A Gentle Story for Children When Someone They Love Is Away (Due to Incarceration)
When a parent or loved one goes away, children may carry sadness, anger, worry, and questions they do not know how to express. This tender story helps children understand a powerful truth: they did not cause the separation, their feelings matter, and they are still deeply loved.
For families, caregivers, educators, counselors, and organizations supporting children impacted by incarceration.
No Matter What, You Are Always Loved! was created to help children process those questions through a gentle story about Ava and Noah, two siblings whose parent has to go away for a while. As the children experience sadness, worry, anger, silence, and longing, a caring grandmother helps them understand that their feelings are normal, they are not to blame, and their parent's love has not disappeared.
Ava is six years old. She loves drawing pictures, singing songs, and dancing around the house. She feels things deeply and keeps her favorite stuffed animals close.
Noah is nine. He enjoys building things, playing basketball, and video games. He tries to be strong, even when his heart feels heavy.
When their parent goes away to "a place with rules," Ava and Noah begin to experience big emotions in very different ways.
Ava feels sadness that sits quietly in her chest.
Noah feels anger that bursts out quickly.
Through their story, children learn that there is no "right" way to feel — and that love remains steady, even when life changes.
Children don't always understand adult issues — but they feel everything deeply. How they process their feelings matters, and they need our support.
When a parent is suddenly gone, children often don't have the words to express what they're feeling. They may act out, withdraw, or blame themselves for something they couldn't possibly understand.
Without honest, age-appropriate conversations, children fill in the gaps with their own stories — often believing they did something wrong or that they've been forgotten.
Sadness, anger, confusion — there is no "right" way to feel. This book creates a safe space for children to explore all their emotions without judgment.
When a child is separated from a parent or loved one because of incarceration, they may not understand why life suddenly feels different. They may miss bedtime routines, family meals, familiar voices, hugs, phone calls, or special days spent together. They may also carry questions they are afraid to ask:
This book is especially meaningful for:
Why Families May Choose This Book
The story reflects experiences many children may recognize: a quieter home, missing familiar routines, feeling sad without knowing what to say, becoming angry or withdrawn, and worrying that someone they love may not return or may have forgotten them.
Rather than avoiding those feelings, the book gives families a loving starting point for conversation. It reminds children that they can miss someone deeply and still continue to feel safe, supported, connected, and loved.
A limited number of sponsored copies may be available for children and caregivers impacted by incarceration-related separation. Sponsored copies are made possible by individuals who choose to place this story into the hands of a family who may need it.
Please fill out this short form. You don't need to prove anything — we just need a few details to review your request.
Sponsored copies are limited and fulfilled as available. Personal information submitted for this request will only be used to review and fulfill book requests. Mailing address will only be requested after approval if a physical copy is being shipped.
This book can also serve as a compassionate conversation resource for adults working with children and families affected by incarceration-related separation, including:
How Professionals Can Use the Book
Professionals may use the book to help a child identify with Ava's sadness or Noah's anger and withdrawal, begin age-appropriate conversations about separation and worry, support children before or after phone calls or visits, reinforce that a child did not cause the separation, encourage safe expression through conversation and drawing, and provide caregivers with language for reassurance and continued connection.
Complimentary evaluation copies are available on a limited basis for qualified professionals and organizations considering the book for program use, family distribution, resource libraries, or bulk purchase.
Who Qualifies for an Evaluation Copy
We provide evaluation copies to professionals or organizations whose role could realistically lead to multiple purchases or meaningful placement, such as:
📌 Note for Individual Professionals
For an individual teacher, counselor, or professional who simply wants one copy for personal use, please order a copy directly unless their role clearly creates a broader opportunity.
Qualified professionals and organizations may request ONE complimentary digital or print evaluation copy for potential program, counseling-office, library, or bulk-order use.
Some children are carrying the pain of having a parent or loved one away, along with questions they may not yet know how to ask:
When you sponsor a copy of No Matter What, You Are Always Loved!, you are choosing to send reassurance to a child and caregiver navigating separation due to incarceration.
Through Ava and Noah's story, children see feelings like sadness, worry, anger, and missing someone handled with gentleness and care. The included discussion and activity pages also give caregivers a meaningful way to continue the conversation through reflection, drawing, reassurance, and connection.
Whether you sponsor a copy in honor of someone you love, as an act of kindness, or simply because you believe children deserve reassurance during difficult seasons, your gesture helps place comfort where it may be needed most.
Sponsored copies are placed with children and caregivers affected by incarceration-related separation based on available sponsored inventory and family or program requests.
No Matter What, You Are Always Loved! is not only a read-aloud story. The book also includes supportive resources designed to help adults continue the conversation after the final story page.
The Parent & Guardian Guide explains that children experiencing separation from a loved one may show sadness, worry, anger, fear, clinginess, withdrawal, or changes in behavior. It encourages adults to respond with reassurance, routines, honest age-appropriate language, and opportunities for children to talk or remain quiet until they are ready.
The guide also reminds caregivers that children may benefit from staying connected through letters, drawings, photos, calls, or visits when possible, and that additional support should be sought when a child is experiencing lasting or intense distress.
The Discussion Worksheet invites children to explore their feelings in a simple, supportive way. Children are encouraged to think about:
The Activity Worksheet helps children express themselves creatively through drawing and reflection. Children can draw someone they love, something that makes them feel safe, a happy memory, or what love looks like to them.
It also gives them simple coping choices, such as talking to someone, drawing, writing, or taking deep breaths, while reinforcing four important truths:
A gentle story for children, with practical tools for the adults helping them heal.
From the Author's Dedication
Sherry Joseph writes from both lived experience and professional training. After experiencing imprisonment herself and leaving behind children she cared for deeply, she saw firsthand how absence, silence, and unanswered questions can shape a child's understanding of separation.
Her dedication speaks directly to the children who felt that absence: children who may not have understood why someone they loved was gone, but who deserved to know that they were never forgotten, never at fault, and always loved.
That personal experience became the foundation for No Matter What, You Are Always Loved! — a gentle story created to help children feel reassured, seen, and emotionally supported when a parent or loved one is away due to incarceration.
Recommended for ages 4–11.
No. The story uses gentle, child-friendly language and explains that a parent is "away at a place with rules." This approach allows caregivers to guide the conversation in a way that feels appropriate for their child's age and understanding.
Yes. Because the language is age-appropriate and non-explicit, it can be used in schools, counseling offices, and family support programs.
No. It is inclusive and designed for families of all backgrounds.
Yes. Contact us for bulk and organizational pricing.
If No Matter What, You Are Always Loved! has touched your family, supported a conversation, or helped a child feel understood, sharing your experience may help another caregiver or professional find the reassurance they have been looking for.
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