Will We Always Hold Hands?

by Christopher Cheng, Stephen Michael King (Illustrator)

A universal story about the everlasting bonds of friendship and love, from two award-winning creators.

There are some things that only a best friend can do—hold your hand when reading a scary story, carry you safely across a river, bandage your hurts, say it’s okay if you're grouchy, and best of all, forever hold you in their heart.

Through a series of questions and answers, Bear tells his friend Rat that best friends will always be together, in rain or shine, in good times and bad, forever and ever.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Love, Childrens, Death, Animals, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Christopher Cheng established the Zoomobile and taught at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, and now is a full-time author of children’s books. He lives in Australia.

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed this off of the display because I always grab the books with pandas, but also because I am a sucker for water colors, and because it evoked a Pooh and Piglet association. These are sufficient reasons. Further, it has custom endpapers. It is charming. Then all of a sudden I burst into tears. Just warning adult readers, because this isn't likely to affect children the same I don't think.

Library copy

[dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

:')

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely knew it would make me cry, definitely cried, 0 regrets

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original Review Jan 2023- 5 Stars: Adorable, touching. Tears were shed.

Updated Review Sept 2025- 4 stars: repetitive so kids can follow along and know what comes next, ending still sad. But a little long and the illustrations don't totally match what is going on with the words.

[Sharon Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Cheng's books are always heartfelt. This one is particularly beautiful and emotionally engaging. I cried when I read it the first time. And again, each time after that.

[Cheryl Garrigan]

“Bear,” said Rat. “I’ve been wondering. Will we always hold hands like this, even when we are old and wrinkly . . . and tottering up this hill?” / “Of course we will,” said Bear. “As long as you hold mine when my fur turns gray and starts to fall out. I’ll even hold your tail so you don’t trip over it.”
In a lovely tale of kindness between best friends, Rat presents a series of “what if” questions to his best friend Bear, and Bear always answers with kindness, goodness, gentleness, and love. In good times or bad times, rain or shine, Bear tells his friend that they will always be together in health, sickness, crankiness, loud snoring, old age, crossing rivers, searching for food, and even through injuries. When Rat asks the hardest question of all, (“What if I have to leave and go somewhere you can’t come?”), find out Bear’s perfect answer in this beautiful story of love and friendship for all time.
Kids will love the marvelous illustrations, the umbrellas, reading glasses, tea party, and loyalty of two best friends. Adults may need a tissue.
Themes: Adventure, Animals, Bears, Concept, Friendship, Heroes

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, yeah, I get it. It's a bit obvious, but it's still a bit moving. It's main selling feature, for me, are those absolutely gorgeous illustrations. I like two types of illustrations, essentially: beautiful watercolors that evoke Edmund Dulac or Arthur Rackham, and exquisite little pen-and-ink drawings like Gorey, Baynes, or Ardizzone would produce. This falls into the beautiful watercolor category, and they're stunning.

My main quibble is that the characters clearly stand in for worried child and loving adult, but they swap places midway through, essentially, either that or the child-stand-in is worried about an untimely early death. So that's a bit off-putting. Other than that, great.

(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally cried with this book and have no regrets. This book can be taken so many ways. The love between friends, parents and children, grandparent and child... honestly between any two people who love each other. For me, it calls to the pain of separation for my children and their military parent, that even if he never comes back, he will always love them and a part of him will always be there to hold their hands. Recommended for anyone wanting a way to say they love you and always will be there for you, no matter what.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet, tender book focuses on love and commitment. Panda continues to reassure Rat that no matter what happens, they will always be friends, and during the metaphorical reference to death at the end, Panda reassures Rat that people they will always live on in each other's hearts. The animal protagonists make this book relevant to anyone, regardless of their demographic details or the nature of their relationship.

[Binxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet book to be shared one on one or with a small group such as a family. Bear and Rat are best friends and upon all of Rat's inquiries about Bear always holding his hand, Rat is reassured of Bear's presence. This ends with the reality that we those dear to us always in our beings secure in one's heart.

[Cheryl]

This just vibes Zen Ties or others in the set from Jon J. Muth to me. I hope it becomes clear, as I read, that it's either very different or an homage.

[Jared White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fairly simple, both its text and illustrations, but it reminded me a bit of the Frog and Toad books and a bit of Winnie-the-Pooh, both of which I love. I don't think I would ever use this in storytime and I'm not exactly sure who its intended audience is but I liked it enough that after I read it at my library I ended up purchasing it for a loved one so I can share it with them.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming and comforting with sweet illustrations. A bear and a rat are best friends and talk of always being there to hold each other's hands. This reminded me of a parent/child relationship or even an older sibling relationship with the amount of dependence on each other. The umbrella and rain motifs are kid-like and endearing. I loved the last page where the hug in the rain. Cute!

[Marya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, a little sad, and very universal. This book covers the topic of love in the broadest sense, and perhaps counterintuitively, addresses love at its most elemental. Lots of potential for tears on this one, but equal potential for spontaneous hugging!

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends, Bear and Rat, talk about all the important things. It's about how friendship should be the thing that gets one through all of life's ups and downs. A wonderful book with beautiful illustrations to share with the little ones. Sniffle inducing but recommended none the less!

[Shaylie Dobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was almost in tears by the end of this book. Rat and Bear are best friends. Rat is scared Bear will leave him. Bear reassures Rat multiple time they will always be best friends. I will have this book in my library. I think it would make an awesome read aloud.

[Macklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

And I cried because it asked me to lol

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this books so much, I'm going to buy it for my wife for Christmas. Don't worry, she won't see this because she's not on goodreads.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet darling book. I even made my husband read it.

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

did i cry reading this? yes, yes i did

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should have known better than to read this to my child who hasn't been feeling well as it made me extra choked up while reading it.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story of friendship.

[DiAnne Warfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holt-Delhi library PJ story time 03-08-2023

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dear story about friendship

Originally published in Australia

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Danica Midlil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this was let down by the illustrations. This could have been something more.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be a sweet wedding/engagement gift book.

[Richelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED everything about this book!!!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but beautiful

[Judy Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, moving story about the everlasting power of true friendship.

[Morgan the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book about the longevity of love and how it can last through aging, trials and tribulations, and changes.