Why Heaven Is Far Away
by Julius Lester, Illustrated by Joe Cepeda

In this heavenly sequel to the critically acclaimed WHAT A TRULY COOL WORLD, a star-studded duo once again finds playful, big-hearted answers to life’s most mysterious questions.

God, His wife Irene, His secretary Bruce, & the angel Shaniqua have a problem to solve. When God gives Snakes poison to protect themselves, He doesn’t expect them to bite everything in sight. Now all at once people & animals are climbing up the ladders connecting heaven & earth, & creating chaos in God’s kingdom! But with a little help from Shaniqua & Irene & their beautiful singing voices, God has everyone dancing down the ladders to earth. The snakes get other kinds of defenses (& a talking to), & the ladders get pulled up to prevent further ruckuses, which is why heaven is far away.