MORE HEAVEN reaches in from the heart outward
to all children. They will be heard!
MORE HEAVEN was inspired by the children’s voices, children who could not always speak for themselves to tell us what they wanted, children who were often so consumed by their own emotions that they could not take one step forward from choice to responsibility.
This book is written for Tracey who walked on her toes, for red-headed, freckled-face Alan who mimicked my words, for Stephan, who cupped his hands over his ears when he heard voices, and for Marcellus, who taught me how to truly laugh at myself.
PRAISE FOR MORE HEAVEN
“A deep, profound and caring book clearly written from the heart. Dr. Jo Anne White takes us through an unfolding process of personal and spiritual discovery as we read about the challenges faced by special needs children and their families. A must-read for everyone!”
Judy O’Beirn, International Bestselling Author
of Unwavering Strength Series
www.unwaveringstrength.com
“Dr. White’s book ‘More Heaven’: You will go away feeling as though you yourself occupied the same time and space of the individuals she so perfectly conveys to the written page. Expansive, challenging, insightful and potentially life-changing. That last part is up to you.”
Stephen Dijoseph, Musician/Filmmaker
“More Heaven is a powerful book filled with optimism and genuine affection for kids with special needs. It is hard to imagine reading something so pure and understated, and yet so elegantly and deeply profound at the same time. And yet, that is precisely what this beautiful book manages to accomplish.
A great read and highly recommended!”
Debra Oakland, Living In Courage Online
www.livingincourageonline.com
“Dr. Jo Anne White’s “More Heaven” is beautifully written and comes deeply from the heart. It’s an extraordinary book that catapults you into the lives of those with special needs, to envision and feel their struggles and their accomplishments, to be patient, compassionate and to encourage. A teacher’s love and determination of her students is to never give up. One person can and does truly make a difference in their lives, to enrich their lives today for a brighter tomorrow. As a parent of a child with special needs, it brings hope that we can work together, but there is also much more that needs to be done. Highly recommended!”
Linda Kuepper, Co-Founder and CEO Autism Cares Foundation and a parent of a child with special needs.
“More Heaven,” tells an important story that parents, educators, therapists and the greater community need to read and sit up and take notice. While reading this book it becomes abundantly clear that while we have come far in the forty years of the federal special education mandate, it remains a precarious dance – we still take a few steps forward and one or two steps back.
As the mother of and a strong advocate for my 10-year-old son with autism I read “More Heaven” with both a tear and a smile – a tear for all of the challenges the teacher and her students faced; and a smile for each of their victories, both large and small.
I know that our educational system is still difficult for children, like my son, who doesn’t fit the standard mold. Yet, one energetic and caring teacher, as detailed in this poignant book, brought out the best in her students and helped them have scores of positive learning experiences, something that all of us need to experience.
This is a beautifully-written book about thinking outside of the box, tackling what seems like the impossible, and never ever losing hope. It is a true gift!
Debra Wallace Forman, Wallace Media Services, Journalist, publicist, motivational speaker, and loving mother of a 10-year-old son with autism
“This is an extraordinarily touching book about human relationships. Dr. Jo Anne provides insight into a special needs teacher’s world and the world of her amazing students. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t greatly benefit from reading More Heaven; it is a rare, enriching, and exhilarating experience.”
Tracy Friesen, International Best-Selling Author
www.TracyFriesen.com
“Jo Anne White’s book, “More Heaven,” touched me to the very core of my being. It is about humanity, patience, understanding and the truthfulness that somewhere, deep inside all of us, is a brave and creative being, and we all deserve the birthright of finding and exploring it. The teachers that help us uncover that beauty within are true gifts. More Heaven is poetically written without losing the grandiose, and sometimes heartbreaking subject it addresses: children with Autism. By the end, we understand, empathize, and are inspired to help. Read it. You will be a better person because you did.”
Dee Wallace, Actress, Author, Radio Host
www.iamdeewallace.com
