Fish Friends Forever

Illustrated by Aliaa Betawi
Look inside
$18.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | Rocky Pond Books
24 per carton
On sale Aug 05, 2025 | 9780593700204
Age 4-8 years
Reading Level: Lexile 510L | Fountas & Pinnell L
Sales rights: World

See Additional Formats
This touching story of losing a dear pet and learning how to move forward is told in endearing diary entries and tender, childlike art.

"Whoop-a-loop and wahoo!" writes the young girl in her diary on the day she welcomes her pet fish, Frank, into her home. She and Frank play games such as Hide and Seek and Who Can Hold Their Breath the Longest (Frank wins that one!), they dress up for Halloween together, and she writes Frank lullabies and valentines.

But one day Frank doesn't come out from his hiding place and isn't interested in his fish food. A few days later he has died and she is inconsolable. Frank was her forever friend, and she could never love another fish. Or could she?
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
"This tender, earnest look at the beautiful connection between pet and child is deeply authentic, showcasing the intense emotions, effectively expressed by Betawi’s quirky artwork, which has an intimate, childlike feel that pairs well with the journal format. Ferguson’s earnest epistolary text, by turns bubbly and raw with sorrow, captures the youngster’s deep emotions with empathy and understanding. A loving look at being thankful for the time we have with others—however fleeting." —Kirkus

About

This touching story of losing a dear pet and learning how to move forward is told in endearing diary entries and tender, childlike art.

"Whoop-a-loop and wahoo!" writes the young girl in her diary on the day she welcomes her pet fish, Frank, into her home. She and Frank play games such as Hide and Seek and Who Can Hold Their Breath the Longest (Frank wins that one!), they dress up for Halloween together, and she writes Frank lullabies and valentines.

But one day Frank doesn't come out from his hiding place and isn't interested in his fish food. A few days later he has died and she is inconsolable. Frank was her forever friend, and she could never love another fish. Or could she?

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

Praise

"This tender, earnest look at the beautiful connection between pet and child is deeply authentic, showcasing the intense emotions, effectively expressed by Betawi’s quirky artwork, which has an intimate, childlike feel that pairs well with the journal format. Ferguson’s earnest epistolary text, by turns bubbly and raw with sorrow, captures the youngster’s deep emotions with empathy and understanding. A loving look at being thankful for the time we have with others—however fleeting." —Kirkus