Book to be Available July 23, 2024
Plymouth author Tanya Hackett will release her first children’s book “My Brother Lives in Heaven” on July 23, 2024 to help children who are suffering from an unimaginable loss. The book has already been named the number one new release in its genre from pre-orders on Amazon.
The book explores how children often wonder what Heaven looks like and struggle with the unknown of where their loved ones go after they leave us here on Earth. In this touching story, a little boy describes to readers all the emotions he feels after the loss of his younger brother. He describes in detail the beauty of what he sees as Heaven and all that will be until he’s reunited with his brother. He validates the sadness that comes along with missing someone, but also the joy, beauty, and peace of what he believes fills his brother’s eternal life in Heaven. Through beautiful illustrations, readers will feel an array of emotions as this little boy travels through his journey of grief. This sweet story helps little minds see beyond Earth and find peace after losing a loved one.
Hackett wrote the children’s book following the sudden, unexpected death of her three year old son Jonny in 2021. After losing her son, she was not only faced with her own grief, but also the grief of her son Bobby, who was only five years old. Through her own blog and social media, she shared the rawness of the pain they felt and the pain of watching her son suffer with the loss of his little brother. Hackett realized this loss was not temporary and, in fact, is a life sentence of learning a new normal. She has gone on to dedicate her life to not only remembering and honoring her son through her foundation, but also normalizing grief and sharing her journey. This book is a look into what grief has been for her son Bobby, who is now turning eight years old.
Hackett hopes this book will help other children who are suffering with an unimaginable loss. The children’s book in Jonny’s memory is going to be released on July 23rd during his anniversary week. The book is being published by Briley and Baxter Publishing Publications LLC of Plymouth, MA, which was founded by South Shore award winning author Stacy Padula as a way to support animal rescues with 10 percent of publishing royalties donated to different animal rescues. The company publishes books in adult fiction, non-fiction, young adult, children’s, science fiction, fantasy and self-help, as well as Christian fiction and non-fiction for all ages. The book is illustrated by Mandy Moore and is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and e-book on Apple Books and Kobo.
“My mission as a bereaved mother is to normalize grief and not make people grieving feel like they need to move on or get over it,” said Hackett. “There are no eight stages and then you’re suddenly healed. This is a life of learning how to live around the pain and function in a new normal. “
About the Author
Tanya Hackett is the wife of a police officer and mother to three beautiful children: Bobby, Jonny, and Brooke. In 2015, Tanya began working as a social worker for the state of Massachusetts. Tanya’s passion for helping others shined through her work with families and children in the community. It wasn’t until the sudden, unexpected death of her son Jonny in
2021 that her mission shifted. After losing her son, she was not only faced with her own grief, but also the grief of her son Bobby who was only five years old. Through her own blog and social media, she shared the rawness of the pain they felt and the pain of watching her son suffer with the loss of his little brother. Tanya realized this loss was not temporary and, in fact, is a life sentence of learning a new normal. Tanya went on to dedicate her life to not only remembering and honoring her son through her foundation, but also normalizing grief and sharing her journey. This book is a look into what grief has been for her son Bobby, who is now turning eight years old. Tanya hopes this book will help other children who are suffering with an unimaginable loss. Tanya plans to continue sharing this journey and hopes to someday write a
follow-up book in the perspective of her daughter who was born a year after her brother Jonny gained his wings. Jonny will always be a part of the Hackett family, and they will never stop sharing his legacy.
The Hackett family founded a charitable organization, Jonny’s Bags that help families at Children’s Hospital ICU by providing items of comfort and support. For additional information please visit https://www.
