He Always Hears: A Story of Loss and the Hope of Things Made New

By Alyson Punzi, Illustrated by Tyler Charlton

... Show All

He Always Hears: A Story of Loss and the Hope of Things Made New

By Alyson Punzi, Illustrated by Tyler Charlton

... Show All

This Picture Book Teaches Children How to Lament and Rely on God’s Promises

In our broken world, life rarely unfolds as we hope. For little ones facing loss, disappointment, and heartache for the first time, it can be a confusing and overwhelming experience. He Always Hears teaches children what biblical lament is, how to tell God about our pain, and how to rely on his redemptive promises. 

In this poignant book designed for kids ages 3–8, Jane faces challenges when her seemingly perfect life takes a difficult turn. After enduring a series of losses that leave her feeling scared, Jane’s parents teach her how to cry out to the Lord—the one who hears her cries and is working to make all things new. Whether kids are dealing with pain big or small, this book encourages them to turn to God in their moments of sorrow.

  • Written for Kids Ages 3–8: Clear language and colorful pictures make lament engaging and understandable for children in their formative years 
  • Invites Conversation: The story of Jane provides an easy way for adults to present a difficult yet important topic to kids 
  • Helpful Repetition: Key phrases can be repeated by parents as a gospel reminder for when times are tough

Author:

Alyson Punzi

Alyson Punzi (BA, Cedarville University) is an author passionate about discipleship and theology. She became a pastor’s widow when her husband, Frank, died suddenly of leukemia, and she now writes on lament, grief, and single motherhood. Alyson and her daughter, Lois, live in small-town Ohio.

Illustrator:

Tyler Charlton

Tyler Charlton is an illustrator residing on the Virginia side of the Washington, DC, with his wife and three children. Tyler served in the US Army and then earned a degree in history before returning to school to study art, design, and illustration.

Product Details

Title: He Always Hears
Subtitle: A Story of Loss and the Hope of Things Made New
Published: September 23, 2025
ISBN-10: 1-4335-9628-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-9628-5
Category: Children & Youth
Retail Price: $17.99
Binding: Hardcover
Trim: 8.5 in x 11.0 in
Page Count: 56

Endorsements

“One of the hardest facts of life for a child to embrace is that our world—their world—is sadly broken. But He Always Hears has a winsome message that helps boys and girls grasp that God is good, despite their many disappointments in life. It is, in fact, a solid theological work disguised as a children’s picture book. So parents: You may think you hold in your hands only a small story with gentle renderings, but it has a very large message for children—one they won’t soon forget.”
Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder and CEO, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

“Alyson Punzi has not wasted her pain of widowhood; instead, she has left the church with a gift that can serve our children well. The question is, are we willing to take up the gift and use it? We tend to shy away from speaking to our children about loss. But if they live long enough in this broken world, they are going to experience loss. This book will help prepare them for when—not if—it comes.”
Jonathan Gibson, author, The Moon Is Always Round

He Always Hears is a tender and hope-filled book that will help children navigate life’s hard and sad moments by reminding them that God always hears their cries. Through comforting words and truth-filled encouragement, Alyson Punzi teaches kids to hold fast to Christ, trust in his promises, and find steady hope in knowing they are never alone.”
Hunter Beless, author; Founder, Journeywomen Ministries

“How do we help our children process the shock of tragic loss or the exhausting strain of chronic pain? When young voices need a response to their cries, we often grasp for words that seem just out of reach. He Always Hears is a special resource that gently answers the confusion of grief with the language of lament. Thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated, this book offers a hopeful word for little hearts with big hurts.”
Ched Spellman, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, Cedarville University; author, One Grand Story

“How do we help children navigate grief? This question is especially complicated when we as their caregivers are also grieving. That’s why I’m grateful for this book. Alyson Punzi offers grieving children and their caregivers a tremendous gift in this resource, not only in demonstrating what it looks like to have conversations about the inevitable disappointment and loss we experience in a broken world but also by providing a repeated refrain that will help kids remember the truth in difficult moments. Whether a child is navigating a soiled toy, a relocating friend, or a dying parent, He Always Hears arms grieving kids and their caregivers with help and hope by offering a simple way to rehearse the truth and a prompt to reach out to a God who is always listening.”
Abbey Wedgeworth, author, Held and the Training Young Hearts series

He Always Hears offers a gentle reminder of truths about God and his promises to us in loss. It is a needed resource for parents seeking help to address grief with their little ones or for anyone, young or old, who has suffered. This book shines a ray of hope in the hearts of readers.”
Erin Shaw, Associate Professor of Women’s Ministry, Cedarville University