Good-Byes

Reach for this book when your child is facing a transition, whether it is the daily drop-off at daycare or a more permanent life change like moving house or losing a pet. Shelley Rotner uses evocative photography to validate the heavy feelings that come with parting, helping children see that good-byes are a universal part of life. By showing children that it is okay to feel sad, angry, or worried, this book helps normalize the emotional weight of endings. Appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers, this is an essential tool for parents who want to foster emotional literacy. Unlike many storybooks that focus on a single narrative, this title uses a conceptual approach to cover a wide spectrum of departures. It provides a gentle bridge to discuss difficult topics in a secular, realistic way, ultimately ending on a note of reassurance that while some good-byes are hard, they often lead to new beginnings and reunions.