My Protest: If I Could Peek Into Heaven … to See What Daddy Is Doing by Linda G. Bessellieu, Jaliyah Bessellieu-Webb, and Tawana Bessellieu, sensitively and artfully illustrated by Mehk Arshad, offers real comfort to children (and adults) who have experienced the loss of a family member. Instead of the run-of-the-mill platitudes so often expressed in the wake of such a tragedy, the book presents a real-time, authentic, faith-based approach to dealing with grief - an approach that will surely prove valuable for young people and adults alike. The narrative is written in simple, straightforward language and makes marvelously effective use of parallelism – each page pair begins with “If I could peek into heaven …” and follows with an inspiring insightful gem that will help the reader to feel closer to both the departed and their sense of well-being. This strategy not only allows the reader to get straight to the heart of the matter but will also help children comprehend the text at a higher level and to a greater degree than they would be able to do without the structural support built into the narrative.

There is tremendous beauty in My Protest, reflected in angels, divine light, faith, prayer, and natural wonders. There is also a wealth of day-to-day imagery that will help young readers realize that their loved ones are present as long as they are remembered and loved. This framework transforms simple acts like eating one’s favorite cereal or swimming in a pool into important touchstones for continuing vital relationships via memory. A concluding image of Daddy smiling and watching over the family from heaven is certain to give real comfort and encourage loving remembrance. This is a perfect springboard to help families talk about and grow through grief.

The death of a loved one can bring up existential questions about what happens to them after they are gone. For parents, this can sometimes be a tough time, where they have to give their children answers about death, where the departed could have gone, and if they are okay. My Protest: If I Could Peek into Heaven ...To See What My Daddy Is Doing by Linda G. Bessellieu, Jaliyah Bessellieu-Webb, and Tawana Bessellieu is a picture book that will inspire hope, healing, and comfort to children dealing with the loss of a loved one. When Jaliyah was just four, her dad passed away. Jaliyah knew that her father was in a lovely and peaceful place called heaven. In this book, Jaliyah imagines herself peering into heaven to see the amazing things her daddy might be doing there.

My Protest paints a poignant and ultimately uplifting picture of loss. Through it, young readers will understand that even though someone they love is no longer physically present, their memory can still bring warmth and happiness. The word choices in the text are intriguing and complemented by excellent artwork from Mehk Arshad. It's refreshing how the illustrations convey vividness with a sense of realism. Young readers can enjoy the rhyming texts, whether chanted aloud or being read to. The authors did a great job of endowing the text with a musical quality. You can even play a game with your little one as you take turns reading parts aloud and letting them predict the next words. The book incorporates themes of connection, love, and family and delves into the idea of a positive afterlife. Picturing the departed in a joyous place will help bring comfort. This is an essential tool for a child's emotional well-being during times of loss.

Losing a loved one is never easy. It's especially difficult for children to grasp the concept of death and come to terms with it. My Protest: If I Could Peek Into Heaven ... To See What My Daddy Is Doing by Linda G. Bessellieu, Jaliyah M. Bessellieu-Webb, and Tawana E. Bessellieu is the story of a little girl whose father passed away. Complemented by colorful illustrations, the story follows Jaliyah, a little girl who is sad that her father is no longer with her. She knows he is in heaven and wants to take a look at what he is doing. She wants to see God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, angels flying around, and her dad playing in the clouds as if they were snow or eating his favorite cereals. She wants to see everyone in her family who has gone to heaven and hopes they are all together having fun.

Picture books such as If I Could Peek Into Heaven ... To See What My Daddy Is Doing are among the best ways to teach children how to navigate the loss of a loved one or a relative and bring closure. Linda G. Bessellieu, Jaliyah M. Bessellieu-Webb, and Tawana E. Bessellieu offer readers a glimpse into how children respond to the loss of a loved one through the perspective of a young girl who firmly believes that her father has gone to heaven. Faith has proven to be a powerful tool against grief, and this moving story reinforces that notion. Mehk Arshad's beautiful drawings enhance the tale and make it even more mesmerizing to read. Despite the somber topic, I found the tone optimistic and wholesome. I will recommend it to readers below the age of ten.