Heavenly Village (Turtleback)

'It is said that when people die, they travel to a place of Perfect Happiness, a place of Complete Ecstasy, a place called Heaven.
And most do.'

Cynthia Rylant has constructed a wonderful little story rich in meaning and feeling, designed for children but wonderful for adults, touching and sad, helpful and hopeful, giving an account of those who are not quite ready for heaven.

'These are the people who have unfinished business, who can't remain on earth, but aren't ready to let go and fly to heaven.
God calls them His homebodies.
And because He is God and will provide all that anyone ever needs on earth and in heaven, God has made for His homebodies a special stopping place, a wayside, a small pull-over on the way to Perfect Happiness.
It is called The Heavenly Village.'

This is a place for reluctant spirits, the woman who died young, but still had a runner's spirit; the timid baker Violet who was afraid for her cats, who learned in the village that she was loved after all; the man who accidently hit Violet with his car, and couldn't let go of her death; the potter who, in his craft, came close to emulating God so much that God asked him to remain in the village making pottery.

Here we learn ideas of time and space, love and loss, family, relationship, importance and trivialities. This book glows with spirit, as we follow in simple but such special ways those who need to finish their stories.

We learn that Violet is waiting for her cats before going on. What a wonderful idea, that our pets go with us! We as adults think that children will find this touching, but as an adult, I can testify that it won't be heaven for me without my cats. 'The cats are all actually doing quite well. The woman who rented the apartment to Violet Rose was so brokenhearted when the young girl died that she decided to keep all the cats herself and let them stay in the apartment. The woman lives downstairs so it's easy for her to check up on them. She leaves the back bedroom window slightly open, so they can come and go. The cats are all right. They have each other. And cats are not the worriers most people are. They seem to understand they'll see Violet Rose again. Any second now.'

We learn that the landlady kept the apartment vacant for Violet's cats. We also learn that the restaurant owner who employed Violet had a painting commissioned in her honour. These people loved Violet. 'Violet Rose is so surprised by all this. She didn't know, really, that people cared about her. It makes her happy.'

I wish I had time and space (and the right!) to put the whole story here. I can't remember the last time a children's book delighted me such that I laughed and cried so much in one sitting. Rylant's sensitivity to her characters and their special needs in the eyes of God and the world (and themselves) is a wonder.

If I could give ten stars, I would.

I will be using this book at the retirement centre to discuss unfinished business, and the love of God toward all of us, finished or not (and who isn't). This book will work for educating children and adults.

I was given this book as an ordination gift, by a priest who said that (given that my library already has most major and many minor theologies) this was a book most needed for the collection, and she was correct. Not a book I would ordinarily pick up, this has been one of the richest reading experiences I have had in years.

God comes to visit his potter friend in his shop late at night, the best time to work on pottery.

'While they sleep, there is a steady sound, a constant hum, a soft flowing rhythm in the air. It comes from the edge of town. A young potter is placing God's hands on the wheel and the wheel is spinning round.'