Drawing from her personal journey and that of her daughter, Cedarville University graduate Alyson Punzi has authored a new children’s book, “He Always Hears,” aimed at teaching young readers the value of lament. The book, which will be released on September 23 by Crossway, focuses on helping children learn how to talk to God during times of hurt and loss.
The book aims to be a valuable resource for families, churches and anyone seeking to help children understand and express their grief in a way that is rooted in faith and hope.
Punzi, a 2019 Cedarville University graduate and executive assistant to the vice president for advancement, is turning personal tragedy into hope for families. She and her husband, Frank, married in 2018 after meeting as college students at Cedarville University, where both earned degrees in biblical studies. The couple looked forward to a life of family and ministry, with Frank serving as an associate pastor.
Their plans changed abruptly two years later. While vacationing in New Jersey, Alyson discovered Frank, then 25, had suffered a severe stroke. He was later diagnosed with cancer, despite previously being healthy and active. Throughout Frank’s illness and treatment, the couple relied on their Christian faith to navigate pain, uncertainty and grief. Alyson shared their experiences on the Cedarville Stories podcast in episodes titled “Learning To Lament” and “Telling God How Much Our Heart Hurts.”
After Frank’s passing in 2021, Alyson found strength in her faith and chose to focus on the enduring love of Christ as she processed her grief. She said she hopes her book will help children understand that it is okay to bring their hurt to God and find comfort in Him.
“I want to give children and parents a biblical, theological framework for how to lament — how to cry out to Jesus — and hope in a God who will always keep His promises and always hear our cries,” Punzi said.
A Story for Children and Parents
“He Always Hears” follows Jane, a young girl who experiences a series of losses, beginning with her favorite toy. Through Jane’s journey, the book introduces children to the concepts of grief, hope and lament in a way that is accessible and comforting.
Punzi describes lament as a deeply personal and biblical practice, rooted in the Psalms, that helps people process pain by turning their hearts toward God. She notes that even Jesus used the language of lament in his final moments, offering a model for honest expression of sorrow.
A Resource Born From Personal Need
After Frank’s passing, Punzi struggled to find ways to help her young daughter understand and process their shared grief. While resources on death and grief existed, she found nothing that addressed lament for children. Encouraged by friends, family and Crossway Publishing, Punzi transformed her personal writings into a book that not only helps children but also equips parents and caregivers to guide young ones through loss.
“As parents, we don’t have to wait for traumatic events to teach kids what it means to experience loss,” Punzi said. “One of my biggest goals in writing this book was to start that conversation for children who have experienced any kind of loss, big or small, and help them understand they are not alone.”
A Message of Hope
Now the mother of a five-year-old, Punzi continues to navigate difficult questions and emotions with her daughter. She hopes “He Always Hears” will offer comfort and guidance to other families facing loss, providing a way to acknowledge pain while holding onto hope.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across the arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio’s largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation's top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.