People are like Balloons

A Book for Helping Children Understand Death and Process Loss

A Church pastor for 16+ years, Simon Pastorello is all too familiar with the emotional and spiritual whirlwind following a loved one’s passing, and the challenge it is for concerned adults to help children navigate such waters.

When his father faced a terminal diagnosis, Simon found himself preparing for the conversation no parent wants to have – explaining death to the young children in his own family. As he prayed about it, God gave him a picture that equipped him for the conversation. Now, that picture has become People Are Like Balloons, a gentle, biblically sound story designed to help young children process loss and find hope in Christian truths, while also helping parents foster healthy, helpful conversations around grief.

Through a beautiful story, People Are Like Balloons explores how, just as balloons are made of rubber and breath, so people are made of visible and invisible parts; one that wears out, and one that remains. God created us with his own breath, and those who love Jesus return to him when they leave their body. It’s an illustration simple enough for a child to grasp, yet profound enough to carry real hope.

Pre-order Now

You can now pre-order this book as a precious resource for your own family and others. The book will be released in May and if you pre-order, you’ll be among the first to receive it.

Help Us Bring It to Life

Every children’s book needs two things: a story that matters and illustrations that bring it to life.

High-quality children’s book illustrations are essential but costly. They’re what transform words on a page into a gentle companion for a frightened child. They’re what helps a 5-year-old understand that people, like balloons, may leave us, but those who love Jesus can find comfort from him in their hour of need.

We’d love you to partner with us to help fund the illustrations that will make this book accessible to grieving families.

Your partnership will:

• Fund professional illustrations that speak to young hearts
• Help churches and ministries access this resource
• Ensure families facing grief have the tools they need
• Bring comfort to children when they need it most

‘This is the book nobody wants to need,’ Simon says, ‘but will feel like a Godsend to those who do.’

---

Partnership Options

Get your Name in the Back of the Book – only available until 30th March!

£30 Sponsorship: Help fund the illustrations + receive a Paperback copy of People are like Balloons with your name printed inside + an exclusive art print.

£50 Sponsorship: Help fund the illustrations + Receive a Hardback of People are like Balloons with your name printed inside + an exclusive art print.

£100 Sponsorship: Help fund the illustrations + Receive a hardback and 2 paperbacks of People are like Balloons with your name printed inside and an exclusive art print.

Every partnership brings this book closer to the families who desperately need it. Will you help us get there?

---

The small print: Books will be posted shortly before the book releases in May. If you give your consent, you will also receive regular prayer updates about the project, so you can be praying for us as we prepare, and the families who will receive the book when it comes out.

If you want to give a different amount, without receiving a gift, you can do so here.