The Bridge Beyond the Stars - Cornelia Funke, Hachette Children's Group

An exquisitely illustrated story for anyone who needs hope and comfort in difficult times. A young angel learns about the Dark Things that humans carry - pain, loneliness and fear - and how to ease that burden. 'What is death?' 'That's what the humans call the bridge.They fear it very much. And that is why we fly to meet them.'Barnabel is a young angel who longs for a time he might be allowed to go on to the Bridge. But first he must learn about the Dark Things - pain, loneliness, rage and always fear.So much fear. And only when he is ready to carry these things and outweigh the heaviest human heart will he be able to chase away the shadows and fly all the way over the bridge.