It Won't Be Forever - Softcover

Dougherty, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0711296642 ISBN 13: 9780711296640

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2026

Synopsis

'Charming, comforting and thoughtfully crafted, this is a story that lingers long after the final page.' – Inis Magazine

From the award‑winning creators of The Hare‑Shaped Hole, It Won’t Be Forever helps young children cope with separation anxiety by showing how love keeps families connected, even when they’re apart. 
 
In the woods there lives a fox family. One of the cubs, Vixie, has a close relationship with her dad, Rey. He makes her feel safe and he's always there for her when she feels lonely, worried or sad. 
 
One day, Rey tells the family that he has to go away for a little while and Vixie worries. She can’t bear to be apart from her dad! 
 
But Rey reassures her that he’ll be back before she knows it and gifts her a kingfisher feather as a reminder of love. He promises that as soon as he can, he’ll be back home. 
 
So Vixie is brave and carries on without her dad. And when she misses him lots, she looks at her feather and feels connected to Rey, even though he’s far away. 
 
And sooner than she knows it, her daddy comes back! And Vixie knows that missing her dad’s not unbearable, never. For she understands truly, it won’t be forever. 
 
Warm, lyrical text and expressive illustrations come together to create a sensitive and emotionally intelligent exploration of separation anxiety. Perfect for sharing at bedtime or during moments of transition It Won’t Be Forever offers young readers reassurance that difficult feelings are natural, absence does not mean loss and love always brings us back together. 

About this title

About the Authors

Author and poet John Dougherty has been writing children's books for over twenty years. His work ranges quite literally from the sublime to the ridiculous, including as it does the hilarious and surreal Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face series and There's a Pig Up My Nose, and the beautiful and multi-award winning The Hare-Shaped Hole. His books have been translated into more than 25 languages worldwide. A former teacher, John was one of the first Patrons of Reading in the UK and is a passionate advocate for both public libraries and the importance of reading for pleasure. Born in Northern Ireland, he now lives in Gloucestershire with his wife Jennie.

Thomas Docherty is an author and illustrator of children's books, who is based in Swansea. His first picture book, The Little Boat was shortlisted for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal, and he has also worked on several books with his wife Helen Docherty, including The Snatchabook, The Knight Who Wouldn't Fight and Pirate Nell's Tale To Tell. His books have been sold around the world and have been translated into more than 25 languages.

Edition details

• Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0711296642
• ISBN 13: 9780711296640
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Docherty Thomas
• Number of pages: 40