Where Did TJ Go?

**Author: Annie F. Downs**
**Published February 18, 2025**
**Page Count: 32**

When a new baby is on the way, everyone is excited, including the baby’s brothers or sisters that cannot wait to have a younger sibling. However, there are sometimes situations in which a baby does not develop properly and when born the baby does not live long. That is what happened with TJ. Based on a true story about a boy named Sam, and his family, who were anxiously awaiting the arrival of a baby boy name TJ. Sadly, TJ does not live long after birth and Sam wonders why and where TJ is now.

Reading Audience:

Amazon suggests 3 - 6 years old and I agree.

Stuff to be aware of:

This is a book to help children deal with the loss of a sibling and the grief associated with it.

There is a photo of the real life Sam and TJ. TJ has a tube coming out of his nose. There is an illustration of an ultra sound that discusses how, “Baby TJ is not growing like most babies grow.” The idea of how happiness and sadness can happen at the same time is briefly dealt with.

Heaven and God are discussed in a way that a young child could understand. Sam wonders what it is like in heaven. He wonders about riding bikes playing with puppies, climbing trees, or Jesus reading to his brother. The author uses these ideas about Heaven Sam has to explain how TJ is in an amazing place with an amazing Father. It is mentioned that there are trees in heaven (I assume this is referencing passages like Revelation 2:7 and 22:2-3 which reference the Tree of Life).

The book ends on a positive note about how there is good news even in sad stories. Romans 3:28 is not used, but the idea is expressed.

Overall:

This book is a great tool to use with a child dealing with loss and grief, however more specifically this is a needed resource if your family has dealt with the loss of a child. This book would be a powerful tool for a young boy or girl who lost a sibling. It is written from the perspective of Sam and in his wonderings about where TJ is and what heaven is like the author uses the child’s ideas to explain how TJ is not in pain, how he doesn’t have health issues, and how he is happy with Jesus

I had to hold back tears while reading this one. It is very powerful and even though it is designed for young children parents who have lost a child (or any parent that has lost someone) may find this book therapeutic. One last thing, there is also some short snippets of advice from a therapist at the end of the book for parents to look at.

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