
This whimsical chapter book by Julius Lester offers a humorous and thoughtful fable explaining why Heaven is far away. When Earth's inhabitants, both people and animals, attempt to escape their daily woes, like problems with snakes, by simply climbing ladders to Heaven, God convenes a meeting with His secretary Bruce and the angel Shaniqua. Together, they decide that Heaven needs to be moved much further away, encouraging everyone to tackle their challenges on Earth. It's a gentle story that subtly teaches resilience and the importance of facing problems rather than avoiding them, wrapped in a lighthearted narrative perfect for young readers.
When people and animals try to climb ladders to Heaven to escape problems with snakes, God, His secretary Bruce, and the angel Shaniqua decide that Heaven needs to be much further away.