I believe it will touch you and your children, too. And the illustrations, by Doron Ben-Ami, are amazing! They are rich and lifelike...so much so, many look like photographs, not drawings. Overall Rating: Excellent.

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