You Weren't With Me

A book to help families talk about difficult separations

“A sensitive, reassuring, and well-illustrated work.” “Get It.”- Kirkus Reviews

Little Rabbit and Big Rabbit are together again after a difficult separation, but Little Rabbit is not ready to cuddle up and receive Big Rabbit’s love. Little Rabbit needs Big Rabbit to understand what it felt like when they were apart. “Sometimes I am very mad. I don’t understand why you weren’t with me,” says Little Rabbit, “I worry you will go away again.” Big Rabbit listens carefully and helps Little Rabbit to feel understood and loved.

Through this heartfelt story, parents and children are guided to talk about difficult separations, reconnect, and find their way back to each other. The book may be helpful to families who have experienced:

• Divorce involving separations from loved ones
• Caregiver work-related separations
• Military service related separations
• Immigration related separations
• Child welfare related separations
• Parental incarceration
• Parental substance use related separations

Key Themes:

• Understanding and managing separation anxiety
• Repair
• Emotional resilience
• Importance of supportive relationships

Who Is This Book For?

• Parents: Use this book to help your child understand and express their feelings about separations.
• Teachers: A valuable tool for discussing emotions and separation anxiety in the classroom.
• Therapists: Perfect for helping young clients articulate and manage their feelings about being apart from loved ones.
• Caregivers: Helpful for anyone involved in the emotional development of children, particularly those dealing with separations.

Spanish version: Cuando no Estabas Conmigo
French version: Tu n'étais pas avec moi