Pete the Cat and the Easter Basket Bandit
(Pete the Cat)

K-Gr 2--An interactive picture book for young readers that starts with a mystery. Pete is concerned that his Easter basket, which should be full of treats, is missing. He searches everywhere for it but cannot find it. He then notices a colorful jellybean trail that leads him to his friend Callie's house. She has her basket but has not seen his. They see another trail of candy and decide to follow it. The trail leads them to another friend. Pete's missing Easter basket turns into a mystery that he and his friends work together to solve, but what they discover isn't what they expected. Pete finds his basket, but he and his friends also learn how important it is to give and share with others. Along with teaching a lesson, the authors use a repetitive literary pattern, a strategy that helps young emerging readers acquire reading and language skills. The book comes with eight cards, a fold-out poster, and stickers. VERDICT Due to the extra materials, this is perhaps more for personal than public or school library ownership. A satisfying addition to a child's or children's library.--Laura Ellis