A Little Slice Of Heaven - “Sargeant’s Heaven” Children's Book Released April 3

March 21, 2008 - PRLog -- Most of us have experienced loss at some point in our lives.  And losing a loved one is especially difficult for children, particularly when they are young and are trying to make sense of the world.  Greenwich, Conn., residents Icy Frantz and Nina Weld have written and illustrated a book that they hope will provide some comfort to those that have lost a loved one, especially children.  Sargeant’s Heaven ($16.95) is a touching and whimsical story inspired by Icy Frantz’s three young sons after the loss of her fourth and youngest son, Sargeant, in April 2002.  Written by Icy Frantz and illustrated by Nina Weld, Sargeant’s Heaven takes the reader on a journey to the place that the Frantz’s envision as a home for their son and brother.  It is a place where Sargeant takes cloud bubble baths, roasts marshmallows on the stars, and plays cards with his great, great, great Grandfather. It is a happy, fun and loving place.  This upbeat story with sweet illustrations is a cathartic road a family travels while grieving and healing. The author’s hope is that the book and corresponding website will be a helpful tool for those who are grieving and who are trying to make sense of the loss of a loved one. Sargeant’s Heaven is being released nationally in bookstores and online (www.sargeantsheaven.com) on April 3, 2008.

The collaboration between Icy Frantz and Nina Weld is a natural one.  Both lost loved ones about the same time – Frantz her son, Weld her father – as friends with children around the same age, they found themselves grieving together. While searching for a book about heaven that would speak to the heart of a young child, Frantz found very few resources that were comforting and hope-filled.  

“I wanted to help my children understand about heaven.  They had a lot of questions that I found difficult to answer.  I also wanted them to know that although Sargeant was not with us, he was still and would always be very much a part of our family.”  It was during this search that Sargeant’s Heaven emerged. “Our children created this wonderful home for Sargeant with words and illustrations, and in turn were comforted with their own ideas.”

“We created this book for families.  It is our hope that the story about Sargeant’s Heaven will be a starting point for discussion, healing and moving forward,” noted Frantz.  “I’d like to think of Sargeant’s Heaven as a tool to help people cope,” said Weld.  “Books can be very powerful and uplifting and it is our hope that this book provides some solace and answers, helping families during a difficult time.”  Sargeant’s Heaven is a children’s book, but it is a story that transcends all ages and touches the heart.  

Icy Frantz and her husband Scott, their three boys and baby girl, live in Greenwich, Conn.  Their son Sargeant was born into the Frantz family in 2000 with an illness that made it difficult for him to breathe and learn.  Sadly, he died shortly before his second birthday in 2002; today he still remains a significant part of their lives.  The other three boys in the Frantz family were also young at the time and had many questions – questions that would be difficult for even the smartest people in the world to answer.  “What happens when we die?”  “Where is Sargeant now?”  “Can he hear us?”  “Does he miss us?”  Sargeant’s Heaven is the place the Frantz family created to help themselves understand where people go when they die.  They still miss Sargeant, but they feel better thinking of him in the place they have created for him.

Nina Weld is an artist and illustrator who was inspired by Frantz’s story and is honored to be a part of the project.  She lives in Greenwich with her husband and two boys. In addition to drawing for this project, Ms. Weld has created works for charity and her artwork has been exhibited locally.

Sargeant’s Heaven is dedicated to the many children battling life threatening diseases, some of whom the Frantz’s met through Sargeant at the hospitals that looked after him, and for the doctors and nurses who dedicate their lives to the care of these children.  All proceeds from the sale of Sargeant’s Heaven will be donated to local organizations dedicated to helping children and families in crisis, such as The Center for Hope and The Den for Grieving Children in Greenwich, Conn.  For more information on Sargeant’s Heaven visit www.sargeantsheaven.com.

Website: www.jhowardpr.com