While most of us yearn for a glimpse into heaven, a book about dying children is not what we would readily choose as a gift for ourselves or a friend. However, to pass by this short paperback without a second look would be to miss a little gem. The subtitle 'When children see life in death' summarises a positive view taken of situations most of us would find emotionally difficult and clinically challenging.

Easy to read, the subject matter deals primarily with children's spiritual experiences surrounding death. Diane Komp writes from her own perspective as Professor of Paediatrics at Yale, and tells the stories of children in her specialty of paediatric oncology. It is clear the author has not sought the protection of distancing herself from these situations but has learnt to love her patients, whether their lives are long or short. In so doing, she has been able to learn much from them.

The book also chronicles Professor Komp's own personal journey to faith in the One who holds the answers to life's many difficult questions, and to death's. Like many young doctors she found that the path of medical education (long working hours, the problem of suffering etc) became a journey to disbelief. At the beginning of her specialist career her 'faith began to slip away with each passing child'. As we share in the life stories of her patients, we see how the children were able to 'teach' their professor a number of life-changing truths.

And now the warning! Though the flow of the stories is easy, I did not find the book easy to read. Heartwarming? - yes. Challenging? - yes. Humbling? - yes.The chapter in the book entitled 'Facing Mount Moriah' brought tears to my eyes as I revisited in my thoughts a number of situations where I have 'walked', for a little way, with parents who have been called upon to accompany their child up that steep slope of suffering, knowing they may be expected to give up their beloved offspring.

Their pain is real, but these children's stories add their own evidence that, in Christ, death can be transformed by that touch of love into a window to heaven. Several times while reading this book I was reminded of the phrase 'a little child will lead them' (Isaiah 11:6).

Reviewed by
Steve Richardson
(Consultant Paediatrician, Barnstaple)