Surprises from home
Special envelopes for your photographs, notes, jokes, and little treats. Something familiar to discover when home feels far away.
FALL EDITION · A KEEPSAKE FOR THE DAYS APART
A little piece
of home.
Wherever they go.
An interactive book to help children feel close to the people they love, even when they’re away.
Shipping: $6.95.
Secure checkout with credit/debit card or Apple Pay.
A book to fill. A connection to keep.
A 7 × 7 inch interactive keepsake with envelopes, jokes, a puzzle, stickers, games, and room for your child’s own memories.
A little piece of home for every season.
Winter, spring, and summer editions are coming.
Little surprises.New adventures.Memories to keep.
MORE THAN AN ACTIVITY BOOK
Their adventures.
Your love.
One little book.
For camp, a trip, or time in another home, Time Away gives children a place to collect the moments that make their journey their own.
A little play, a little discovery
Jokes, a puzzle, stickers, games, and creative activities to make room for curiosity and good times.
A story only they can tell
Space to write, draw, record dreams, and remember new places and people. A keepsake to return to long after the trip.
TIME AWAY IN MOTION
A little book.
A lasting connection.
A glimpse of the stories, surprises, and connections behind Time Away.
30 seconds · Play with sound
FROM THE PAGES OF TIME AWAY
A peek inside
the fall edition.
Hi, I’m Pico!
I collect special memories in my little red backpack. I’ll be here along the way, sharing surprises, joining your adventures, and reminding you that home is never far away.
Hi, My Friend!
Meet Pico, the little memory collector.
A Little Fall Surprise!
A real envelope with a 24-piece puzzle inside.
My Cabin Adventure
A story shaped by their own choices.
My Cozy Day Recipe
A recipe for comfort and connection.
FOR PARENTS & LOVED ONES
The magic begins
with you.
Before the book begins its journey, take a little time to make it personal.
Tuck in a little love
Fill the envelopes with photos, letters, jokes, chocolate coins, or even a few dollars for an ice cream.
Make it their own
Some envelopes may already hold a message. Use the blank pages to add your own encouragement, memories, or a few words to make them smile.
Let the memories grow
Invite your child to write, draw, and save little treasures along the way. Bring home a book filled with their discoveries and your love.
A NOTE BEFORE THE JOURNEY
Tiny places to tuck away
a little bit of home.
Every book comes with a note for parents and loved ones about preparing the envelopes and helping your child make these pages their own.
“The surprises do not have to be big—the smallest things can become the most meaningful when someone is missing home.”
A CHILD PSYCHOLOGY PERSPECTIVE
Why this book matters.
A Sense of Personal Agency
“Giving a child an interactive book that belongs only to them, and that can travel freely between households, restores a vital sense of personal agency when so much of their life circumstance is decided by adults.”
Read Sam’s full note
Time Away is more than an activity book for your child; it is a transitional object.
In the field of developmental child psychology, transitional objects are known as real objects that can help children bridge the psychological and emotional gap between two separate environments (D.W. Winnicott, 1951).
How Can Time Away Help?
Anxiety Reduction
Research shows that portable comfort items significantly lower cortisol and behavioral distress during separation from attachment figures.
Continuity Across Homes
For children of divorce navigating a dual-household reality, a portable item serves as a concrete emotional anchor. It provides a physical sense of continuity and tangible security, particularly when moving between homes.
Active Emotional Processing & Cognitive Mastery
Rather than offering the passive comfort of a traditional transitional object (i.e. a stuffed animal), an interactive book engages children in active emotional processing of their experiences. When children are able to successfully process their emotions, they develop cognitive mastery over their experience, which increases an internal sense of stability.
A Sense of Personal Agency
Giving a child an interactive book that belongs only to them, and that can travel freely between households, restores a vital sense of personal agency when so much of their life circumstance is decided by adults.
ExploreCreateBe kindStay connected
ABOUT US
Created together by
Andreea & Tommy.
We created Time Away from our love of adventures, creativity, and finding ways to stay connected when we are apart.
Andreea is a mom, scientist, photographer, and art lover. Tommy helped shape the activities, characters, and adventures. He made sure they were actually fun for kids.
Created with love in Philadelphia.
A few little details
Who is Time Away for?
Children spending time away from home or loved ones—whether at camp, on a trip, or in another household. Parents and loved ones help prepare the surprises before the book goes along.
What can I put in the envelopes?
Photographs, little letters, drawings, messages, jokes, chocolate coins, a favorite memory, or a little money for an ice cream. Choose small surprises that fit comfortably.
Is this a book children can write in?
Yes. Encourage your child to write, draw, add photos, and keep little mementos. The finished book becomes a personal record of their time away.
How will I order?
Books are $32 each, plus $6.95 for standard U.S. shipping. Select “Buy Now — $32” to order securely through Stripe. Any applicable tax will be shown at checkout.
TIME AWAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Come say hello.
Upcoming event
Sunday Spotlight — Book Signing at Children's Book World
Meet mother-and-son authors Andreea and Tommy Dimofte, explore Time Away – Fall Edition, and pick up a personally signed copy of this interactive children's keepsake book.
Free to attend. Books available for purchase.
Past events
Past event
Time Away at Naval Square
Stop by to say hello and check out the book!
5–7 p.m.
Naval Square
On the front steps of Biddle, near the food trucks
Past event
Time Away at Markward Park
5–7 p.m.
Markward Park, Philadelphia
Past event
Book Launch Celebration
Noon–2 p.m.
Grays Ferry Triangle Plaza, Philadelphia
In front of The Igloo
FROM TIME AWAY FAMILIES
A few words from the journey
★★★★★“What a wonderful interactive, creative and inspiring book! As a parent, I love how Time Away helps make time away from home feel exciting and meaningful. The interactive activities keep children engaged and creative, while turning the book into a special keepsake filled with memories they can look back on for years. I highly recommend Time Away children’s book, it will bring you lots of joy and will boost your children’s creativity.”
★★★★★“As a grandmother, I think Time Away is such a sweet and thoughtful book. I love that it gives children fun things to do while they are away from home, but also helps them create memories they can look back on later. It feels very personal and full of heart, and I think children will enjoy making the book their own as they go through each little adventure.”
★★★★★“Fantastic concept, kids love it!”