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Serafina Makes Waves
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.
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.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 18, 2026
Water — NOPE not for Serafina!
Great story to share with children who are reluctant about water — bath time, washing up, playing in the rain, the ocean and pool.
Serafina puts on the brakes when she is expected to have anything to do with water except drink it. That is until she rescues her stuffy, Noodles, and learns just how amazing it is to freshen up and play in water.
The illustrations and words come alive with Serafina’s strong will and ability to change her perception about water.
Great story to share with children who are reluctant about water — bath time, washing up, playing in the rain, the ocean and pool.
Serafina puts on the brakes when she is expected to have anything to do with water except drink it. That is until she rescues her stuffy, Noodles, and learns just how amazing it is to freshen up and play in water.
The illustrations and words come alive with Serafina’s strong will and ability to change her perception about water.
June 21, 2026
This was cute! The illustrations are fantastic and the story is nice, though it did have an extremely 'written by a milennial' energy that hit strangely to me even though I too am one of those dreaded milennials.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Trying new things that might be a little scary is a concept that young readers will relate to when reading this delightful picture book from well-known author of children's books. The life lesson of helping a friend is also a part of Serafina's story.
Serafina does not like water. She does not like the rain. She does not like the bathtub or running water from a faucet. Mom and Dad ad the terrible idea that Serafina should take swimming lessons. Serafina tried all kinds of ways to avoid these swimming lessons. Mom and Dad were adament that she take the swimming lessons, and Serafina finally found herself on the way to getting into that pool. She was very reluctant and tried to avoid the inevitable happening of getting into that pool.
A surprise ending forced Serafina into the pool. The event that forced her into the pool changed her idea about water forever and she even began to use bath time as a spa day.
Robin Rosenthal contributed her talents as an illustrator with large and colorful illustrations. The text is written in large print with opportunities for dramatic reading with extra large words with the surprise happening.
This delightful picture book is recommended for ages 3-7. It will be published by Penguin Young Readers on March 31, 2026.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Matthew Burgess is also a poet and educator. He is an associate professor at Brooklyn College and has been a poet-in-residence in the New York City public schools. He also serves as a senior editor of Teachers and Writers Magazines.
Serafina does not like water. She does not like the rain. She does not like the bathtub or running water from a faucet. Mom and Dad ad the terrible idea that Serafina should take swimming lessons. Serafina tried all kinds of ways to avoid these swimming lessons. Mom and Dad were adament that she take the swimming lessons, and Serafina finally found herself on the way to getting into that pool. She was very reluctant and tried to avoid the inevitable happening of getting into that pool.
A surprise ending forced Serafina into the pool. The event that forced her into the pool changed her idea about water forever and she even began to use bath time as a spa day.
Robin Rosenthal contributed her talents as an illustrator with large and colorful illustrations. The text is written in large print with opportunities for dramatic reading with extra large words with the surprise happening.
This delightful picture book is recommended for ages 3-7. It will be published by Penguin Young Readers on March 31, 2026.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Matthew Burgess is also a poet and educator. He is an associate professor at Brooklyn College and has been a poet-in-residence in the New York City public schools. He also serves as a senior editor of Teachers and Writers Magazines.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This book had me at hello. The endpapers alone—adorable critters in swim caps parading along the length of a pool—had me giggling and immediately calling a coworker over to admire them. From there, readers are introduced to Serafina, her beloved stuffie Noodles, and a collection of whimsical toys and outfits that set the tone for what follows. Robin Rosenthal’s illustrations are rich with detail and humor, rewarding readers who slow down and really take the time to look.
Matthew Burgess’s text is a delight to read aloud. Written in third person but frequently addressing the reader directly, it playfully breaks the fourth wall and pulls listeners right into Serafina’s dramatic predicament. Burgess uses wonderfully bold vocabulary—paired with contextual clues and nearby synonyms—that makes this an especially strong choice for storytime and classroom read-alouds.
Serafina’s absolute disdain for water is communicated with gusto (“hates, loathes, DESPISES”), making her reluctant enrollment in swim class feel suitably catastrophic. Her eventual leap into the pool to save Noodles provides a satisfying emotional payoff and a gentle reminder that trying something new can lead to unexpected joy. With its expressive language, visual humor, and endearing protagonist, Serafina Makes Waves is a charming invitation for young readers to step just a little outside their comfort zones.
Matthew Burgess’s text is a delight to read aloud. Written in third person but frequently addressing the reader directly, it playfully breaks the fourth wall and pulls listeners right into Serafina’s dramatic predicament. Burgess uses wonderfully bold vocabulary—paired with contextual clues and nearby synonyms—that makes this an especially strong choice for storytime and classroom read-alouds.
Serafina’s absolute disdain for water is communicated with gusto (“hates, loathes, DESPISES”), making her reluctant enrollment in swim class feel suitably catastrophic. Her eventual leap into the pool to save Noodles provides a satisfying emotional payoff and a gentle reminder that trying something new can lead to unexpected joy. With its expressive language, visual humor, and endearing protagonist, Serafina Makes Waves is a charming invitation for young readers to step just a little outside their comfort zones.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Serfina Makes Waves by Matthew Burgess is an adorable picture book about a cat who despises water but must face her fears when her parents sign her up for swimming lessons.
What I Liked: The illustrations by Robin Rosenthal are the highlight of this book. They are vibrant, playful, and filled with clever details. I especially loved how expressive Serafina is; Rosenthal captures her personality so well that you instantly understand exactly what she’s feeling on every page.
Equally engaging is the storytelling. Burgess involves the reader by breaking the "fourth wall" and speaking directly to the audience. This narrative style makes for a fantastic read-aloud experience, and my Kindergarten through 3rd-grade classes absolutely loved it. Most importantly, the students really connected with the book's core message: sometimes, when you step out of your comfort zone and try something new, you might just find that you love it.
Ultimately, Serafina Makes Waves is a charming picture book that combines a splash of humor with a wonderful lesson on bravery.
This review first appeared on YA Books Central and can be found here:
https://yabookscentral.com/serafina-m...
What I Liked: The illustrations by Robin Rosenthal are the highlight of this book. They are vibrant, playful, and filled with clever details. I especially loved how expressive Serafina is; Rosenthal captures her personality so well that you instantly understand exactly what she’s feeling on every page.
Equally engaging is the storytelling. Burgess involves the reader by breaking the "fourth wall" and speaking directly to the audience. This narrative style makes for a fantastic read-aloud experience, and my Kindergarten through 3rd-grade classes absolutely loved it. Most importantly, the students really connected with the book's core message: sometimes, when you step out of your comfort zone and try something new, you might just find that you love it.
Ultimately, Serafina Makes Waves is a charming picture book that combines a splash of humor with a wonderful lesson on bravery.
This review first appeared on YA Books Central and can be found here:
https://yabookscentral.com/serafina-m...
June 18, 2026
This fun book introduces readers to Serafina, a cat of strong opinions. Her dislike of water practically jumps of the page in its intensity. Serafina tries many things to get out of swimming lessons to no avail. Her displeasure shines through in the intense frowns and drawn eyebrows of the adorable illustrations. Her friend, Lennie, however is thrilled to be taking swimming lessons and his enthusiasm results in Serafina's stuffed toy, Noodles, flying through the air toward the pool. Serafina leaps after Noodles to save her toy. At first she is upset with this "CAT-astrophe" before discovering the fun to be found in the water. Thereafter she enjoys her swimming lessons with her friends. Combining some fun to say out loud puns and bright appealing illustrations makes for a 'swimmingly' good read. A joyful ode to the fun of swimming.
April 9, 2026
An absolutely entertaining look at what it takes to finally get in the water and realize that it's actually enjoyable. Serafina is a cat with her pet stuffed animal Noodles. Serafina refuses to get in water or even near water until her cat parents decide she needs to learn to swim and she finds herself at a pool where she's trying to find a way out of it. But then Noodles gets unceremoniously tossed into the water and she must go after Noodles. When she does, she finds that the water isn't so bad so she goes from a water hater to a water lover- baths, floating in the sea, you name it.
The color palette is probably my favorite and it's enjoyably delightful to turn every page because there are gems on each page.
The color palette is probably my favorite and it's enjoyably delightful to turn every page because there are gems on each page.
August 12, 2026
I’ve been waiting for Serafina Makes Waves! My daughter is scared of the water, and we’ve been working so hard just to get her comfortable with the idea of taking swimming lessons. She was absolutely transfixed when I read this to her.
Afterward, we talked about whether she might be a little like Serafina—and whether maybe she could be brave enough to try pencil dives someday. I love when a book gives us a way to talk about something that feels big and scary without making it feel like a lesson, and this one did exactly that.
Matthew Burgess’s writing is so tender and beautiful. Bear and the Moon is another favorite in our house, and Serafina Makes Waves is going right alongside it. Such a special book, especially for little ones who need some extra courage around the water.
Afterward, we talked about whether she might be a little like Serafina—and whether maybe she could be brave enough to try pencil dives someday. I love when a book gives us a way to talk about something that feels big and scary without making it feel like a lesson, and this one did exactly that.
Matthew Burgess’s writing is so tender and beautiful. Bear and the Moon is another favorite in our house, and Serafina Makes Waves is going right alongside it. Such a special book, especially for little ones who need some extra courage around the water.
April 29, 2026
Serafina the cat hates water more than anything else. She will drink from a very long straw when she has to, but all other forms of water are strictly avoided. When her parents force her to take swimming lessons, she tries everything to get out of it. But no luck. To the pool she must go. During lessons,her good friend Lennie the dog enthusiastically leaps into the water after a ball causing Serafina to lose her favorite stuffy in the pool. Her protective instinct overrides her dislike of water and she jumps in, finding that, actually, water isn't that bad at all.
A good one for a summer swim-season storytime.
A good one for a summer swim-season storytime.
April 24, 2026
This is an excellent story to share with a young audience about trying something new. The approach is ideal as it is about overcoming fears of swimming and water - something most kids can easily relate to. Serafina is a cat that despises the water and getting wet, but when her beloved stuffy named "Noodles" falls into the pool - well, things change in a hurry. The plot is easy to understand and the colorful, expressive illustrations are perfect. As the summer season approaches, this is especially a great book to read aloud.
Review of advance copy
I found this on the shelf at an Indigo, and flipped through it, despite the fact that it's not supposed to be out yet.
It was a very cute book about a cat who learns to swim (by facing her fears). The text had fun vocab for kids (lots of dramatic synonyms) and the aesthetic of the entire book (cover, endpapers illustrations) was quite charming.
A perfect book to teach kids about facing their fears and trying something new.
It was a very cute book about a cat who learns to swim (by facing her fears). The text had fun vocab for kids (lots of dramatic synonyms) and the aesthetic of the entire book (cover, endpapers illustrations) was quite charming.
A perfect book to teach kids about facing their fears and trying something new.
July 17, 2026
Summary: Serafina does not like water, yet she must learn how to swim. When an accident happens causing her to go into the pool, she realizes being wet was actually fun.
Comments: This is an encouraging story that captures the anxiety of trying something new. It could be a perfect first day read-aloud for students, showing them that trying new or intimidating things can turn out to be fun.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Comments: This is an encouraging story that captures the anxiety of trying something new. It could be a perfect first day read-aloud for students, showing them that trying new or intimidating things can turn out to be fun.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
June 1, 2026
I’m not the usual audience for a picture book, but I couldn’t resist a story featuring a sassy cat with her cute stuffy, Noodles!
Serafina hates water with a passion, so she’s appalled when her parents enroll her in swimming lessons!
This was an adorable story with a nice message: trying something new can open up a whole world of fun!
The illustrations, in pretty pastels with dramatic lettering, vividly brought the story to life with humor and charm!
Would make a PURR-fect gift for a beloved youngster!
I voluntarily read a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Serafina hates water with a passion, so she’s appalled when her parents enroll her in swimming lessons!
This was an adorable story with a nice message: trying something new can open up a whole world of fun!
The illustrations, in pretty pastels with dramatic lettering, vividly brought the story to life with humor and charm!
Would make a PURR-fect gift for a beloved youngster!
I voluntarily read a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
July 21, 2026
I guess there's some Tiger blood not too far back in Serafina's family.... Hilarious writing style, imo. Some readers might not love it, but I do and will look for more by the author. I am taken aback by the illustrations that reveal she has at least four different swimsuits... which, given that kids grow, seems ridiculous.
April 10, 2026
ST swimming/water. A cat hates water, we all know. Including Serafina. But when her parents tell her she has to take swim lessons Searfina learns that water might not be so bad..if you're swimming. A great picture book for kids who are uncertain about water/swimming.
April 27, 2026
Not only does this book have really fun illustrations, but it is a pure word-smith for children learning synonyms and stronger "power" words in writing. I love the introduction of new words and dramatic storytelling. Serafina is relatable to lots of young children I know!
May 13, 2026
3.5 stars--A cute (and vocabulary-building) story about a cat who hates to swim...until the safety of her beloved toy is on the line during her swimming lesson. Serafina learns that a fear can become a strength!
May 20, 2026
Disclaimer: I'm not a cat person. Seraphina is a cat who really doesn't like getting wet. The illustrations were okay, but they were just too modern looking. What happened to actually drawing, coloring, or painting on real paper? Anyway, the cat is forced to take swimming lessons.
June 22, 2026
This is adorable and I love it! I think I smiled the entire way through, from the writing to the illustrations to the colors to the story!
The best part was when Serafina was conquering her dislike of the pool, and a purr escaped from between her whiskers!
The best part was when Serafina was conquering her dislike of the pool, and a purr escaped from between her whiskers!
August 4, 2026
The cover and endpapers are absolutely eyecatching, sure to attract a young reader. This could be a good story to read to a reluctant swimmer, especially one who loves cats. You might get to explain who the "Powers that Be" are!
August 18, 2026
Cute story about a cat who overcomes her fear & hatred of the water to save her best friend (toy) and learns she actually loves the water! Illustrations are great and the story is sweet and cute. Overall, would rate 4/5 stars ⭐️ and recommend for ages 4 and up.
April 3, 2026
A book about trying thing we think we don’t like but we haven’t really experienced.
April 7, 2026
Serafina is adorable.
Read
April 12, 2026This book was pretty predictable (as an adult) but still cute.
April 22, 2026
Picture book with a cat? I'm here for it.
But also, I love the writing--addressing the reader as Reader, subtle humor, parents referred to as the Power That Be.
Fun, expressive illustrations.
But also, I love the writing--addressing the reader as Reader, subtle humor, parents referred to as the Power That Be.
Fun, expressive illustrations.
April 24, 2026
Cute art, cute story about a cat who hates water coming around to loving it. Kind of a story we've seen a thousand times, but still fun. The art really makes it.
April 25, 2026
Cute book about a young cat overcoming her fear of water and swimming.
April 26, 2026
"Reader, look at her now, as she drifts through a sea of sparkling aquamarine, a vision of glistening PURR-fection!"
Read
April 29, 2026A little long for 2-pre school age, but kindergarten and up seemed to stay focused on it. I know it couldve been preformed better so maybe I'll try it again.
May 3, 2026
A pretty cute story of a cat who dislikes the water.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews