Fish Friends Forever

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

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?

About the Author

Kerry Ferguson writes stories for kids and their families for the page and for the stage. A professor, poet, playwright, and picture-book author, she has had two of her plays mounted at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre. She lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with her fun and funny family of humans, dogs, and rabbits.

Author Residence: Spartanburg, SC

Aliaa Betawi is a Palestinian illustrator living in Egypt. She wants to make kids feel seen, heard, and less lonely. She is also the illustrator of A MAP FOR FALASTEEN by Maysa Odeh.

Illustrator Residence:Egypt