FICTION

Pete the Kitty and the Mermaid’s Sandcastle

by James Dean & Kimberly Dean (text) & illus. by James Dean
HarperCollins. (My First I Can Read). Mar. 2025. 32p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780063096110; pap. $5.99. ISBN 9780063096103.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 2–Pete the Kitty visits the beach and decides to make a sandcastle with the help of his friend Jessie the mermaid. Together they build the towers and walls and dig a trench. But the castle is missing something. Jessie dives under the sea and returns with a shell, some pebbles, sea glass, strands of seaweed, and sticks of driftwood to decorate their sandcastle. When it is all done and Pete fills the trench with water, they both agree that their sandcastle is the best. With one to three short sentences per page, some word repetition, and sight words, this title is appropriate for those working toward becoming independent readers or for shared reading.
VERDICT Although light on story, the familiarity of the Dean team’s beloved feline character makes this a recommended purchase where those other early reader titles are popular.
Reviewed by Jessica Marie , Jan 01, 2025

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Chidori: A Story of One Thousand Birds
by Maruno, Jennifer
BOOKS

Blue Sky Morning
by Kim, Jihyun
BOOKS

The Paper Bridge
by Veyrenc, Joelle
BOOKS

Clara and the Man with Books in His Window
by Andruetto, María Teresa
BOOKS

What’s Scarier Than Thunder?
by Falcone, Ben
BOOKS

Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim
by Commeh, Kobina
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?