I Will Love You Forever and Always

by Sarah M. Thomas Mariano

"I Will Love You Forever and Always" provides a fun, easy platform for parents to converse with their children about the concept of unconditional love. Parents know the love they hold for their children never changes, even on days that are tough, days that are smelly and oh-so-yucky, days when nothing seems to go right, days of noticing we don't look the same or days of noticing we like different things. However, children often need reassurance, reminder and repitition that they are loved unconditionally through such days and such moments.

The purpose of this book is to help children learn what it means to be loved unconditionally, and for parents to be given child-friendly words and language to facilitate these conversations with their children. The ultimate goal, if this book is used as a tool in the larger process, is that the parent-child emotional connection would be strengthened.

The book includes an activity page at the end, with the question, "What does forever and always love mean to me?" This prompt is intended to emphasize the points presented in the book and ensure the child understands the concepts presented. It is an opportunity for parents to connect the concepts presented in the book to their own circumstances and scenarios at home, and extend the conversation with their children beyond the story into an opportunity for further learning, discussion, connection and strengthening of the parent-child relationship.

24 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2019

About the author

Sarah M. Thomas Mariano is a child and family therapist. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from New York University. Sarah works with children, adolescents and families in an outpatient therapy setting, incorporating art and play therapy techniques into her work. Sarah wrote the award-winning book, "I Will Love You Forever and Always" as a tool to use in the therapeutic setting, to help children understand unconditional love and to give parents a fun and accessible platform from which to process this important concept wtih their children. "I Will Love You Forever and Always" won the Literary Titan Gold Book Award in October 2023.

Reviews

[enjoyingbooksagain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about the relationships between parents and their kids and unconditional love between each other.

[Megan Wrye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book almost had me in tears. As a parent we all have those moments of feeling like we aren’t doing the best we could for our kids and get so overwhelmed and frustrated and say things we wish we could take back. This book helped me realize that one- it’s so important that my kid understands that I really will love him always and 2- it helped me realize while reading it with my 4 year old that so far he does know that I love him always…. Stinky feet and all❤️

[Jax Shugart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore the message of this book. I read it with my daughter, and we both tell each other every day "I love you first and more. " .... we have officially added, "I love you forever and always to our routine.
Children need to feel special and loved, and sharing these words will make a major impact. Moms, add this to your library it's so adorable.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is a good reminder that we need to tell our children (young and older) that we love them forever no matter what the circumstance.

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a children's book. Very cute with great graphics. 4 plus stars

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A adorable book to read to a child to show love. It is a nice way to introduce the subject of unconditional love. As well as to reinstate to the child that they are loved and that they are important. This is especially important at a young age because it can be easy for the stress and chaos of the early years to overtake the good moments. Everyone needs validation that they are loved and that is no different with children. This books allows for a parent and child to take a moment dedicated to just them.

[Tricia Hackney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Will Love You Forever and Always -
ABSOLUTELY ADORE this book!!! Bright colors and such a beautiful message for our littles!! I'm also a sucker for the beautiful animal illustrations. I will absolutely purchase 2 hardback copies of this book - one for my Grandmuffin - and one for my house. This book would also make an excellent baby shower gift!!! Thank you to Netgalley and Sarah M Thomas Mariano for a digital copy of this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review.
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[Teresa Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the way this book combined the habits and actions of animals (snapping crocodiles and stinky skunks) with the habits and actions of parents and children. Unconditional love should be something that happens between and children and parents. The illustrations and sweet and silly and beautiful and will keep little ones attention. This is a keeper in my house!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book did a great job teaching the fundamental concept of unconditional love. I feel that it is geared more towards being read with a younger child. My daughter and I always tell each other "I love you to the moon and back" and this book made me realize I should also be telling her "I will love you forever and always"!

[Mrs. Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. A perfect way to encourage children letting them know they will always be loved no matter what the circumstance. Highly recommend.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In every family, differences of opinion are inevitable. Yet, the undercurrent of love remains steadfast. Often, parents find themselves reminding their children to maintain tidiness or exhibit good behavior at school. While this is driven by their desire to instill good values, children might occasionally feel disheartened or under pressure. Enter Sarah M. Thomas Mariano's enlightening work, I Will Love You Forever and Always, which delves deep into the premise that even amidst corrective actions, a parent's unwavering love takes precedence.

As a seasoned child and family therapist, Mariano is acutely aware of the intricate dynamics that color parent-child interactions. Her book provides a refreshing avenue for fostering communication by presenting narratives from a parental viewpoint, addressing routine challenges. Through Mariano's storytelling, readers are reassured that parental guidance, even if tough at times, springs from a well of love.

An intriguing element of the book is its depiction of various animal families, each facing a unique conflict and subsequent resolution. This choice not only universalizes the themes but adds a touch of whimsy to the narrative.

Mariano's storytelling is both captivating and relatable for young readers. Accompanied by vivid illustrations, the characters burst with emotion, although a tad more detail would have added depth. The core message of the book rings true and poignant, making it an invaluable addition to household libraries. Serving as a mirror for introspection during turbulent times, I Will Love You Forever and Always is a heartwarming read, fostering cherished moments between parents and children.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent little piece, that might help a parent explain eternal, unconditional love to the child in their life – or help them express it. Using different animals (parrots, stinky skunks, and dogs and more) the book takes the audience – the child – through scenarios when they might doubt or be unsure of the one-way endless supply of love they might deserve. Thus the young skunk is assured it's OK when they are snotty and smelly, the parrot has a clumsy day and a half of nothing going right, but that's OK – you get the message. And so will the child, with these simple and colourful pages. Yes, perhaps a parent should not really need this – it might be better for all concerned if they didn't – but this not being an ideal world, this is a suitable look at an option.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet little book that deals with a very big issue: the all-too-rare experience of unconditional love.

It is so important for children to hear parents say how much they love them - repeatedly and with immense emotion. Done right, this is something that will protect kids against some of the hurt that the world hands out, and thus it cannot be said too often.

The book does a wonderful job of getting that message across, by using various animals to tell their offspring how much they love them, and what they love about them. Forever and always.

I give it 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Marissa Eckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author tells their story that regardless of their differences, they are loved and cherished. Also those who brought us into this world will always cherish and love us. It is a beautiful and touching storybook about unconditional love. If you want an easy book to share with little ones about always being loved this is the book for you to share with them. My kids loved they always love when i get children books like this to read to them.

[Youtube (SERPERIORREADS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and its author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
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Good book, good learning experience while reading this. Sadly i apologize for not doing it at the time i end the book.

4.0

[Grainne Mulligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book is an extremely useful tool to navigate the delicate emotion of unconditional Love.

[Kerrific Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read with my children. Great pictures. Cute animals. I will love them forever! A great addition to any collection.