My eyes were glistening as I read the first two pages knowing that I'll be rereading this again for a lost loved one. Memorable memories mean they're always with us. Clever portrayal of the months being a variety of life experiences. Beautiful illustrations that depict acceptance. Bittersweet reflections turns into hopeful aspirations. Holds your hand while you venture into a life that misses someone but reminds you they live on in your heart. Soothes the soul and warms the heart. Emotional representation of grief merging into a promise. Recommended for those who grieve and remember. Overall, an exceptional read.

Books about loss are always sad, but this one gives hope. It shows kids that even though we have lost someone, we don't have to leave them behind. The memory of them will be with us and we can still be happy even though the loss makes us sad. Great book.

A heartwarming and very well written story. Illustrated with warm colors adds to the comfort this story brings. This book helps us to understand what we can do when we lose those close to us. It shows us so many ways that we can remember the moments we cherish and those we have lost. It is written so that children can simply understand what the author is hoping to share. I love how the author showed us the many little ways we may not even think of. It shows us that as long as we never forget and celebrate the memories we have, those we have lost will always be there with us. This book was very touching and close to our hearts. It is a perfect way to help children understand their feelings and find comfort.

Are you sad because someone you love has moved away or is more permanently gone? This book explores the way in which we keep that person in our hearts through memories and in other ways, too.
The illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff are clear, imaginative, and in muted pastel colors.
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 American Psychological Association | Magination Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available 14 May 2024

This was so sweet, and would be a great way to teach children about loss, especially the loss of a sibling. I liked the soft illustrations, and thought they fit the tone of the book.

A beautifully illustrated reminder that as time goes by, loved ones can be remembered and found in those memories. This would be good for helping a child work through grief.

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

You’ll Be There by Amanda Rawson Hill and Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, is a touching story about learning how to cope with grief. The story delves into each month of what it’s like to feel loss, and the experiences that arise from it, whether it be from old activities done together or deceptively simple coincidences that grow more lovingly complex over time. Hill reiterates continuously about the importance of holding onto the memories of our loved ones through the statement,“wherever I go, you’ll go too”. Although it’s not as good as the person actually being there, the promise is enough to turn bittersweet moments into hopeful ones.

I absolutely enjoyed the illustrations. Oftentimes when people describe death, it’s very cold. Even with concepts like reincarnation or the afterlife are involved, there’s an iciness to the conversation that practically makes adults squirm. I can’t imagine how it feels talking to a child about death. So I appreciate Lew-Vriethoff’s warm, cozy drawings. They’re very light, and give off the encouragements that people need whenever they’re going through grief.

Also, although it’s recommended for adults to talk with kids appropriately about death and grief (and not sugar coat it), the book provides a good foundation for what it means to grieve healthily. It’s important for people to know that, in a child’s eyes, the world revolves around them, and to acknowledge their pain, especially if it’s a loved one, helps relieve the pressure somewhat. We like to think that, if the child’s young enough, they won’t understand, or even remember, but that simply isn’t true. We don’t know what action they’ll pick up, or if they’ll learn the lessons we’re trying to teach them. As such, I’d like to consider this book to be a guide on how help adults learn to mourn, just as much as it is a framework on how children can express their loss.

A sweet story for children or anyone going through a loss. Pictures were calm and kids will like the monthly reminders.

This was such a good book about a topic that is sometimes hard to deal with. This book is a great way for kids to learn how to cope with the loss of a loved one. The illustrations were great too!

This book shows that even though someone has passed away, they’ll always be with us. As we go through our lives without them being physically present, they’ll be with us in spirit.

I read this with my 9-year-old niece and my 7-year-old nephew; at first, they liked the book but didn’t quite understand the meaning of “you’ll be there”. Once I explained what it meant, my niece made the connection to my uncle who recently passed and how he would still be there for my aunt. We also made a few connections regarding other loved ones we’ve lost and I’m sure it will be a book we’ll read numerous times in the years to come. We also enjoyed the beautiful illustrations.

Thank you to NetGalley, American Psychological Association and Magination Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #YoullBeThere

What a beautiful and touching book about grief, love, and loss. It shows the many ways through seasons and holidays you can still include someone you’ve lost into your life.
Thanks you to Netgalley and American Psychological Association and Magination Press for the chance to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Amanda Rawson for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book was adorable and touched on very important topics that are usually just brushed aside when it comes to kids. Grief is a difficult thing to handle as an adult, but this books does an amazing job of acknowledging the struggles kids might have, how to keep going through it all while keeping it simple and sweet. The art work is stunning and my kids loved the pictures! The only complaint I have is that it was slightly difficult to find a good reading rythm because some parts would rhyme and create a specific cadence, but then it would shift again for a few pages then go back. But that detail is so minor, I don't even think it counts. 5 Stars all around!

This book is beautifully illustrated and encompasses a year as a child pronounces they will carry their loved one who has passed away with them in all they do, noting holidays and seasonal changes. It envelops the idea that our loved ones love on in and through us. Thank you APA and Magination Press along with netGalley for the ARC in exchange of my honest opinion .

In You’ll Be There, Amanda Rawson Hill has written a sensitive and soothing picture book about dealing with grief. The narrator is a child who has lost someone very close to them. Throughout the story, they recount what they will do each month and how their loved one will be with them.
“Memories are like spring flowers, they always come back” is the first line of the book. This book uses such a beautiful method to show a child that the person they have lost will never truly be gone. Joanne Lew-Vriethoff’s illustrations are colorful but soft pastels. The book is comforting in every sense – word use, the child’s monthly activities, and illustrations. I highly recommend it to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. Suggestions to remember the lost person are powerful at any age.
Thank you to NetGalley and American Psychological Association Magination Press. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, Magination Press, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

You'll Be There
by Amanda Rawson Hill
A social emotional learning book for young children dealing with grief. The book features a girls path through a year of grief showing how the person is still with them. Its a great conversation starter for councilors and social workers, and even teachers to help students through this difficult time. The vague nature of the person whom passed is important. It allows the student to name the person they have lost. The idea that the student is still cared for by a parent, and you could use the opposite if the mother passed, is appreciated by this reader allowing for anyone whom passed to be discussed.

This is a beautiful book that, qualitatively (questionable rhyme scheme, inappropriately placed commas), doesn't hold up. On a personal level, I love it and think it should be in library collections.

This is a beautiful story about love and loss. The illustrations are stunning and increase the meaningfulness of the words. This is a wonderful story for families and councilors to share with children about remembering those who have passed and discussing grief and life after loss.

As somebody who lost a loved one at a very young age, I loved this book. The illustartions are beautifully done, and the message behind the words are incredibly written and thought out. Highly recommend to those who are helping children cope with the loss of a loved one, as well as any other children. The message is so powerful, and highly recommend.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A beautiful story for children to remember their loved ones. I love how the story goes through each month and holiday.