Pete the Kitty’s First Day of Preschool

Toddler-PreS–Pete the Kitty—a preschool spin-off of the popular button-popping, shoe-soiling cat—licks his first day of school with style. What should he take to school? Pencils, paintbrush, and a groovy rocket backpack he picked out himself. Pete knows what to do when he gets on the bus. His brother asks: “‘Are you nervous?’ ‘No,’ says Pete. ‘I’m cool.’” At school, Pete loves reading, singing, and painting. When it’s time to go home, Pete doesn’t want to leave. Pete loves preschool. Flat illustrations are the Deans’ signature style. Vibrant colors draw attention, while the irregular fill and thin black outlines feel relaxed and childlike. Big-eyed Pete and his classmates look similar to the popular big-eye plushies. The illustrated content clearly matches the narrated text. The text reads like a voice-over and describes the action and Pete’s own thoughts and feelings. Tots headed for their first day of preschool will find this straightforward approach accessible and encouraging. Pete is confident on his first day and embarks with a can-do attitude. While touching only briefly on the activities a new preschooler may encounter, Pete’s mind-set is one for youngsters to emulate.