Author Howard Edelstein explains: “‘An Underwater Friend’ is the story of a boy who befriends a fish he caught and realizes that a friendship can develop between any two individuals. It makes the reader aware that we all have feelings, and that we should treat everyone, including our animal friends, as we would want to be treated: with respect and compassion.”

Howard is a Fish Feel board member who has been active in animal protection since the 1980s. He now helps humans and other animals after disasters, and with sheltering animals during cruelty cases. Howard’s other books are “Ready or Not, Here it Comes,” about planning for the animals in your care in the event of a disaster, and “Scooter Strays,” an interactive children’s book about the dangers a stray dog faces.

An Underwater Friend is published by Who Chains You: “Books for those who believe people—and animals—deserve to be free. Our mission is singular: to amplify the voices of the animals through the empowerment of animal lovers, activists, and rescuers to write and publish books elevating the status of animals in society.” Among its many other books, Who Chains You has also recently published “Squirmy Hermie’s Heroics,” a children’s book about the plight of hermit crabs in captivity.