PETE THE KITTY AND THE BEANSTALK

Who says giants are scary?

In this clever riff on “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Pete the Kitty doesn’t trade in a cow, but he does buy magic beans for his friend Callie’s birthday. She’s confused at first, but then they plant the beans, and, as in the source tale, a “super big” beanstalk grows overnight. The two curious kittens channel Jack and climb the beanstalk into a world above the clouds. There, they find “a magic playground,” and the text begins to indulge in some early reader–friendly repetition, since “everything is super big.” The friends see huge flowers and toys; then they hear a giant’s loud voice. While the cartoon-style illustrations show Pete and Callie wide-eyed and shaking with fear, it quickly becomes apparent that they needn’t worry: The giant, named Cindy, is friendly, and she concludes her cry of “Fee! Fi! Fo! Fum!” not by scenting blood, but by proclaiming, “I just want to play my drums!” Cindy explains that her mother doesn’t appreciate her drumming, and then Pete invites her to climb down the beanstalk with Callie and him to play in the band at the birthday party. With an ending befitting a fairy tale, the narrative concludes, “Friends are the best gift of all” as Cindy cradles the kitties in her giant arms.

An enjoyable book to help new readers reach new heights.