Have you ever struggled to open one of those bottles that have a child-safety cap? Sometimes we adults have trouble opening the bottles designed to keep children from getting into something harmful; even though what is contained inside may be for their benefit if properly administered. The topic of death and afterlife is something most people do not wish to discuss with children. In fact, they do not wish to discuss it at all, with anyone.

Some of the Parts is a book written for children, but its very grown up message will not be grasped by everyone. Even though the poetic, rhyming book only takes a few minutes to get into, the benefits will last a lifetime--and not just this lifetime. The book is about life after death told in the form of a riddle that creates an entertaining story. Maker allows us free will to choose our own path. Maker shows us wisdom to guide our daily lives. Maker is there for us when we leave this body of dust and ash and will teach us what is really important.

The illustrations in the book are simple but they help to convey the meaning, or perhaps they are there to hide the secrets of the soul. What are the chips of tile supposed to represent? Who is the old fool? What tray is furthest to the south? What are the staff, cape, and beard supposed to mean? Can you solve the math problem? Was the storm real or imagined? Whatever your interpretation of the message, you can rest assured that you will take from the pages more than your logical mind can absorb. Its message speaks to the ever-living spirit.

Even the book's title is a play on words. If said aloud, "Some of the Parts" could be heard as "sum of the parts." The book is divided into parts: first part, second part, third part, the sad part, the better part, and the future part. The message is in the sum of the parts.

That's not all that is concealed in the book. I love the hidden picture of the baby boy. It only took a few seconds before his sweet face appeared. The face is that of the author's son. He was born to him by his wife when she was nearly 60 years old. That in itself is a mystery--a miracle to remind us that anything is possible to those who think it is.
Some of the Parts is a deep, intricate work of art. The expensive stock and quality printing provide a backdrop that allows Rzeppa to tell a story, without telling the reader what to believe. He only tells what is possible. He allows the reader to make up her own mind about death, life and all its mystery.

Even if children do not understand the entire story, they will be touched by the spirit of love in which it is written. "You're never by yourself, my son, as long as you are known. That which never dies is fashioned out of thought." Our loved ones are only a thought away.

It's a beautiful hardcover book I will want to read again and again. Its rhythmic and lyrical style is fun to read aloud. I can't wait to share it with my grandson and hear what he has to say about it. To a child, so much is taught; from a child, so much is wrought.