When I Am With Me - Paperback

by Lisa Santiago-Tyler (Author)

Let your child fall in love with the one friend who will always be there - themselves.

When I Am With Me is a heartwarming picture book that helps children discover that being alone doesn't mean being lonely - it can mean being at peace, being powerful, and being at home with who they are.

Through gentle rhymes, imaginative illustrations, and uplifting messages of self-worth, Lisa Santiago-Tyler invites young readers into a joyful relationship with their inner selves. The story follows a curly-haired child in a bright orange "ME" shirt who explores the world with curiosity and confidence - from swinging under the sun to twirling beneath the stars - modeling emotional resilience and creative independence.

Children are reminded that:

• They are lovable exactly as they are

• They can feel joyful and calm even when alone

• Their imagination is a powerful tool for happiness

• Being "with yourself" is a lifelong superpower

Written and illustrated by Lisa Santiago-Tyler - author, artist, and educator - the book was born from a deep belief that early self-love builds lifelong confidence. The soft, childlike artwork mirrors drawings children might create themselves, making the story feel warm, familiar, and empowering.

Perfect for:

• Ages 3-8 learning self-esteem and emotional awareness

• Parents, teachers, and therapists encouraging mindfulness and confidence

• Storytime, bedtime, or classroom reading

• Gifts for birthdays, milestones, or times of transition

Gentle, playful, and affirming, When I Am With Me reminds children - and the adults who love them - that the friendship we build with ourselves is the very first, and most lasting, love story of all.

Author Biography

Lisa Santiago-Tyler, also known as Mallah Hurst, is an American singer-songwriter, independent publisher, poet and children's book author. She is originally from Seguin, Texas. She has a degree in Speech Communication. Active in children's theater, she minored in Theater Arts.