Review of Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids

[Seetha E]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids" by Jemima Paul, Arvind Paul.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Devout Christians Jemima Paul and Arvind Paul, co-authors of the book Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids, are dedicated parents to three daughters, aged eight, six, and an undisclosed age. The family is doing well for themselves and loves each other a lot. They prioritize instilling their values and Christian faith in their young children, often reading the Bible together before bedtime as a testament to their devout beliefs.
 
The book, Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids, weaves a narrative around Emma's dreams of encountering God, Heaven, and Hell. Emma's vivid descriptions of her experiences in Heaven and Hell reflect her sincere excitement and genuine apprehension. She describes how she and her little sister were carried to Heaven and were not scared of flying amid the clouds. Overall, she gives her impression of Heaven as the most beautiful place she has ever seen and that nothing else could match it. She also shares her feelings while being shown Hell. Her fear was palpable as she progressed to describe the deplorable state of affairs in Hell.
 
Her parents, in turn, help her interpret her dreams and reinforce their belief that God has special plans for them. The parents' approach emphasizes their commitment to nurturing their children's faith within the framework of Christianity. To corroborate her descriptions, the book shares verses from the Bible.
 
While I commend the familial bond and the parents’ open-mindedness towards their children's experiences, I also acknowledge the book's accessibility for a young audience. The deliberate simplicity of the text and engaging illustrations amplify the storytelling and make it more relatable to young readers. I can confidently state that the editors have done a wonderful job, as the entire book was error-free. Additionally, I noted the absence of belittling or dismissing other religions, which reflects the authors' intention to focus solely on nurturing Christian values in young readers.

Yet, I find it necessary to express caution regarding the use of fear to promote obedience and faith, as well as the use of rewards as an incentive for good behavior. In my view, leveraging fear and rewards during a child's formative years may have specific implications. Rather, I advocate for emphasizing intrinsic values to encourage good behavior and discourage negative actions, thereby encouraging genuine, moral conduct. This aspect, for me, justifies a reduction of one star in the rating.
 
Given the merits of the book and the aforementioned considerations, I rate Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids a rating of four out of five stars for its value in aiding parents to guide their children on the path of Christian faith in an engaging manner. It is advisable for Christian households and individuals seeking insights into Christianity. Additionally, it is suitable for gift-giving purposes.

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Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids
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[Anu Anand]

I agree with your point on using fear and rewards. It’s important that children learn to do good out of understanding, not pressure. I appreciate how thoughtfully you expressed this. Thank you for such a balanced and honest review. @Seetha E