The beautiful illustrations in this picture book, reminiscent of Chagall, are full of glowing colour. The angels are making a blue silk dress for Elise's arrival in heaven, but there is some disquiet. Angelica is worried because there are no blue pearls to adorn the dress. There must be three, one for each of Elise's children. The head angel, after advice from 'the higher power', finds the blue pearls in the smallest oyster, and she sends Angelica after them. Angelica not only collects the pearls, but also goes to Elise's house, where she finds Elise teaching her children that she must leave them and that loving and being loved is the most important thing in life. We finally see Elise arriving in heaven amid scenes of music and joy. The most positive aspect of this book (and an unusual one) is the emphasis on what happens after death, the happy and careful preparation for the expected newcomer in heaven - a reassuring idea that should bring great comfort to a child ready to believe. The book was inspired by the death of Elizabeth Warfel's daughter from cancer, and it has been used for training volunteers in Great Ormand Street Hospital's Bereavement Service.