New Book 'Where Did TJ Go?' Offers Gospel Hope to Grieving Families
When her sister's family faced a tragic death three years ago, podcaster and author Annie F. Downs began searching for a children's book to help her young nephew cope. Unable to find one with a gospel focus, Downs did what any author would do. She wrote it herself.
That book, Where Did TJ Go? (Revell), tells the tragic yet hope-filled story of a young boy, Sam, who rejoices upon learning his mother is pregnant but is overcome with sorrow when his newborn brother, TJ, dies shortly after birth. After Sam's parents comfort him with news that TJ is now in heaven, he begins imagining what TJ is doing: Maybe TJ is riding a bike in heaven, maybe he's riding a giraffe, or maybe he's listening as Jesus reads him a book.
The book was released in February, nearly three years after Downs' sister, Tatum Green, lost her son, TJ. They are co-authors of the book.
Sam was about 18 months old at the time, Downs said.
"TJ was born with a life-limiting diagnosis," Downs told Crosswalk Headlines. "A couple of months before he was born, my sister calls me and says, 'My counselor says we should read a book to Sam to help him understand TJ dying. What book should we read?'"
Downs asked friends, counselors, and pastors for recommendations, but none of the books conveyed the message she was seeking. Every book on the market lacked the "Gospel story we wanted to tell," she said.
Initially, Downs' book was a private manuscript -- spiral-bound and laminated -- intended only for her sister. But once she saw the impact it had, she offered it to her publisher.
Today, thousands of families have a copy in their homes. Nonprofits are purchasing them in bulk, offering them to "families who are trying to process a grieving parent raising grieving children," she said.
Significantly, Downs said, the book is open and honest about death. It doesn't say TJ "went away" or "passed." It says he "died."
"We die on Earth, and we are with God in heaven afterwards," said Downs, host of the That Sounds Fun podcast.
The book offers a balance of honesty and hope, explaining that it's okay to be sad about TJ's death.
"We can still be sorry that TJ is not with us -- like, we can be so glad for where TJ is, that he is not in pain, that we will see him again. But it is okay to also have moments where we go, 'Oh, today's TJ's birthday, or, oh, I wish TJ was here.'"
The back of the book includes a letter from a child counselor with advice on coping.
Downs said the book's potential audience is vast. About 10-20 percent of pregnancies end in a miscarriage.
"Not only are you dealing with your own grief," she said of parents, "but you're making breakfast -- you're getting up and feeding people and making sure they go to school, and [you're] helping them with their grief. And so that's who we hope this serves -- the families that have not had this and needed it. And then we hope it's on the shelves for the rest of their lives so that when a friend does need it, we don't have to look very far to give them the resource that'll help their kids."
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Annie F. Downs
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published March 14, 2025.
