'Heaven Is for Real for Kids' Reaches #1 on 'New York Times' Best Seller List

NASHVILLE, Jan. 10, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Four-year-old Colton Burpo's journey to heaven and back has reached over six million people in his story's various formats. In addition to top rankings on several bestseller lists, the children's book depicting Colton's trip, "Heaven Is for Real for Kids," has hit a new benchmark: #1 on the children's picture books list of the "New York Times" Best Seller List.

"It is a simple and pure message from the experience of a four year old child: 'Jesus really loves children. And He loves You!' " says Laura Minchew, Senior Vice President of Specialty Publishing at Thomas Nelson. "What a delight to see this message resonating with so many families."

While the original trade book "Heaven Is for Real" was narrated by Colton's father Todd, "Heaven Is for Real for Kids" shows children what heaven is like through the eyes of young Colton Burpo. 

When he was nearly four years old, Colton experienced a burst appendix; it was during his emergency surgery that Colton visited heaven.  Aided by illustrator Wilson Ong, Colton vividly shows children what he saw in heaven and shares an important message: Jesus really, really loves children. The book features a letter to parents and a Q&A section that answers questions kids frequently have when they finish Colton's story. In December 2011, the app "Heaven Is for Real for Kids" released on all Apple platforms.

"Heaven Is for Real for Kids" is one of a trio of new products by the Burpo family released by Thomas Nelson, the world's largest Christian publisher. "Heaven Is for Real" deluxe edition is also available to provide a hardcover, gift-able version of the best-selling trade book. A "Heaven is for Real" DVD-based Conversation Kit features footage of the Burpo family talking about their experiences while offering discussion questions and suggestions for participants.

About the Authors:

Todd Burpo is pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan, a volunteer fireman, and works with a garage door company. His wife, Sonja, is a children's minister, busy pastor's wife, and mom. Colton, an active 12-year-old, has an older sister, Cassie, and a younger brother, Colby.

Tommy Nelson , the children's division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., publishes a wide variety of high quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson products are designed to expand children's imaginations and nurture their faith while pointing them to a personal relationship with God. For more information, visitwww.tommynelson.com.

For the Burpo family, ‘Heaven is for Real’

Author adds new details about heaven


By Mark Ellis
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA (ANS) -- When doctors inexplicably missed four-year-old Colton Burpo’s burst appendix, and the resulting infection nearly took his life, his father railed at God as Colton’s life seemed to be slip away.

Colton at about four-years-old

Pastor Todd Burpo found a small room in the hospital after Colton was taken into surgery, and he unloaded some raw emotions toward heaven. 

“Where are you God? Is this how you treat your pastors? Is it worth it to even serve you?” he shouted, as recounted in the New York Times bestseller “Heaven is for Real.”

After Colton’s surgery and a time in ICU, the fair-haired boy made a remarkable recovery. It wasn’t until four months later on a family car ride to South Dakota that Colton’s parents realized something very unusual happened to Colton as doctors fought to save his life.

Colton shared with his astonished parents that he left his body in the hospital and visited heaven, where he sat on Jesus’ lap and met departed family members, along with other remarkable details.

He watched his father praying for his life in the small room, a fact that even Todd’s wife, Sonya, didn’t know. Todd had confessed and repented of his “raw” attitude toward God in the hospital, but the realization that his son sat on Jesus’ lap in the midst of his anger melted his heart.

“I screamed at God when he was holding my kid and it was wrong,” he admits. “When I knew God had forgiven me for that, I knew it was okay to share it with other people.”

Colton told his parents one of the favorite places in heaven was the throne room of God – with God seated on a huge throne, and Jesus enthroned on His right and the angel Gabriel on the Father’s left. “People ask Colton, ‘What does God’s face look like?’”

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Mark Ellis is a senior correspondent for ASSIST News Service and the founder ofwww.Godreports.com.  He is available to speak to groups about the plight of the church in restricted countries, to share stories and testimonies from the mission field, and to preach the gospel. mark@Godreports.com

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