Heaven is Real for Kids tops New York Times Best Seller List

Heaven is Real for Kids has landed at number one in the children's picture books category of the New York Times Best Seller List.

It is a simplified version of the original book, Heaven is Real, that was also a New York Times bestseller in the paperback nonfiction list.

The books tell of Colton Burpo and his account of Heaven as experienced when he underwent emergency surgery on a burst appendix at the age of four.

While the original trade book "Heaven Is for Real" was narrated by Colton's father Todd, "Heaven Is for Real for Kids" shows children what heaven is like through the eyes of young Colton Burpo.

"It is a simple and pure message from the experience of a four year old child: 'Jesus really loves children. And He loves You!' " says Laura Minchew, senior vice president of speciality publishing at Thomas Nelson.

"What a delight to see this message resonating with so many families."

Colton's experience of Heaven is brought to life through illustrations Wilson Ong to give children a taste of what he saw and know too that Jesus really, really loves children.

The book features a letter to parents and a Q&A section that answers questions kids frequently have when they finish Colton's story.

It follows the release of the app "Heaven Is for Real for Kids" on all Apple platforms last December.

Thomas Nelson has also produced a "Heaven is for Real" DVD-based Conversation Kit featuring footage of the Burpo family talking about their experiences while offering discussion questions and suggestions for participants.