About Patricia
Something exciting is in the air!
Announcing A NEW picture book coming February 2, 2027!
A humble donkey. A mighty Savior. A journey that changed the world.
Little Donkey never imagined he would be part of something so important. Shy and small, he is used to staying in the background while bigger, stronger animals do the exciting jobs. But one day, everything changes when he is chosen to carry a very special rider.
Then Little Donkey scared and shy, saw a man with gentle eyes, who stroked his neck and pulled him near. “No need to worry. I am here.”
As Jesus climbs onto his back and they begin their journey to Jerusalem, Little Donkey’s worries slowly fade away. Along the road, crowds gather to cheer, palm branches wave, and joyful voices fill the air. But Little Donkey discovers something even more wonderful than the celebration―Jesus has come because of His great love for God’s children. With every step, Little Donkey learns that he is helping carry the Savior who would change the world forever.
Filled with warmth and wonder and illustrated with beautiful, reverent watercolors, this heartwarming retelling of the Palm Sunday story invites young readers to experience the excitement of Jesus’s triumphant entry through the eyes of an unlikely hero. A beautiful reminder that God often chooses the humble, the small, and the unexpected to help tell His greatest story.
Little Donkey never imagined he would be part of something so important. Shy and small, he is used to staying in the background while bigger, stronger animals do the exciting jobs. But one day, everything changes when he is chosen to carry a very special rider.
Then Little Donkey scared and shy, saw a man with gentle eyes, who stroked his neck and pulled him near. “No need to worry. I am here.”
As Jesus climbs onto his back and they begin their journey to Jerusalem, Little Donkey’s worries slowly fade away. Along the road, crowds gather to cheer, palm branches wave, and joyful voices fill the air. But Little Donkey discovers something even more wonderful than the celebration―Jesus has come because of His great love for God’s children. With every step, Little Donkey learns that he is helping carry the Savior who would change the world forever.
Filled with warmth and wonder and illustrated with beautiful, reverent watercolors, this heartwarming retelling of the Palm Sunday story invites young readers to experience the excitement of Jesus’s triumphant entry through the eyes of an unlikely hero. A beautiful reminder that God often chooses the humble, the small, and the unexpected to help tell His greatest story.
Meet Patricia Kreiser
Patricia Kreiser is a talented author-illustrator and proud mom who absolutely loves creating picture stories! She draws inspiration from her family’s experiences, imagination, and real life adventures. A graduate of Pratt Institute and a member of SCBWI, she is extremely appreciative of the support and guidance of her mentors and fellow creatives in her life.
Some of her earliest and best childhood memories included endless hours with Breyer horses, drawing (not on the walls) and reading pretty much anything! A few inspirational favorites included The Tales of Peter Rabbit, The Monster at the End of this Book, and Bread and Jam for Frances. She hopes her stories will one day be someone’s favorite childhood memory. Originally from central Pennsylvania, where she met and married her high school sweetheart, she resides with her supportive family in her studio-home just minutes from Philadelphia.
Some of her earliest and best childhood memories included endless hours with Breyer horses, drawing (not on the walls) and reading pretty much anything! A few inspirational favorites included The Tales of Peter Rabbit, The Monster at the End of this Book, and Bread and Jam for Frances. She hopes her stories will one day be someone’s favorite childhood memory. Originally from central Pennsylvania, where she met and married her high school sweetheart, she resides with her supportive family in her studio-home just minutes from Philadelphia.
Always Together - Patricia's debut picture book.
Always Together, her debut picture book, was released January 1, 2024. It is a special story about two otters who are always together, until one day they are not. One is left behind and nothing is the same. It is a story of few words that address the big topic of missing someone special. This heart tugging tale emerged from witnessing her own children and their friends navigate the experience of loss and separation due to a variety of circumstances. She hopes Always Together might find its way into the hands of someone who needs it most. Perhaps it will spark a conversation acknowledging a loss, encouraging one to remember the best times, provide hope, and highlight empathy from those nearby.
Click on the buttons below to find your copy of Always Together, Patricia’s hug to anyone missing someone special. If you don’t have a little one in your life, please consider purchasing a copy for your school or library. Also be sure to listen to the Booklist Shelfcare Interview to hear all about the creation of Always Together and Patricia’s hopes for the book’s special takeaways. Thank you very much!
Click on the buttons below to find your copy of Always Together, Patricia’s hug to anyone missing someone special. If you don’t have a little one in your life, please consider purchasing a copy for your school or library. Also be sure to listen to the Booklist Shelfcare Interview to hear all about the creation of Always Together and Patricia’s hopes for the book’s special takeaways. Thank you very much!
“I am in awe of the impact that a shared story can create. Always Together is my debut book, and it took over 9 years from idea to publication. I never imagined that my story could evoke an emotional response from perfect strangers. It’s a bit overwhelming! I am amazed at how readers have connected to my honest, simple text and illustrations, which convey the shared experiences of friendship, kindness, love, loss, grief, and hope. It is my most sincere wish that my little picture book will spark many important conversations and help people feel the comfort and company of shared experiences.”
- Patricia Kreiser
What people say about Always Together.
What people say about Always Together.
These two adorable otters teach readers about life, death, and the love that keeps us going after a loss. My heart loved this book. Always Together is a powerful, little jolt to any and all hearts—broken, mending, or full. Otter’s story says so much. And in so few words! The art pairs and supports the text perfectly too. Each and every page is full of warmth, nature, and friends. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.
- Laura
Goodreads, 01/23/25
Wow, I was not expecting to cry during a short Children’s book read! So warning, this one hits you in your emotional bits. Always Together is about being together – until you are not. Two best otters play together, eat together, and go everything together, until one isn’t theree any more and the one left is sad and lonely, scared and mad too. I liked this book because it is good to talk about stuff like this, stages of grief and what it means when you feel these things. The otters were adorable, but wow it was SO SAD! and I was not expecting it. I think it took an interesting route – it does not explain at all where the other otter went or why they aren’t there anymore, leaving readers just as upset as their friend. The book has beautiful watercolor art and it is gorgeous, whimsical and sweet. I loved it. Animal lovers beware, it is a sad book, but could be used as a teaching tool really effectively about loss and grief, but also about moving on in healthy ways.
- Stephanie
Goodreads, 01/28/24
A deeply felt story with perfectly paired illustrations, this is the tale of two otters who are the best of friends. Laughing, exploring, and singing together, the pair is one day separated by loss. Now alone, the single otter goes through the cycle of grief, experiencing a range of emotions over time. Eventually it realizes that the precious memories mean the duo is always together in some way. The topic of grief and loss is central to this picture book. Young readers will connect with the adorable antics of the otter pair. As the story progresses, the message goes from sad to uplifting. Charming watercolor illustrations bring the story to life, page by page and hand in hand with the emotional arc of the narrative.
VERDICT Offering a true range of emotions and reactions, this is a sound purchase for any library where books about tough emotions circulate well.
VERDICT Offering a true range of emotions and reactions, this is a sound purchase for any library where books about tough emotions circulate well.
- Elizabeth Pelayo
School Library Journal, 12/15/23
Beautifully sad, gorgeously illustrated picture book with two otter at the center…until there is only one. Probably not a book to read with a child who has recently experienced loss but when the grief is not as fresh, this may help young ones realize that even after death, memories will live on. Could possibly be used in advance of the death of a loved one. Other beautiful books with the same theme are Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Jayne Pillemer’s Still Mine. Thanks, Capstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital arc of this book.
- Melanie Dulaney
Goodreads, 11/23/23
…If you have a little in your life who is feeling ANY kind of loss, this is a GREAT book to connect around that topic.
- Merriam Saunders LMFT
@howtoparentadhd
…”Always Together” written and illustrated by Patricia Kreiser, a fellow military mom, is a caring book that focuses on loss and all those feelings that may go along with it. It can be used in many types of loss, but is very appropriate for missing a mom or dad. The playful otters who are depicted in the book help to communicate big feelings in a hopeful gentle way. This could be very helpful for families who are navigating the turbulence of deployment.
- Elaine Brye
@BeSafeLoveMom
With simple text and lovely illustrations this is a wonderful entry book into exploring missing someone. A grief and loss book for children that doesn’t explicitly say the otter friend died but one that you can use to spark conversation and questions around loss in a variety of ways. My little and big fellas enjoyed reading this one. We talked about moving away and the grief of loosing a grandparent. What a beautiful book to discus so many situations of separation and loss.
- @Storymamas
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Find answers to your questions.
To learn a little more about Patricia and answer some questions you may have about her and her work, click the button to read her interview with Childrensillustrators.com! For questions not answered there, be sure to take a look at the Q&As below.