A picture-book series by Beth Forsyth
Whoever heard of a scaredy-pants dog?
Meet Max, a German Shepherd who dreams of joining the police K-9 team and helping people. There's just one problem: the siren.
The Scaredy-Pants Dog
Beth Forsyth
Cover art goes here
Meet the Author
How Beth Forsyth brought Max to life.
About Beth →Book 1
Max is scared of the siren. Can he still graduate from K-9 school?
Read about it →Book 2
Max's New Adventure is on its way.
Coming soon →It's okay to be scared.
Every book in the series follows Max as he faces a fear, grows into a braver version of himself, and makes new friends along the way. Kids see that feeling scared is normal, and that they can be brave anyway.
About the Author
Beth Forsyth
Children's author and creator of Max, the scaredy-pants dog.
Beth Forsyth writes picture books about big feelings for little readers. Her debut, The Scaredy-Pants Dog: A Police K-9 Picture Book, introduced Max Von Ruffhausen, a German Shepherd from a long line of police dogs who wants nothing more than to follow in his parents' paw prints and help people.
Beth wanted to tell a story that kids could see themselves in. Max isn't fearless. He hides when the siren goes off, and he worries he'll never make it through K-9 school. What he learns is that being brave doesn't mean you stop feeling scared. It means you keep going when someone needs you.
Brought to life with bright, colorful illustrations by Eric M. Strong, the book has become a bedtime favorite with families, grandparents, and early readers. Beth is now hard at work on Max's next adventure.
Book 1
The Scaredy-Pants Dog
A Police K-9 Picture Book
Max Von Ruffhausen comes from a long line of police dogs. Every day his mom and dad head off to do brave, heroic work for the police force, and Max can't wait to join them.
But Max has a secret: the police siren scares him silly. His teacher, Sergeant Curtis, tries everything to help. Treats don't work. Toys don't work. Every time the siren wails, Max runs and hides.
Can Max overcome his fear and graduate from K-9 school, or will he stay a scaredy-pants dog forever?
| Author | Beth Forsyth |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Eric M. Strong |
| Published | November 3, 2023 |
| Reading age | 3–10 years |
| Length | 24 pages, 8.5 × 8.5 in |
| Formats | Paperback and Kindle |
| ISBN-13 | 979-8866294671 |
Who's in the story
Max
A German Shepherd in K-9 school who dreams of helping people. Brave at heart, scared of the siren.
Sergeant Curtis
Max's patient teacher, who never gives up on helping him past his fear.
Max's Parents
Two hardworking police dogs whose heroic jobs inspire Max every day.
What readers are saying
"My kids loved this story and asked me to read it again!"Amazon customer review
"Teaches that it's ok to be scared, but it's even better to overcome that fear."Stephanie M., Amazon review
"It's always his first choice for 'Grandmom' to read before bedtime."Dy-Ann, Amazon review
Talk about it together
- Why do you think the siren scared Max so much?
- Sergeant Curtis tried treats and toys. What else might help someone who feels scared?
- What is something that used to scare you? How did you get braver?
- What helped Max finally stop noticing the siren?
Book 2 · Coming Soon!
Max's New Adventure
Max faced the siren and earned his place on the K-9 team. Now a brand-new adventure is waiting.
The next book picks up Max's story with new challenges, new friends, and more chances to show that brave hearts come in every size. Beth is writing it now, and you'll find the first look right here.
Case file: Book 2 progress
Story idea
Max's next adventure is mapped out.
Writing & illustrations
Words and pictures are coming together.
Release day
Check back here for the cover reveal and release date.
Pictures from the books
Max's Photo Album
Peek inside The Scaredy-Pants Dog with illustrations by Eric M. Strong.