PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together is the first book in the PAWS graphic novel series, written by Nathan Fairbairn and illustrated by Michele Assarasakorn. Inspired by the spirit of The Baby-Sitters Club and The Princess in Black, this full-colour middle-grade graphic novel follows four best friends who start a pet-sitting business while navigating school, friendship, and growing up. (penguinrandomhouse.com)

Gabby is excited to launch PAWS (Pretty Awesome Pet Sitters) with her three closest friends. But as the business takes off, Gabby discovers that balancing pet-sitting, schoolwork, and friendships is more challenging than she expected. Through humorous adventures and heartwarming moments, she learns that asking for help and working together are just as important as being independent.

About the Story

Gabby loves animals and enjoys spending time with her three best friends. Together, they decide to start PAWS (Pretty Awesome Pet Sitters), a neighbourhood pet-sitting business where they care for dogs, cats, and other pets while helping local families.

At first, everything seems exciting, but Gabby soon finds herself overwhelmed. Managing school assignments, pet-sitting responsibilities, and friendships becomes harder than expected. As small problems begin to pile up, Gabby realizes she cannot do everything on her own.

With encouragement from her friends, Gabby learns valuable lessons about teamwork, communication, and accepting support when life becomes busy. Along the way, the group cares for a variety of adorable pets, making each chapter full of humour, warmth, and memorable moments. (penguinrandomhouse.com)

Main Characters

Gabby

Role: Main protagonist

• Animal lover and co-founder of PAWS
• Caring, enthusiastic, and responsible
• Learns to balance responsibilities and friendships
• Discovers the importance of asking for help

Gabby's Friends

Gabby's three best friends each bring their own talents and personalities to the PAWS pet-sitting business. Together, they support one another, solve problems, and share the responsibilities of caring for pets.

Major Themes

1. Friendship

The story celebrates supportive friendships built on trust, kindness, and teamwork.

2. Responsibility

Gabby learns how to manage commitments while caring for animals and keeping up with school.

3. Teamwork

Working together helps the friends overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

4. Confidence and Growth

Gabby gains confidence by learning that mistakes are opportunities to grow.

5. Love for Animals

The story highlights compassion, empathy, and responsible pet care.

Artwork and Style

Michele Assarasakorn's colourful illustrations bring the characters, pets, and neighbourhood to life with expressive artwork and energetic storytelling. The graphic novel format makes the story engaging and accessible for young readers, especially those who enjoy visual narratives.

Key Features

• First book in the PAWS graphic novel series
• Full-colour illustrations throughout
• Heartwarming story about friendship and pets
• Humorous and relatable middle-grade adventure
• Encourages teamwork, responsibility, and empathy
• Perfect for fans of The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels

Learning Benefits

The book encourages children to develop:

• Reading confidence
• Social and emotional skills
• Empathy for animals
• Teamwork and communication
• Problem-solving abilities