What Will I Do if I Miss You?
A Picture Book for Separation Anxiety
Will be published approx. on 11. September 2025
Book
Hardback
32 pages
979-8-89396-003-7 (ISBN)
Description
2026 NCSS-CBC NOTABLE SOCIAL STUDIES TRADE BOOKS WINNER
2025 BEST KIDS' BOOKS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH-CHILD MIND INSTITUTE
A touching picture book that reassures children with separation anxiety through proven self-soothing techniques-perfect for back-to-school, travel, deployment, divorce, daycare, or anytime you're apart.
"Mama, what will I do if I miss you?"
"Hmm. That's a good question," she said. "Let's try something."
Alex's mom took his hand in hers and moved it over his heart.
"Can you feel your heart beating . . . thump, thump?"
Alex is starting day school, but thinking about being away from his mom for so long makes him feel worried! So he and his mom devise a plan to use their magical connection-heart to heart-to feel close to one another even if they cannot be together.
Based on a true story from author Melissa Shultz, and with magical illustrations by Lilia Miceli, What Will I Do if I Miss You? is the perfect picture book for families with working parents or children going to school or daycare for the first time.
2025 BEST KIDS' BOOKS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH-CHILD MIND INSTITUTE
A touching picture book that reassures children with separation anxiety through proven self-soothing techniques-perfect for back-to-school, travel, deployment, divorce, daycare, or anytime you're apart.
"Mama, what will I do if I miss you?"
"Hmm. That's a good question," she said. "Let's try something."
Alex's mom took his hand in hers and moved it over his heart.
"Can you feel your heart beating . . . thump, thump?"
Alex is starting day school, but thinking about being away from his mom for so long makes him feel worried! So he and his mom devise a plan to use their magical connection-heart to heart-to feel close to one another even if they cannot be together.
Based on a true story from author Melissa Shultz, and with magical illustrations by Lilia Miceli, What Will I Do if I Miss You? is the perfect picture book for families with working parents or children going to school or daycare for the first time.
Reviews / Votes
Original, charming, cheerful, effective and fun . . . an outstanding and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Children's Anxiety/Emotions/Feelings themed picture book collections. * Midwest Book Review * Melissa Shultz's lovely picture book offers gentle reassurance and practical strategies to children who are worried about change or wrestling with separation anxiety. It's the embodiment of one of my favorite pieces of advice from Fred Rogers, "When children know ahead of time what's going to happen, they can prepare themselves for what's coming. They can think about it and get used to their feelings about it." This is a perfect read for back-to-school-or for anytime a child needs a reminder that they are always, always loved. -- Deborah Farmer Kris, child development expert and author of several books, including Raising Awe-Seekers Finally, a sweet and superb solution for the age-old separation blues. This empowering story with cool illustrations is a must for kids who are starting school . . . or any situation when a child needs to build up self confidence and adjust to change. Melissa Shultz has nailed it big time. -- Judy Rothman Rofe, Emmy-winning writer/producer of children's media whose credits include Madeline, Arthur, and Angelina Ballerina "Sweet book for a younger child worried about starting preschool." * Child Mind Institute *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Sanger, CA
United States
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Kindergarten, Interest Age: From 3 to 5 years
Illustrations
Full-color illustrations throughout
Dimensions
Height: 279 mm
Width: 218 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
432 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-89396-003-7 (9798893960037)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2025
Familius
€15.99
Available for download
Persons
Melissa T. Shultz is a writer and editor whose work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News, AARP's The Ethel, Ladies' Home Journal, Parade, Newsweek, Reader's Digest, and many other publications. She is editor at large for Jim Donovan Literary and the author of From Mom to Me Again, a memoir/self-help book. What Will I Do If I Miss You? is her first children's book. Lilia Miceli was born in Turin, Italy. As a child, she loved turning words into images; this love led her to study at Centro Sperimentale di Cinematrografia of Turin, where she graduated with a degree in 2D animation. Art is her primary form of communication, and she hopes to use her creativity to make the world a better place.