I received an ARC of this children's book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a beautiful book about how to feel close to someone who is not physically here. I have added this to my list of books to buy for my nephew. He lives several hours away and this will be such a wonderful reminder to him that even when we are not physically together, we are still always close in our hearts and thoughts and minds!

The pictures in this book are really wonderful. They are so adorable!

I LOVED this book and the sentiment behind it! Literally made me emotional thinking about reading this to my baby. I really enjoyed the bright and detailed illustration throughout and seeing the different animals. It was really sweet and definitely eye catching. I could see this being helpful for children struggling with separation anxiety and needing affirmation. Would 100% recommend!

Grab the tissues!

This sweet, comforting picture book reminds little ones (and their grown-ups) that love doesn't disappear with distance. Through gentle, lyrical rhyming text and dreamy, heartfelt illustrations, “When I Am Not with You” reassures readers that we are always connected in our hearts and minds, even when we're apart.

It reminded me of “Love You Forever” in the way it delivers such an emotional, yet powerful message. Whether it's read before bedtime, on the first day of school, before a big trip, or anytime a child needs a little extra reassurance, this is a story families will reach for again and again.

I received a complimentary advance review copy of this book via NetGalley; thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Wright Olsen, and Zonderkidz-Books.

Pub Date: September 22, 2026

A sweet picture book filled with lots of cute animal families that reminds children that they’re never alone. The illustrations are bright, stylish and beautiful, perfect for holding a kids attention.
A great book to read to anxious kids going back to school or especially those just starting school. Just a lovely book to remind kids you’re always with them.

This was a really lovely children's book that I think would be a great tool for any type of separation; starting school, a parent leaving for a work trip, or possibly even a loss. The illustrations were beautiful and my son was captivated by the different animals and the different places in which we saw them. We enjoyed the rhyming scheme and the different ways that you can choose to connect with someone who is gone away. A lovely read, many thanks for the ARC.

When I Am Not With You is a children's book about what to do when you miss someone, told in rhyme. I really liked that it gave 2 options that could easily be put into practice: thinking about a happy memory with the person and how to do relaxation breathing. My kids enjoyed how many of the animal characters wear glasses, like they do. The illustrations are colorful and sweet. This would be a great story for kiddos heading to school or daycare, who need a reminder of what to do if they miss their grown ups.

Thanks to Zonderkidz-Books and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Such a sweet book. Children get so attached to certain people that it can cause such traumatic separation anxiety. This book shows that no matter the distance and time apart ;memories will help soothe the heartache of missing someone.

This was so sweet and encouraging! It is especially perfect for an anxious child who may be starting something new (like school!). It’s wonderful for a range of children, I’d say anywhere from infant to upper elementary. The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL and immersive, with such vivid colors. Each picture told its own story. I will absolutely buy a physical copy when it is released. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for early access!

A beautiful children's book about love. I think this would be great for kids who struggle with separation anxiety from their parents, or for kids starting school/daycare and are nervous to be away.
The illustrations are beautiful and full of detail.

Beautiful art and heartwrenching, beautiful words that brought tears to my eyes. I read it to my 3 and 5 year old who also loved it!
I highly recommend this book.

The illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and well done. The message was a little confusing it seems that it’s saying we are always together even when we aren’t which I think sounds abstract for a kid to understand. As we go on in the story I do think that’s where we were going. Cute concept may be hard for kids to understand and grasp. There’s no message at the end either or a direct tie to god in this one. I still think it’s a cute story though.

I love this sweet children's book! The artwork is endearing and beautiful, and the message is positive and full of love. I also really enjoyed the rhythm of the writing being in verse. This is a must-buy for me, and I will be recommending it to everyone!

The illustrations for this one are stunning. I like that the characters are all going through their own version of separation anxiety, whether big or small, but they are given tools to cope and shown that it is okay to be a little anxious. I like that all different types of situations were depicted and there were multiple strategies for dealing with the anxiety.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Zonderkidz for the advance gifted copy of this title.

Thank you to Zonderkidz and NetGalley for providing an advance reading copy.

When I Am Not with You is one of those children’s books I wish I’d had years ago. It takes the very big feelings that can come with being separated from someone you love and makes them feel manageable without ever dismissing them.

Rather than simply reassuring children that their grown-up will come back, the story helps them focus on what they can control. Through shared memories, imagination, breathing, and other concrete strategies, children learn that they can still carry their connection with someone even when that person isn’t physically beside them. I especially appreciated that the book never suggests the goal is to stop missing someone. Being apart can hurt, and that’s okay. Instead, it gives children tools for what they can do with those feelings.

The illustrations are simple but beautiful and incredibly intentional. Different animal families appear throughout the story, with small details—even grey whiskers showing different ages and stages of life—that broaden the meaning beyond one specific parent-child relationship. The artwork is bright and engaging while remaining accessible, and the emotional-regulation strategies are incorporated naturally enough that the book still feels like a story rather than a therapy exercise.

Although marketed toward younger children, I could see this being valuable beyond the intended age range, particularly for autistic children, children with OCD, or other kids who experience separation intensely and benefit from concrete coping strategies. I would especially recommend it for families navigating school transitions, separation anxiety, military deployments, extended work trips or travel, or any circumstance where a child will spend significant time away from someone they love. The message works whether the separation lasts a few hours or much longer.

This is a beautiful reminder that physical distance doesn’t erase connection—and that children can learn ways to carry the people they love with them.

Who should read this? Families navigating separation anxiety or extended time apart, military families, frequent travelers, caregivers preparing children for school or other transitions, and children who benefit from concrete emotional-regulation tools.

Join parent and child animal pairs on a heartwarming adventure of reassurance. A variety of activities, as well as emotions, are explored in answer to the question posed by the title. A charming story told in rhyming verse that’s sure to be a bedtime favorite!