A must-read, award-winning children's book perfect for fans of The Snail and the Whale and The Pout-Pout Fish!
Most cats hate water, but not Aqua Paws! He loves the ocean—but fears crabs. When Aqua Paws gets stuck, can he overcome his fear and discover the power of friendship?
Winner of the Purple Dragonfly Book Award and finalist in the Feathered Quill Book Awards, Aqua Paws features vibrant illustrations and an uplifting message about courage, kindness, friendship and the environment.
This heartwarming adventure is perfect for children ages 4-8 and is a favorite among parents, teachers, and young ocean explorers.
Patricia Allieri is an award-winning children's author and founder of Aqua Kids Books. She has worked for fifteen years across all grade levels within the public school system. Her work has received the Mom's Choice Award, the Feathered Quill Book Award, and the Purple Dragonfly Book Award. Patricia is the author of the popular "My Pet!" series, which currently includes My Cat Thinks He's a Puppy and My Pig Thinks He's a Panda. Her book Aqua Paws has been featured on the TV show Dawn's Corner.
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Beautifully illustrated, wonderfully written, Aqua Paws by Patricia Allieri has everything I would love to have in a picture book, if I was a child. I loved it! The story is cute with an ecological message that can make a child feel like they can make a difference while enjoying what our watery world has to offer. A story of friendship and teamwork. I love the does and don’ts at the end of the book that mirror the only leave a footprint message. There is also a do it yourself build a crab project that adds more fun, making the story continue after the book is read. I highly recommend this aquatic adventure.
This is a cute children’s book about a cat that goes snorkeling with his friends to get treasures. He runs into a scary adventure, but someone comes to help him but the crab with the big claw that scared him at first. this would make a great bedtime story.
This was such a wonderful book. i adored the illustrations! i also loved that kids learned about the importance of taking care of our earth and the oceans in a fun and easy to understand way!! Well done! Great book that shares wonderful meaning!
Aqua Paws is such a cute and well written, well taught lesson of a story!
Aqua Paws has the most adorable illustrations to keep little ones entertained and drawn to the story. They will love the bright colors and cute characters, as well as try to even flip backwards or ahead to see the illustrations ahead of time or over again! I read this one to two of my nephews, both under the age of five. Both of them loved it, and one of them especially loved the appearance of the crab 🦀 included on nearly every open page (or two pages if the artwork used both pages). It kind of grew into a game where I’d ask him or he’d just eventually catch on and point out, “THE CRAB!”
This led to the little one calling this book “The Crab,” but in his defense, he’s still a baby. I was impressed he was following along as well as he did!
The story, besides being cute and entertaining, teaches children the dangers of littering and how it can become scary, dangerous, and harmful to animals-especially our water life creatures! And besides the helping the environment lesson, it also teaches about overcoming fears and/or prejudices we may have against others. In this case, it was a kitten being scared of crabs, only to find itself saved by the crab!
Overall, a cute story about friendship, unlikely companions, and helping the environment. I rated this one:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/ 5 Stars.
My nephews thoughts:
The oldest- I liked that story, but I love the crab! (His favorite part of the book).
The youngest- “The Crab!” (When asked which book, out of a couple I had, was his favorite).
Aqua Paws is a picture book by Patricia Allieri, and illustrated by Stella Maris. It features Aqua Paws, the cat, who adores being in the water. Though he has a fear of crabs. In this little adventure, Aqua Paws and his friend, Purple Beak (a turtle) are exploring the ocean for treasures, and to help keep it clean.
This is a book that made me smile a lot. I love the spirit of Aqua Paws and how passionate he is about exploring the ocean. It was great to go along with him, and Purple Beak, on this journey. Not only is it a book about adventuring, but it also has bits of wisdom about helping keep the ocean clean, and how litter can negatively affect animals.
One of my favourite bits about the book is the illustrations. There’s all sorts of incredible bits of sea life to look at throughout the book. The art is full of so many beautiful colours and textures. There’s all sorts of sea creatures. There’s some incredible scenes. The artist has done really amazing work throughout the entirety of this book.
Overall, I absolutely love this book. The story has some great fun bits, while also being a little bit educational about the effects of littering. There’s so much exploration in the book, and the illustrations make it look incredible. I am amazed by the work of the artist. The images make me smile so much. I think it’s a brilliant book to own, and I one hundred percent recommend it.
Aqua Paws was such a cute little picture book and beautifully illustrated by Stella Maris. I enjoyed this book as we meet our Kitten who wants to swim but he's scared, it's not the water that scares him but what is beneath the surface, especially crabs. As someone who isn't a confident swimmer, I related to this cat as I would probably swim more in the ocean but what scares me is not knowing what's beneath the surface and I have a fear of crabs and jellyfish as I don't want to be snipped or stung while swimming. I dream of snorkeling but being around all those sea creatures while I am swimming at the same time freaks me out. After reading this book, I have decided I need to be brave like the cat in this book as if he can do it, I suppose I could too. The other thing I loved about Aqua Paws is that recently I was chatting to the author and learned that she had written this book and based the cat on her kitty Jack. I always find books like this a bit more special when based on true stories as they are easier to relate to and can use them in school visits and family time as learning opportunities. Aqua Paws is the perfect water safety read for children aged 3-6 years old and one all families and cat lovers should give a read.
Aqua Paws, an adorable cat, loves the ocean, but not the crabs that live in it. When his friend, Purple Beak, a sea turtle, convinces him to go into the water to explore and pick up litter, Aqua Paws jumps right in. Though nervous, Aqua Paws swims around the sea until he sees a huge crab! But that doesn’t stop him from helping to clear the ocean from litter. When his paw gets stuck in plastic, he’s rescued by an unlikely ally.
With adorable illustrations and clever details — like a unicorn floaty and snorkel equipment for cats — this delightful story with a sweet main character will take young readers along on an underwater adventure. Throughout the gentle story, issues about litter in the ocean are sprinkled into the text, reminding readers about the dangers of polluting the seas. Back matter includes advice about how to keep beaches and oceans clear of litter as well as how to respect marine life. Plus, the author has included instructions for a fun craft activity for children to build their own crab.
A darling beach read for children this summer!
A sincere thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
This children’s book is a truly lovely and heartwarming read. It tells the story of a cat who is afraid of crabs and, after dying, encounters the ocean in a very meaningful way. What makes the story especially touching is that a crab—of all creatures—becomes the one who helps the cat, showing that kindness and support can come from the most unexpected places. At its core, the book gently teaches important lessons about keeping the oceans clean, working together to protect nature, and not judging others based on fear or assumptions. These themes are presented in a way that is accessible and emotional without being heavy-handed, making it very suitable for children. What really elevates this book, though, are the illustrations. They are absolutely beautiful and bring the ocean world to life in a way that will captivate both children and adults. The artwork adds depth to the story and makes it a joy to read aloud and revisit. Overall, this is a wonderfully illustrated, meaningful children’s book with a kind message about environmental responsibility, empathy, and cooperation. A truly lovely addition to any child’s bookshelf.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a very cute story about a cat, Aqua Paws, that loves the water and goes out on it with his best friend, a turtle whose name is Purple Beak. These two unlikely friends like to go hunting treasures in the water and while hunting they pick up any litter as well. They also enjoy just playing in the water.
Aqua Paws is pretty fearless except for one thing, crabs. He is terrified of them pinching him, and when he goes deep down under the water, he sees a big one. What is he to do especially when he finds himself in a precarious position?
This book is beautifully and brightly illustrated. Aqua Paws is adorable, and I like that almost on every page there is a little crab following him around. It reminds mee of another beloved children's book series. This story will help kids to learn not to litter, maybe even help out cleaning it up, and to face their fears. Maybe just maybe what you feared will become your greatest ally.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from iRead Book Tours. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Aqua Paws is a cat who loves the water. That makes him unique from the start since most cats hate water. He’s not unique when it comes to being afraid of crabs, though. They can pinch! He and his friend, Purple Beak, go searching for treasure which they find, but they also find trash! In fact, Aqua Paws gets stuck in some plastic and guess who saves him?
This is a wonderful book to read to children. It has an interesting story that teaches about not judging those different from you, and also teaching the dangers of ocean pollution. It’s heartbreaking knowing how much of our trash ends up killing ocean life.
The illustrations are amazing! They’re detailed with vibrant colors.
At the end, there are ways to help Aqua Paws preserve the ocean and how to make your own crab using a toilet paper roll. This is definitely a book that belongs in a child’s library. I’ve already read it to my grandson a couple of times.
This is truly one of the most adorable children's books I've ever read, with an important lesson for all ages.
Aqua Paws is a kitty who loves the water, except for one thing...crabs! He fears getting pinched and avoids them at all costs. One beautiful day he and his turtle friend Purple Beak go on an adventure in the ocean, collecting treasures and picking up trash. While exploring on his own Aqua Paws finds himself in a dangerous situation and must face his greatest fears when only a crab is available to help.
The illustrations in this book are utterly charming - I went back and studied each page at least three times! Aqua Paws is just darling decked out in his diving gear, and the little crab tucked into nearly every scene was a clever twist.
Most importantly, this story warns about the harm that can come to animals when humans litter. The book ends with a few tips to help Aqua Paws preserve the ocean, and a cute craft project showing how to build a crab using a toilet paper roll. 4 paws, 2 claws, and 8 legs up!
Aqua Paws is an adventurous cat who loves to swim and discover all the exciting creatures and plants in the ocean. There’s only one hitch. He’s terrified of crabs and there are a lot of them beneath the surface. This is where the story starts and where I became enamored by the adventure and characters in the book.
Each turn of the page is a new adventure or creature and there’s the suspense of when the cat will meet a crab. You know it’s coming. When the two finally cross paths, it’s momentous.
One thing I noticed after a couple of pages was that there was a small red crab that appeared throughout the book. It’s not mentioned and the cat seems unaware. I found myself searching for it on each new page. It was a fun addition to the adventure.
Aqua Paws is an adorable children’s picture book filled with fun adventure and beautiful, colorful illustrations. I had such fun reading it and imagine parents reading it to their kids will have fun too. As will the children who can read it themselves.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
This book is so colorful and fun. Every page is beautiful and portrays the beach and how exotic the ocean can be for kids. The main character is a cat who loves the sea and water, which is unusual. But this cat isn't afraid of water it's afraid of crabs.
We go on an excursion with Aqua Paws and his friend the sea turtle to the coral reefs and other magnificent underwater places. Aqua Paws even brings an underwater camera where he takes plenty of pictures of their adventure. Each page is beautifully illustrated and awesome just like the sea.
I always find it hard to write picture books because I feel the best picture books have lovely illustrations that overshadow the words. But this picture book was an excellent proportion of illustration and story. I felt I floated along with Aqua Paws as we explored the ocean together to come across a crab, but nothing is as it seems.
AQUA PAWS is an adorable story and I guarantee your child, grandchild, nephew, niece, or child in your life will love it!
The book follows the underwater adventures of a beer-bellied cat that goes by the name of Aqua Paws and his non-introduced friend Purple Beak. As they dive to find treasures and clean-up trash, the cat keeps an anxious eye out for crabs, which terrifies him.
The story isn't too bad but nor is it too good. There aren't really much descriptions, the fact we are introduced or not introduced to characters as if we should already know them and the almost generic end along with the A to B quick format.
Readers will also find a page at tbe end of the book with tips on how to be green.
For the lack of text descriptions, the illustrations do a fairly decent job to complement the book. Ranging from full page to sometimes about a quarter, they are colorful yet subdued at the same time. There are some beautiful shading in others portions while basically the illustrator got cheeky while adding at least a crab to every page and in some questionable places like on our cat's tail.
My favorite part of this book is the imaginative names the author gives the characters. The main characters are Aqua Paws, a cat, and Purple Beak, a turtle. The pair go on an adventure to find treasure and also clean up ocean litter. Normally cats don't like water so the fact that the author chose a cat to swim in the water is very cute. I'm a cat person so any chance to read and see cute cats is a book I want to read! The ideal audience is young readers just starting school. The story and illustrations will keep them engaged and as they grow in their reading skills, they can read the book to you! There is also an important lesson about keeping our oceans free of garbage and it is illustrated in an important moment in the story. I hope you enjoy this book with your little ones as much as I did!
This is a delightful story that illustrates facing one’s fears, not judging those different from you, and the importance of taking care of our oceans. I loved the characters in the book and know your children will also.
Aqua Paws is adventurous and, surprisingly, loves the water. However, he is terrified of crabs. So, of course, Paws comes face-to-face with a giant crab. Oh my! But when Aqua Paws finds himself in a dangerous situation he must accept help from the crab.
The book is beautifully illustrated. I found myself lingering over each colorful page.
The last two pages of the book have tips on how to reserve the oceans and a fun activity for making your own crab from a toilet paper roll.
This sweet story is perfect for children of all ages.
AQUA PAWS is an ocean-themed book that highlights the ecosystems underwater and the wonders of underwater adventures. The author created a simple facade of a children's book, but behind the frontage lurks a serious concept: protecting the marine environment and promoting ocean conservation. We do not have to put aside Aqua Paws' little worries and fears because they are the foundation of the story. The bigger picture - the educational part of the book that will inspire young ocean enthusiasts and conservationists. The narrative is uncomplicated, the sentences are short and easy to read, and young readers are familiar with most of the words. The watercolour illustrations are a good guide for the story.
Aqua Paws by Patricia Allieri is an excellent book for early readers and their caregivers. It features engaging characters, beautiful illustrations, and educational messages seamlessly woven into the story to keep readers entertained.
In this short book, Aqua Paws learns about facing fears, avoiding quick judgments, and the importance of protecting our oceans and beaches. Both children and adults can learn valuable lessons from Aqua Paws.
The book highlights the need for everyone to contribute to preserving our planet's habitability, demonstrating how even small steps can yield significant rewards.
It is supposed that all cats hate water, but Aqua Paws just loves it. He enjoys splashing and diving with his friend Purple Beak, the turtle. However, he is afraid of crabs. The story is enjoyable, but what I like most about this book is that it shows how important it is to recycle and not to drop plastic in the sea. Soda can rings can be especially dangerous for the creatures living in the sea. I always cut all the rings before recycling them. If I have to say a but about this book is that the white letters are not easy to read. It would have been better if the letters were black. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Aqua Paws loved the water. But there was one thing he didn’t like about: the crabs!
Then his friends talk Aqua Paws into facing his fears and let the joy of the water take him in. Oh, the awesome things he saw. Vibrant fish. Mega blowfish. And, of course, crabs!
But what happens when Aqua Paws finds trouble and an unlikely specimen saves him?
The illustrations were colorful and lovely. The pictures had this watercolor style that worked very well.
A wonderful water adventure and a great motivation to preserve the oceans! Highly recommended.
Aqua Paws: A book about Friendship, Courage, and the Ocean is a cute little story by the talented author, Patricia Allieri. I thought Aqua Paws made a fun, entertaining, and sweet character while exploring the unknown. I love how Aqua Paws was able to show their bravery, determination, and learning to trust those who are different from themselves. They learn and teach us all readers – young and old some valuable and important lessons, including the troubling effects of contaminating the worlds’ oceans, I enjoyed meeting all the sea creatures featured inside the pages and seeing the new friends that Aqua Paws discovered on their journey.
Aqua Paws: A book about Friendship, Courage, and the Ocean is beautifully illustrated by the talented artist Stella Maris. The colorful pictures are visually appealing to the eye. They are a perfect addition to the story.
Aqua Paws: A book about Friendship, Courage, and the Ocean will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who are between the ages of four and nine years. It would be a great placement in school and public libraries. I am curious to see what other stories and tales that Patricia Allieri has in store for her readers in any new and upcoming releases.
I received a soft copy of Aqua Paws: A book about Friendship, Courage, and the Ocean from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I enjoyed the illustrations as well as the creativity of the story. Aqua Paws is about a cat afraid of crabs who wishes to explore the ocean with his sea turtle friend. Along the way there are lessons about working together as well as the importance of doing one's part to help keep the ocean clean. I think this is an age appropriate children's book that helps share feelings, facing fears and accountability.
How can you not love a story with a cat who enjoys free diving in the ocean with his best friend who happens to be a turtle? Aqua paws loves everything about the ocean, except for the crabs. When he finds himself in a dangerous situation his unlikely rescuer has him thinking that maybe he was too quick to judge. This is a great way for children to learn about how to care for the ocean, and the colorful illustration help bring it all to life beautifully.
Follow this cute crab fearing kitty and their friend turtle as they go for a dive to see the sea flowers and to pick up treasures they might find. Aqua Paws ends up cleaning the ocean and making a new friend.
This book is beautifully illustrated and has a great message about friendship and keeping our oceans clean.
Cute, lovely and informative Aqua Paws is terrified of crabs, but he wants to help Purple Beak clean the ocean. When Aqua Paws, the kitty gets inside water, the water is fabulous, the fish there are beautiful and Aqua Paws forgets his fears. Then comes trouble. Lovely illustrations and cute story of friendship with the message of caring for the oceans. Enjoyable both for adults and kids.
The illustrations in this book are wonderful - so beautifully drawn, colourful and full of detail - they really make the book. Aqua Paws learns that the sea crabs can be his friend and turtle helps him clean up the ocean floor. Really enjoyed reading this.
Stunning illustrations fill this children's book of an under sea adventure, with a cat named Aqua Paws who loves the water. During his dive to the sea floor he gets stuck and must face one of his greatest fears to escape! A cute story full of adventure and just the right amount of tension, this would make a wonderful bedtime read aloud.
This is a great story to teach kids about the ocean and about courage. Aqua Paws also learns that he shouldn’t assume something about a crab just because he’s a crab. He learns not to stereotype. Short story filled with great lessons!
What’s even stranger than a cat who loves water? One that is afraid of crabs. But soon, Aqua Paws finds out that there are worse things to be afraid of in the ocean.