Bibliography
Ride to the Stars
The circle of life is one of life’s greatest mysteries-our physical bodies are here so briefly when time is perceived as infinite. The loss of a loved one is tragic but with hope, healing and love comes an understanding of how a life is truly infinite as well. Writer and educator Suzanne Gene Courtney’s Ride to the Stars paints a beautiful and inspiring picture through which children can understand these concepts and find comfort in knowing that life on the other side continues.
Courtney’s tale is set on the Big Island of Hawaii and is a testament to her oldest son, Daniel Robert Sayre, who died there, at the age of 25. Spanning over two decades, her melodic prose is peppered with words of comfort and wisdom that will resonate with children. It teaches the beauty of life, the importance of family, and the absolute joy of cherishing each day. Her characters, a boy named Daniel and a green sea turtle named Honu, are beautifully rendered to encapsulate a sensitive subject. The result is a loving and gentle message that inspires young ones to honor and exemplify life and to know that life does indeed go on forever.
Dear Diary, My Brother Died Today
In the circle of life, we go through many changes. But in the end, we all are going to die. Explaining death to a young child doesn’t have to be difficult. Dear Diary: My Brother Died Today explains the concept of dying in words that a child can understand.
This book is the third in a trilogy about the circle of life. It lets children perceive the life in heaven that awaits them, and although the story is fictional, it could easily happen. In it, a seven-year-old girl records the sudden death of her older brother by writing her feelings in her diary. In her own innocent way, she tells about being able to see him when no one else can. She embraces this ability and is not afraid.
Throughout the book, the little girl describes her brother’s nearness, even when she cannot see him anymore. In her own honest and trusting way, she is able to help her parents cope with their loss. She also learns about angels and knows that her brother is safe.
Florence Flies Alone
Florence Flies Alone: An Alliterative Airline Adventure follows the adventures of Florence, a vivacious and outgoing nine-year-old, who is flying by herself for the first time. Her story includes the funny and sometimes thought-provoking experiences that happen on her trip to see her father. Forced to problem solve during the flight, she reflects on what she needs to do. The story is loaded with alliterative phrases and rhyme, making it not only educational, but a humorous read. At the end, Florence is pleased with herself and seems to stand a bit taller. Children who have flown before will be able to relate to Florence. Children who have not flown before will learn about airline terminals and the inside of an airplane. Florence Flies Alone is a children’s adventure that really soars!
Suzanne Gene Courtney now lives in Austin, TX. “Remembering the funny things that have happened to me or my children when traveling alone motivated me to write this book. My two grown children live in Austin, and I wanted to include a little Texas culture. As a former elementary teacher, I know the frustrations and challenges involved in the teaching of reading and writing, so I included a lot of alliteration to be used as examples in the classroom.”
Through the Eyes of a Dove
The tragic, sudden death of their 25-year-old son left the Courtney and Sayre families devastated. Grief-stricken and searching for answers, his parents, siblings, other family members and friends began having experiences that they first passed off as coincidences.
However, the more they shared with each other, the more they knew that the journey toward understanding had just begun. Suzanne Gene Courtney chronicles her family’s path through the darkness to peace and on to acceptance, in the hope that it will help other newly bereaved parents. Through the Eyes of a Dove is a source of solace in times of sorrow, one that can help the grieving to grow, trust, believe and learn to live with their child in spirit.
Rainfrog
Listen to the frogs! The charming children’s story Rainfrog encompasses the first meeting between an imaginative little girl and a tiny rainforest tree frog.
A bond forms between the two, and when they are later separated, their attempts to find each other again are heartwarming.
This tender and innocent story leaves readers wondering what will happen next. While vacationing in Puerto Rico, author Suzanne Gene Courtney heard the tiny tree frogs, called coquies, flood the night air with a constant high-pitched song that kept her awake her first night there. On subsequent nights, the frogs’ singing lulled her to sleep, and this story was born.
“I learned more about the coqui tree frog after reading a National Geographic article about them,” she said. “It was extremely interesting, and I incorporated some of this knowledge into the writing of Rainfrog.”
Heaven Held
This book explains what happens when a child dies. The child is immediately surrounded by Angels and resides in the first stage of Heaven called Transition. The child is only there briefly, but must be comforted and accustomed to this newness. The Love and Light are radiant, and the child is filled with awe and wonderment. Heaven Held is a dialogue between the author and her departed son who is a Light Being Guide. The author asks him questions and her son describes the place where he loves to work.
Suzanne Gene Courtney writes from the heart. For the past twenty years, she has grown in her life experiences from tragedy to understanding, from hope to joy, and now offers in this, her sixth book, a view of Heaven through her departed son’s eyes. Through extensive training and practice in automatic writing, discernment, and validation, Suzanne connects to her Angels, Guides, and Ascended Masters. For those who have lost a child, Heaven Held provides great comfort and peace in knowing what the first stage of Heaven offers their little ones.
This book gives readers a glimpse of Heavenly beauties and possibilities as it reassures bereaved parents about the vastness and depth of God’s love for their child. In her pursuit of spiritual growth and soul awareness, Suzanne continues to learn from her dear friend and mentor, Alyssa Malehorn, who is a Spiritual Healer, Psychic Medium, and Reiki Master Teacher in Austin, Texas.