When her sister's family faced a tragic death three years ago, podcaster and author Annie F. Downs began searching for books for children to help her deal with her younger nephew. Unable to find anything with a gospel focus, Downs did what the authors do. She wrote it herself.
That book Where did TJ go?? (Revell) tells the tragic yet hopeful story of Sam, a young boy who rejoices at finding out that his mother is pregnant, but overcomes his grief when his newborn brother TJ dies shortly after birth. After Sam's parents comfort him with the news that TJ is in heaven now, he begins to imagine what TJ is doing: maybe TJ is riding a bike in heaven, maybe he is riding a giraffe, or perhaps He listens as Jesus I'll read him a book.
This book was released in February. It's almost three years after Downs' sister Tatum Green lost her son, TJ. They are co-authors of the book.
Sam was about 18 months at the time, Downs said.
“TJ was born with a life-limiting diagnosis,” Downs told the headline for Crosswalk. “A few months before he was born, my sister called me and said, “My counselor told Sam that he should read a book to understand that he is dying. What books should we read?”
Downs asked her friends, counselors and pastors to recommend, but none of the books conveyed the message she was looking for. Every book on the market lacked “the gospel story we wanted to tell,” she said.
Initially, Downs' book was a private manuscript. – Spiral Binding and Laminating – It is intended only for her sister. But if she sees it The impact that has hadshe provided it to the publisher.
Today, thousands of families have copies in their homes. She said the nonprofit is buying them in bulk and offering them to “families trying to handle sad children trying to raise grieving parents.”
Importantly, the book said it was open and honest about death. I don't say that TJ “got” or “passed.” It says he is “dead.”
“We die on earth and then we are with God in heaven,“ Downs, host That's fun Podcast.
Books Provides balance Honesty and hope, explaining that sad things about TJ's death are okay.
“We can still be sorry that TJ is not with us. We are very happy where TJ is, that he is not in pain, that we will see again. But that's fine. Sometimes I have The moment we go, I hope, “Oh, today's birthday, or, oh, I wish TJ was here.'”
The back of the book contains letters from a child counselor who received advice on coping.
Downs said the book's potential audience is huge. Approximately 10-20% of pregnancy end in miscarriage.
“You're not just dealing with you My own sorrow,“ She said of her parents, “But you're making breakfast – you get up and feed people, make sure they go to school, and [you’re] Help them with their sadness. And that's what we hope this helps – a family that had this and needed it. And we hope it will be on the shelf for the rest of their lives. I need it That, we don't need to look too far to give them resources That's right Help their children.“
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Photo credit: ©Facebook/Annie F. Downs
Michael Foot For 20 years, I have covered the intersection of faith and news. His stories appear in the Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Leaf, Toronto Star, Knoxville News Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's podcast! He is the host of Cross Walk Talka podcast where he talks to Christian movie stars, musicians, directors and more. Listen to famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian films, books, television and other entertainment. You can find Cross Walk Talk Above lifeaudio.comor subscribe apple or Spotify So you won't miss an interview that will surely encourage your faith.
It was originally released on March 14th, 2025.
