This beautiful picture book is the perfect book for families looking for a new bedtime story. The artwork is absolutely stunning, with the northern lights in the background. The messaging about being together and loving one another is also beautiful. I can definitely see families reading this together and small children cuddling up to look at the pictures. I would definitely recommend this book! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this sweet book.

This is a very short and sweet story about the power of families, or more specifically, mothers. We are given a small tale about a cub and it's mother going on a short journey and how the cub shines with the support of the mom. It gives useful lessons in the importance of having someone "always by your side" and providing endless support.

This book was incredibly sweet with adorable illustrations. My kids enjoyed it, especially my 3 year old going through a bear phase. Its a good quick read to calm down before bedtime for her.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

What a cute book!
The illustrations are stunning.
I can definitely see myself reading this at one of my storytimes in the future.

What a cute little read! My son loves polar bears so we were super excited to read this! He loves it and wants a copy to put on his shelf, so we’ll be purchasing in September:)
Thank you for the wonderful story!!

Thank you NetGalley, for a e-copy for an honest review

Read this with my nephew and he loved this book.
He loved that it was about the polar bears and loved the pictures.
I loved the illustrations/ the colour palette that was used. I can’t wait till this book comes out so I can get him a physical copy.

I read Always By Your Side with my 4- and 8-year-old granddaughters, and we all thought it was a good read. While it wasn't one that completely wowed us, it was still a sweet story with a positive message.

The illustrations were definitely the standout. They are beautiful and really help bring the story to life. The story itself focuses on a young polar bear cub learning to be brave with the encouragement of her mother, and I liked the gentle message about courage, confidence, and knowing someone is always there to support you.

My granddaughters enjoyed it, but it wasn't one they were talking about long after we finished reading. They thought it was good, just not a new favorite. I think younger children, especially those who enjoy animal stories and calming bedtime books, will probably get the most out of it.

Overall, it's a lovely picture book with gorgeous artwork and a heartwarming message that would make a nice addition to a family or classroom library.

This book is so sweet, my kids and I enjoyed reading it together. The illustrations and story itself are beautiful! I plan to add this book to our home library when it becomes available.

The artwork in this book IS STUNNING. I loved the story so much. My daughter loved seeing the cub cuddling it's mother. I will be buying a copy.

I thought this book was super cute. Perfect for my baby/toddler storytime. Will definitely be buying for our library!

While the book had beautiful pictures, that were truly stunning, my 4 year old said this book was "eh" and that he "did not like this book". Now, with that noted, he loves most books and this was the first time I've ever heard him not be immersed in a story.

The imagery in the book was gorgeous- it had the perfect amount of detail and the colors were very eye catching. The idea behind the story was fantastic; I definitrly want all of my children to feel stronger, safer, and more empowered when they're with me which is exactly what this book encourages. The story didn't have cute rhymes, but it was short and able to get the point across.

I think for children who really love to look at the pictures, and follow the story a bit less, this book will be absolutely perfect. I'll be reading it to my 2 year old separately (as he always latches onto whatever big brother says when they're together), so there is still hope that it will be beloved by someone in our home!

I received this eARC from the publisher and Net Galley in exchange for my honest feedback.

"Always by Your Side" s a beautifully heartfelt picture book that celebrates the quiet confidence a loving parent can inspire. Jonny Lambert gently reminds young readers that courage doesn't mean never feeling afraid. Sometimes it simply means believing in yourself because someone believed in you first.

Lambert's text is warm and reassuring, but it's the breathtaking illustrations that truly elevate the story. Rich with color and emotion, they communicate just as much as the words on the page, beautifully reflecting the little cub's emotional journey. I especially loved how the artwork mirrors the shift in confidence, filling each spread with warmth, wonder, and hope.

This is a touching reminder of the lasting impact a supportive adult can have in a child's life. A wonderful read-aloud that encourages bravery, curiosity, and resilience while celebrating the bond between parent and child.

Always By Your Side is a short, but comforting journey of visual storytelling with masterful use of color in illustration. The lyricism of the text makes it a beautiful read-aloud choice, but the true triumph here is how the color pallet evolves to match the stories emotion.

When the cub briefly wanders off, the artwork shifts to an isolated, stark all-white background of snow, perfectly mirroring the quiet, vulnerable feeling of being lost. Yet, the narrative maintains a gentle safety net, ensuring the cub is never out of earshot from their mother. When they are reunited, the pages instantly flood with color again, vibrant blues of the water, the warm yellow sun, and sprawling mountains bursting back to life.

By layering the cub’s growth naturally, using an earlier swimming milestone to build the exact courage they need later on, the book feels deeply nostalgic and well grounded.. It is a visually spectacular, comforting read that evokes a profound sense of security, making it a dream addition for a cozy read-aloud session.

* I received an Advanced Review Copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Always by Your Side is a beautifully illustrated picture book that feels like stepping into the Arctic alongside a curious young polar bear and their loving parent. The artwork is absolutely breathtaking and truly carries the story, creating an immersive experience that young readers will want to linger over.

I especially loved the message about courage, exploration, and the comfort of knowing a parent is there to guide and support you as you discover the world. It's a gentle, reassuring story that I would happily read to my own children.

One thing I found myself wondering about was the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) logo on the book. If part of the book's production supports responsible forestry initiatives, I would love to know more about that, as it could help explain the higher price point. At $18.99, the cost feels a bit steep for such a simple text-focused story. Personally, I think this book would be an incredible fit as a smaller board book at a more accessible price point. It's exactly the kind of book I would grab immediately while browsing a bookstore for a young child.

That said, the stunning illustrations and heartfelt message make this a lovely addition to any child's library. Parents looking for a gentle story about bravery, independence, and unconditional support will find a lot to love here.

A heartwarming tale inspiring little ones to find courage in the nearness of loved ones. Little Cub is fearful of change and distance, but her mother's encouragement teaches her bravery and adventuresomeness. Beautiful illustrations accompany the text.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful! I enjoyed reading this story to my kids (even though it brought a tear to my eye) and its message of courage and supporting one another.

My 6-year-old twins really enjoyed the book as well, saying it was a great bedtime story. They said their favourite part was how cute the polar bear is and the ending made them happy,