Dean, Kimberly and James Dean. Pete the Kitty: Wash Your Hands. James Dean, Illus. Easy Reader. My First I Can Read: Pete the Kitty Series; bk. 5. HarperCollins, 01/2022. 32pp. $16.99. 978-0-06-297418-1, PB $4.99. 978-0-06-297417-4. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-1.
Pete the Kitty, the younger version of Pete the Cat from Dean’s popular picture book series, is featured in this beginning reader book for the youngest emergent readers. Using a large, bold typeface with abundant white space, the narrative describes how Pete the Kitty learns to properly wash his hands, a skill many preschoolers and kindergarteners need to know. Some of the text rhymes, and the chant “SPLISH! SCRUB! SPLASH! RUB!” is repeated several times. The deeply colored cartoon illustrations help readers by giving clues to the text. Sure to be popular as well as useful, libraries will find this a worthy purchase.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool