From the award-winning author of Anisha, Accidental Detective, Serena Patel, and talented illustrator Emma McCann, comes a heartwarming and hilarious new series perfect for young animal lovers! Pia’s Pet Club: Puppy Problem is the first installment in a lively, pet-filled adventure that celebrates friendship, community, and South Asian heritage.
Inspired by her own upbringing, being raised in a South Asian household where having pets was not a norm, Serena’s book follows the story of Pia who is determined to prove to her parents that she is responsible enough to have a pet.
Pia loves pets, but no matter how much she begs her parents for one, the answer is always NO! Determined to prove she’s responsible enough, she takes on the challenge of helping her friend Hari train his mischievous puppy, Luna. But when Luna’s antics spiral into total chaos, Pia realises she’ll need more than just determination, she’ll need a Pet Club!
Pia’s Pet Club introduces a vibrant, multicultural cast of characters from a range of family backgrounds, reflecting the beautifully diverse world children grow up in today. Patel’s storytelling is rooted in her belief that all children deserve to feel seen in the stories they read. Set in a communal garden of an apartment block, the story highlights the power of friendship, teamwork, and community spirit. At the center of it all are the rich South Asian cultural elements that are woven seamlessly into the story, from home-cooked meals and lively family gatherings to familiar South Asian words, and the importance of respect and responsibility, making her journey relatable for all readers while celebrating diverse cultures.
Serena Patel says “It’s so powerful for children to see themselves in books. It’s empowering and validating. It’s also important for children to see someone who is different to them as the hero of the story and learn about the experiences of others. Books as mirrors and windows are a brilliant tool for empathy and learning as well as being joyful and wonderful to read.”
The adventure doesn’t stop here! Readers can look forward to more fun with Pia and her friends in upcoming releases:
PIA’S PET CLUB: THE SECRET KITTEN (January 2026)
PIA’S PET CLUB: GUINEA PIG SHOWTIME (July 2026)
Serena Patel is the award-winning author of the Anisha, Accidental Detective series, which has won the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award for Fiction and the Week Junior Book Award for
Children’s Book of the Year: Young Fiction. Passionate about representation in children’s books, she lives in the West Midlands with her family and enjoys movies, reading, and chocolate cake. Serena’s previous book series Anisha, Accidental detective is in development for TV by BBC studios kids & family with Emmy Award-Winning actress, Archie Panjabi as executive producer.
Serena Patel
About the Illustrator
Emma McCann is a freelance illustrator and printmaker living in Cornwall. She creates lively and engaging artwork from her attic studio, fueled by a love of storytelling and extensive research into the best cream teas in the region
