This purr-fectly adorable picture book introduces an irresistibly over-the-top new kitty character who’s ready to make a big splash!Meet Serafina! If there’s one thing you should know about Serafina, it’s that she absolutely, positively HATES water. Running faucets, rain, or the sea? No thank you. So even though she looks fantastic in goggles, Serafina is NOT happy to be forced into a swim class by the powers that be. NOTHING can convince her to get into that disgusting pit of seething water. Nothing, that is, except maybe a very beloved old friend who needs a hand.
From acclaimed creators Matthew Burgess and Robin Rosenthal comes an unforgettable picture book that shows how trying new things can lead to unexpected joy.
On sale: March 31, 2026
Age: 3-7 years
Grade: Preschool - 2
Page count: 40 Pages
ISBN: 9780593699638
Reading level: Lexile: 640L | Fountas/Pinnell: M
Matthew Burgess is a poet, educator, and the author of many children's books, including
Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring,
The Bear and The Moon,
Sylvester’s Letter, and most recently,
As Edward Imagined: A Story of Edward Gorey in Three Acts. An Associate Professor at Brooklyn College, Matthew has been a poet-in-residence in New York City public schools and currently serves as a senior editor of
Teachers & Writers Magazine.
Robin Rosenthal is an author, illustrator and art director. She has illustrated
Two Dogs on A Trike and the
Big Ideas for Little Philosophers and
Big Ideas for Little Environmentalists series of board books, as well as
SWEET BABE!, her authorial debut. She grew up in Connecticut and now lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her sweet, sweet family. You can see more of her work at robinrosenthal.com.
★ “Rich vocabulary and a hilarious water-hating cat make this a stellar choice for all collections. Highly recommended and highly enjoyable.”
—School Library Journal, starred review
"Give this to the little one who is reluctant to try something new with the assurance that they don’t have to change their personality to take a chance."
—BCCB“Cats and water may not usually mix, but this pleasing combination yields a fur-tunate lesson.”
—Kirkus
"A buoyant initial outing. Alongside sweetly goofy characters engaging in sly anthropomorphic comedy, readers should be eager to take the next plunge."
—Publishers Weekly
“A clever, read-aloud-ready text…A buoyant conclusion leave young readers feeling purr-fectly refreshed. Dive in!”
—The Horn Book
"The text and illustrations both highlight Serafina's big personality. Her expressions are strong and her costumes amusingly over-the-top, and the cheerful beachy palette creates a comical juxtaposition to Serafina’s initial moodiness."
—Booklist
