I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Always Carry Me With You is a heartfelt children's picture book about a father and child's bond and how he shows the child using a pebble, how he can always be with them at all times. The pebble can be used as a comfort, a plaything, a treasure, a useful object, and so much more throughout the book. As someone who uses a worry stone for anxiety, I found this a great book for children, especially if they suffer from anxiety or separation anxiety. I collect heart-shaped pebbles, so this book called to me to read it. The illustrations are so lovely and capture the attention of the listener.

This book starts out as a little odd. It starts with a person wishing they were a stone. And most of the page is telling you about stones big and small, and what can and can’t be done with them. Then it morphs into a story about belonging. How sometimes a stone can be so small that it can be held in a hand. That the act of holding the stone could make you feel or remember the person who gave it to you. So very touching book and very well done. A moment about the art. This art seems fresh and new, at the same time it has a retro 70s mod feeling. The art is the best thing about this book. The story is fantastic but it’s the art that makes it memorable. I want to see more of this art style. I want to hang these pictures on my wall. I want to give this book to others.

A father wishes he were a stone in his daughter's pocket so that he could always be with her to remind her that she is loved and never alone. A sweet sentiment by the author, brought to life by marvelous, retro-looking illustrations by Fred Benaglia.

Always Carry Me With You is such an adorable book. We love it. While teaching us about the love from Daddy to his child. In this story the Dad tells his daughter how he wishes he could be a pebble in her pocket so she would always have him with her. He teaches her all about the pebbles and stones and the many ways to use them. It has wonderful illustrations that really bring out the warmth of the story. It is such a creative way to find a symbol for a child to hold onto. Especially if in a sad situation and they will be apart. This book is perfect to read with your child. It is one of those that can create a bond each time you read. It is very heartwarming and touching and I am so thankful we received this ARC from NetGalley. We will be treasuring this story for a long time.

This is a beautiful story about a father wishing that he was a pebble so that his daughter could remember that he was always with her, the art style was far from what I was expecting but I loved how bright and colourful it was, it felt like it was made out of mixed media in a way and that made it even more engaging.

I was sent this e-Arc on Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Awe, this book was sweet and loving. It's about a father and child's bond with one another. The father uses a stone/pebble to reference his place in his child's life. He does this by, talking with his child about the stone/pebble's durability and longevity. The father wants his child to know that he will always be there for his child. I suggest this book to a parent and child to read together as it's a special story to share.

Love Always, Catherine

I received an advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book discusses stones, mentions various ways in which they are useful. It gives examples of what objects are made of stone and how stones can be used in play. It then shifts to a Dad wishing he was a small pebble so he can be with his child always.

I thoroughly enjoyed the illustrations, I found them so unique and charming! The pebble with the face was so cute.

I found the story to be a bit misleading based off of the title and cover. I thought that it would be a story entirely about a bond between a child and their father. I thought the story would consist of their time together and some moments when they are apart from one another. I thought the use of the pebble would be used as a placeholder for their father when the child goes off to do various activities independently, where they can touch/see the pebble and think of their dad when needing comfort in trying new things themselves.

It was an enjoyable read, it just felt like it was two different stories in one book. The majority of the book is learning about stones then the last few pages it shifts to what is relevant to the title “Always Carry me with You”: A dad wishing he was a little pebble to be with his child always.

It is definitely worth requesting/checking out at your local library!

Interesting blend of connection with father and child and a science lesson in rocks. It would work really well for a child with anxiety, a parent with a terminal illness or divorce where the physical presence may not always be there.

Always Carry Me with You is a unique and heartwarming love letter from a father to daughter. He wishes he was a humble stone so she could carry him in her pocket and he would be with her forever.

I had such a smile on my face as I read this story. The author did a beautiful job of capturing the marvel of a ‘humble stone’ before the heartwarming conclusion of a father wanting to help hops daughter to feel comfortable and safe. The mixed media illustrations were vibrant and unique, and provided a wonderful layer of narration.

This is a beautiful story for a child to read with their caregiver, particularly if they are navigating big feelings, assignment, missing someone, or needing comfort.

Thank you Quarto Publishing Groups-Ivy Kids, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – Ivy Kids, Ivy Kids Eco, and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read and review. This is such a sweet story, that shows not only all of the incredible things a humble little stone could be in the world, but also how lovely it is to just be near the ones you love. A stone in a museum case, or a stone in the tiny pocket of a little one, all joy!

This is such a wonderful children's book! I loved the illustrations, colors, and sweet story. My kiddos also think it is great! It tells the story of all the things a stone can do, from simple to complex. It is educational and brings about a sense of wonder about the many roles rocks can play in the world. It is also sweet & inspiring! I recommend picking this one up and enjoying it with your kiddos.

A cute book about a dad wishing he was a stone so his little girl can always carry him with her. It's a sweet story.

The illustrations are really lovely and unique. Definitely eye-catching and playful in their mix of artwork.

Aww what a heartwarming tale! Who also knew how versatile a stone could be also? A perfect book for children suffering with anxiety in many different forms! Gorgeous and colourful illustrations too! 🌟📚

This children's book felt like the love letter of a dad to his daughter. The beginning is surprising as this starts with "I wish I were a stone", and goes on with how stones can be used. And at the end, we understand why the narrotor wishes to be a stone. The illustrations are unique, colourful and playful.

thank you for allowing me to review this book!

i wanted to read it mostly because of the illustrations, then i realized that this is supposed to be a love letter from a little girl to her father so that they never abandon each other. i think that it is sooo adorable!

honestly, the illustrations are very vivid and add a lot of movement to the story. i think that children would enjoy its vibrant colors, and parents would also enjoy reading this with their children!

I'm not sure if this is a science lesson hidden within a love letter or a love letter hidden within a science lesson, but either way, it works. In "Always Carry Me with You", a father tells his daughter all sorts of cool things about rocks...and then compares his love for her to a rock, something she can carry in her pocket as a reminder that it's there.

It's sweet any way you slice it, but honestly, the first audience I thought about for this was children whose parents are terminally ill or otherwise facing an uncertain future. I don't mean this in a maudlin way (and obviously the book is perfectly appropriate in happier contexts!), but I imagine that one thing you'd want to do in that scenario is find ways to support your kid even after you're gone...which might include giving them a way to carry your love with them. (Just, uh. Make sure they know that it's not just one specific pebble that'll do the job. Kids lose things. *Adults* lose things.)

The drawings are playful (and somehow feel very French?), with more than enough whimsy to keep kids looking. The font feels like an afterthought, but that seems like a pretty minor objection, all things considered.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

a cute read for some elementary school kids, my 4 year old didn’t enjoy it much though and he lost interest quick.

I read this as an arc on NetGalley because I wanted just to take 5 minutes and read a refreshing little children’s book and boy did this deliver. This was a very cute book and it was a quick enjoyable time. I found the pebble idea to be a nice concept for what this book was trying to tell the reader. I also loved the artwork in the book and how the pebble kind of glows in the child’s pocket. Recommend for people with younger children. :)

Informative, heartwarming, and with a unique art style, this little book was a delight! It's got a bit of a moody vibe to it, which might not make it an ideal bedtime read for kiddos, but I think it would be perfect for story time with parents.

This book unfortunately wasn't for me. I didn't like the drawings, they were too basic for me. I do like the positive and loving way the story unfolds until the end.