Sea Star Cookies: Fearful Fergus Learns Water Safety, by Sarah Chaires (Independent Publisher, 2025, ages2-7, $19.99, 34pp PB)
Fearful Fergus is a fearful 250-pound English Mastiff who is afraid of many things, and, as a consequence, stars in several books to help children who are also easily frightened. In Sea Star Cookies, Fergus learns to swim, despite being afraid of the water. He has the help of his mother, a Water Watcher, and a lifeguard with a whistle.
The pool water looks like so much fun that Fergus can't wait for Mom to put on his life jacket so he can spring into the water but, oh, no! Fergus quickly learns he can't breathe under water but, just as quickly he floats to the surface where he can breathe!
What We Liked
We loved the emphasis on safety - life jackets, lifeguards, water watchers.
What We Would Change
We would have acclimated Fergus gradually to the water by starting in the shallow end but he did listen to his mom while in the water and moved his legs just as she said.
Of course, the pink starfish (sea star) cookies at the end helped propel the little pup! And the recipe is even included as well as a list of safety tules around the water.
