'Heaven Is Real' Story Now Children's Book
After eight years, the story of a little boy’s experience in heaven is still spreading, now in the form of a children’s' book.
Colton Burpo, son of pastor Todd and wife Sonja, had to have an emergency appendix surgery eight years ago. While being operated on, the four-year old boy claims he was in heaven.
One year ago the book made it’s debut on The New York Times’ bestseller list. Two months later, the novel had sold 200,000 copies in print and made it to number one where it spent 44 weeks.
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The family is now making media rounds to promote a new children’s book, Heaven Is for Real for Kids. The Burpo family appeared on MSNBC to speak about the experience that changed their lives eight year’s later.
Todd said he believed his four-year-old son saw heaven after the little boy spoke about details that he could not have known unless being told.
“He could see where we were in the hospital when he was in surgery. That first grabbed our attention because those facts we didn't know how he knew them,” Todd said. “He (went) on to talk about a sister he met in heaven, my grandfather, and what God looks like. The information that he shares is just pretty incredible.”
Colton’s mother Sonja recalled hearing her child speak about a sibling that he never got a chance to meet until he visited heaven.
“He told us about our miscarried daughter and various other things,” she said.
Colton said he still remembered his visit to heaven vividly and does not believe he could forget his experience.
“The things I remember most are my family members and Jesus,” the 12-year-old said. “I think those memories are implanted.”
With a best-selling novel, new illustrated children’s’ book and movie deal in the works, Todd acknowledged that some people may be skeptical about the motivation behind telling the story and its validity. However, the pastor said the tale is important because of its impact on people.
“We're just going to share the story, a lot of people have found different parts in it that they felt and were touched by,” Todd said. “Our intention was to write it and help a few people and it just exploded.”
