We'll Be Together Again

A clever slice of positivity, that seems to be born from a lockdown world, but would apply to any family split over the miles with any number of reasons why they cannot meet. On the left-hand page you get the thoughts of a young girl, sent a teddy bear as a reminder of his love from her grandfather, while on the right-hand page said grandfather is in his cabin, wishing he had his family closer to hand. Until on the left-hand page, when our girl is ringing the right-hand page to say they can meet up at last – but there is no reply...

You are at liberty to try and read these narratives alongside each other, but it's also very satisfying to read hers and then his, even if the spoiler becomes an issue. Strong graphics may perhaps have given this a five star rating if there had been more play between the two frames – yes, desks, boxes etc are the same height and size whichever story they're part of, and they do share a thought bubble once, but I wonder if more merging of the two might have been possible. Either way, though, this is distinctive, compelling and ultimately heart-warming – something many children may well need, and something some adults may not realise they need, too.

This is a sweet book about a little girl and her grandfather separated for a while. They are able to communicate with each other and eventually get to see each other again. I highly recommend.

This is SO sweet! I love that the stories are told side-by-side so readers can see that Belle and her beloved grandpa are still connected even while apart. They both honestly express their sadness and frustration at being separated, but it's tempered with hope, resilience, and the core understanding that being apart doesn't diminish their love or connection.

This story couldn't be better-timed! It will be meaningful and comforting to kids to see things on the page that they've experienced and hopefully this story will give them the opening and vocabulary to talk about their experiences and feelings.

The illustrations are lovely and full of fun detail. This will be a great addition to pre-K and elementary school, classroom, and personal libraries!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

I received an advance copy of, We'll Be Together Again, by Lucy Menzies. This is a great book. Last year was a different and difficult year for people, old and young alike. It was hard not seeing your loved ones.

I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books through NetGalley.
Beautifully written story that shares the pain in missing someone and the many ways love eases that pain. Belle and Grandpa Jack have to be separated in her city home and his country one. Menzies leaves the reason they can't be together open ended so the book can apply to a variety of situations. Readers can choose to read the two stories side by side or read one and then the other. The love shines through the text and the illustrations. Readers will feel like they are traveling between the homes to see the emotions felt by Grandpa Jack and Belle.
A lovely story for families to share together to help children and adults feel connected even when they are apart.

What a beautiful story of a grandfather and a granddaughter separated by time, distance, and perhaps other reasons. The illustrations have so much extra details that will be enjoyed by children and adults for years to come -- this is a must-have for all families!

A lovely picture book that eludes to the separation that many families have had t go through during the pandemic, but never names the reason that there is a separation, so, I suppose, it could be timeless.

Told from two different sides, so that you can see what the grandfather is going through, while the granddaughter goes through something similar.

A good book to reassure kids that those who are away for whatever reason are missing them as much as they miss them.

<em> Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. </em>

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This children's book is beautiful. And I think it would be really helpful to a lot of children who struggled with being separated from their relatives during the pandemic. The pictures in the book are fantastic as well.

I love this book and I am sure that kids will also this book is told from two different points of view the granddaughter and the grandpa. They have to stay away from each other for a while and then are able to finally see each other again. It is a beautiful little story that is perfect for what is currently going on in the world. Loved the illustrations and the story. A great book to help kids understand they aren't the only ones lives that have changed.

We’ll Be Together Again was a heartwarming story for someone who misses a loved one that they’re not able to see. There are two stories happening at the same time from the POV of a young girl and her grandfather who lives in the snowy mountains. It’s not revealed why they cannot see each other but as time passes they stay in touch via mail, gifts, and phone calls until they can be together again.

Having two lovely stories happening simultaneously makes this book a unique presentation and it has gorgeous illustrations throughout. I enjoyed this one & would recommend for young readers missing their loved ones who live far away or have been separated for whatever reasons.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully illustrated and engagingly written book telling the story of Belle and her Grandfather Jack and how they are both missing each other so much. It is cleverly written so that we read both sides of the story and this is a very useful tool for building empathy for children. This is a perfect book for any families or friends who have to spend time apart. I highly recommend it.

Perfect timing! This sweet heartwarming book is a must read for such a time as this.

The format is very creative as it really is two books in one. They can be enjoyed solo or as a side-by-side reading experience.

Belle, who lives in the city, and her beloved Grandpa Jack, who lives by himself in the snowy mountains, are temporarily separated and both miss each other terribly. Thoughtful Grandpa Jack sends Belle a teddy bear to keep her safe and remind her of him until they are reunited. Both do not know when that reunion will take place but when it does it will a HUGE CELEBRATION of family, connectivity and love!

The illustrations are bright, colourful and full of emotion. "We'll Be Together Again" is the perfect read for kids who are separated from those they love. The book will ignite conversations about personal feelings and strategies to help cope when intervals of separation take place. I highly recommend this book.

This book was so sweet! You get to see what the grandfather and the grandchild are up to around the same time they're up to it together. They're both thinking about each other, and the way in which they stay connected until they can see each other again in person is so thoughtful.

Such a cute book this one turned out to be! You can read it as two separate stories or in a combined narrative. That is the biggest USP of the book, though by no means is it the only good point of this gem.

The pages on the left show the story of little Belle, who lives with her parents in the city. She adores her grandpa Jack and misses him terribly. But he can’t come to meet her for some unspecified reason. When he sends her a teddy bear as a gift to remember him by, she carries it around everywhere. But when will they meet?

The pages on the right show the story of Grandpa Jack, who lives alone in the mountains. He loves his cute little granddaughter and is waiting patiently for the day when he can meet her again. Will his wish come true soon?

I simply loved the dual story setup. I read both the tales simultaneously, and that didn’t hinder my comprehension in any way. It was fun to see both the storylines unfolding simultaneously. At the same time, I can see how reading only Belle’s narrative or Jack’s narrative turn by turn can add to the anticipation.

I liked how the reason for Grandpa Jack’s inability to travel wasn’t explained outright. This provides the story with a blank page and parents/guardians reading this story to youngsters can fill in any appropriate reason they feel like to explain the issue. It could be a covid-related lockdown, it could be ill-health, it could be some travel-related issues… But the book helps little ones receive hope that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, that all problems eventually come to an end, and that we must make the best of what we have in the meantime.

The vocabulary level is suitable for early readers. The book is mainly in prose and only Grandpa Jack’s letters to Belle and her letters to him are in rhyming format. This works wonderfully as it is like getting the best of both worlds. (I always love kiddie books that don’t force rhymes into their text.)

The illustrations are charming and take the story to an even greater level. (Grandpa Jack’s cat steals the show in the sketches!)

This would be a beautiful story for families to read together as it reinforces so many lovely values such as regular communication, respect for elders, parental and grandparental bonding and positive thinking. Heartily recommended.

My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC of “We'll Be Together Again”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.