This sweet but also sad story covers difficult topics such as loss and grief, but in a fairly light and child-friendly way. The story features two otters who are always together until one day they are not. The feelings of sadness, anger and fear are covered, showing that there is a range of feelings associated with grief. The watercolour illustrations are really well done and beautiful to look at. I think that this would be a good book to use to introduce death or loss to a younger child. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review it.

Amazing pictures. A great book to allow kids to talk about emotions. Great for classrooms, libraries, and counseling centers.

ALWAYS TOGETHER is a beautiful exploration of loss and grief. The story is comforting and the illustrations are gorgeous. Appropriate for children, this book is also meaningful for adults. I'm glad to have read it. I'd highly recommend.

Definitely a success, this surprises only when it says it's a debut piece from this creator, but is no worse for doing things many previous books have done. For this is doing it with class, detail, character and wonderful visuals. This is one of those introductory looks at grief, but with otters – it concerns two of the critters who are very much in love with each other, and with life, and probably with their ever-present red plastic ball. Notably the narration is only from one of them, because the other is to die, leaving the sadness, loneliness and sorrow to be carried by the other. It will not shock you to know the survivor is OK with everything, as long as the memories and happiness remain, as the title implies. Most sensitively handled, this is a pretty piece with its watercolour art, and a short text that will trip few young readers up in its simplicity. I think it has to be four and a half stars for its look and its positivity.

Wow, I was not expecting to cry during a short Children's book read! So warning, this one hits you in your emotional bits.

Always Together is about being together - until you are not. Two best otters play together, eat together, and go everything together, until one isn't theree any more and the one left is sad and lonely, scared and mad too.

I liked this book because it is good to talk about stuff like this, stages of grief and what it means when you feel these things. The otters were adorable, but wow it was SO SAD! and I was not expecting it. I think it took an interesting route - it does not explain at all where the other otter went or why they aren't there anymore, leaving readers just as upset as their friend.

The book has beautiful watercolor art and it is gorgeous, whimsical and sweet. I loved it.

Animal lovers beware, it is a sad book, but could be used as a teaching tool really effectively about loss and grief, but also about moving on in healthy ways.

This was a really sweet and heartwarming picture book about two otters who are always together, no matter what. When one of them passes away, the other is left to deal with the grief and sadness left behind. The book goes through the motions of grief with both loneliness and anger. But by looking back at memories and having friends that support, the otters realizes that the two of them will always be together, even if that’s through their memories. Wonderful pictures accompany the text, conveying both the grief and the happiness the otters and other animals experience. It’s a lovely, lovely read that tugs on the heartstrings!

Exquisite book that shows the joy of being with a loved one and then the heart-rending grief of being apart - forever, living with the memories of that joy. Surely a comfort for children experiencing grief.
Two otters are always together - until they are not. Only those who have known the pain of loss and separation will understand immediately what has happened yet even young children can understand the grief the remaining otter feels.

This book is beautiful. An excellent way to introduce the topic of grief to younger people. Would not read it for story time, as it is incredibly emotional (I am a softie), but I would definitely purchase it for my library

Loved the illustrations, just so sweet. This story encourages us to have a really good friend, someone who you can do everything with. It also teaches us how important it is to make memories. The story shows how important it is to look back on our good memories when we suddenly don’t have that person. A great book to help a child deal with separation or loss. A very gentle book about this topic. There are parts that made me sad, but I felt so much better as the ending focuses on the beautiful memories these two best friends had. Highly recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a children’s book that covers topics of how to deal with big emotions such as loss and grief. It is great for the target age and the illustrations are wonderful

"Always Together" by Patricia Kreiser is a picture book to help kids grapple with the topics of loss and grief. The illustrations are very nicely done. The text is appropriate for the target age range. One concern I had is that it might be difficult to see because of the font size and color contrast between the font color and illustrations in the background. Otherwise, I think this is a good option for helping kids navigate their big feelings.

And easy to digest book about lost. Nowadays, it is not rare to see best friends got parted, child has to let one of the parents go, and so many heartbreaking goodbyes. Through this book, a beautifully illustrated one, we learn on how to cope with the loss.

This is a very sweet but also kinda sad book about always being with someone and then missing them when they are gone and how much that can hurt and how remembering the good times you had with them can help make that hurt a bit less. Beautifully illustrated.

Always together...until you are not

Two otters spend their lives doing lots of activities together. One day, one otter finds that he must do them alone. Experiencing an array of feelings helps the otter to remember happy memories of time spend together. The otter realizes that although his friend is no longer physically with him, his spirit remains through the memories that were made.

Patricia Kreiser's heart warming story of two otters enjoying life together will bring smiles and tears. We all face loss at some point in life which leads to negativing feelings. Patricia also reminds us that even though we may feel alone, remembering the joyful times keeps love ones alive and in our hearts.

I highly recommend this book. I enjoyed this book as it made me smile with its beautiful illustrations....as well as a tear. The books ends on a positive note...reminding us that we are not alone.

Beautifully sad, gorgeously illustrated picture book with two otter at the center…until there is only one. Probably not a book to read with a child who has recently experienced loss but when the grief is not as fresh, this may help young ones realize that even after death, memories will live on. Could possibly be used in advance of the death of a loved one. Other beautiful books with the same theme are Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Jayne Pillemer’s Still Mine.

It can be so challenging to talk to little kids about grief and loss. CHildren's books, in my experience, are best when they help you simplify what would otherwise we a very, very hard conversation to have. This book proves it.

Visually delightful too, I was joyous to see otters in the water...and then the curveball of one otter having to survive without the other. Definitely on my shelf for any kids I read to!

What started as a sweet story just got sad really quickly because why not? Man, i forgot how kids books are also able to make full grown women cry. Really enjoyed the art style which reminded me of the best days. The book has such soothing vibes because of the art style. So thank you netgalley for the arc

had so much fun reading this book, the story is so adorable and the illustrations were so well done and charming, there’s so many little details in every page that I couldn’t stop but be mesmerized by it all. I will definitely be recommending it! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

Amazingly written book with wonderful illustrations. Teared up a bit and thought about how the use of simple enough language would allow me to adapt this book in a teaching and learning session in class with my low proficiency kids. Will look forward to purchasing the book when it is released. Thank you for the opportunity!

Happy times sharing everything together can suddenly end when that one special person goes out of one's life. Sadness and grief comes with the realization that it won't happen again. In time the sadness lessens and memories of the good times become more real. The cycle of life, loss, and adaptation are the way of things and not an end.
The illustrations by the author are fun, detailed, joyous or dimmed, and lively.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from IBPA/independently published via NetGalley. Thank you!
@CBCBook