I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

This is an adorable little story about a young boy who just wants to have a playdate like his sister gets to. He asks several different friends at school, but nothing comes of those requests. Then one day he's playing in his yard when a new family moves in next door. They have a girl who is about the same age as Pete and she is also very much into super heroes. In 12-14 years, these two could star in their own YA romance. They spend most of the day playing in her yard and have a blast protecting the city from evil.

The illustrations were fun and imaginative. They had bright colors without being overly distracting and they provided a lot to look at to go along with the story. This is another book that I'd be okay reading to kids a few times, not all the time, but a few re-reads wouldn't suck. Overall I give this book 3.9 out of 5 stars.

Playdates, Pete wants to have his first one, but none of his school friends accept his invitation. He ends up finding someone to play with close to home.
It's a funny book for kids.

Pete really wants to have a playdate with somebody, but none of the kids from school schedule one. Eventually, a new neighbor moves in and Pete finally gets his first playdate. This is a sweet book with the innocence of childhood play.

Thank you NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for accepting my request to read and review Pete's First Playdate.

Author: Ann Harrell
Published: 10/25/22
Genre: Children's Fiction

The cover sets the tone. The bright yellow boots and the towel cape set the mood.

The illustrations match the written story; both are pleasing.

The story centers around a 3-year-old wanting a playdate and a new neighbor. The dialogue when they met was so sweet.

This is giftable and nice for babysitters.

First and foremost, I would love to thank NetGalley, the author, and publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this advanced copy. This book is cute Recommended

Pete cannot get anyone to agree to his suggestion he go round theirs for a playdate, until someone comes to him in the shape of a new neighbour. That's about it here – it's an attractive way to pass the time, and for a lonely kid like Pete was it might give encouragement. It also shows the benefit of not seeming needy and waiting for things to fall into place, but such lessons don't really come across that clearly. Three and a half stars.

Pete's First Playdate is a very cute story about having a playdate with a new friend, who has similar interests as him. This is a cute story for preschool aged children who like superheroes since the characters play superheroes together.

The best way to make a new friend is to put on a super hero cape. Pete has a new neighbor and a new friend. A story on friendship and being a hero to a new friend. For kids who love to wear the cape!

A special thank you to Clavis Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I really like the premise of this book. Not every kid has a best friend at school. I liked how Pete asked the kids at daycare instead of just being sad. I would’ve liked him to have had a conversation with a grown up about his problem though. That could have led to a good discussion. I enjoyed his interaction with Franny Jo. But it ended really abruptly.

I really enjoyed this book. The story and illustrations were cute and the message was easily conveyed to the young audience that it was intended for.

I can't wait to read it to the young children in my family to show them they can sometimes find friends when they aren't even looking.

I feel in this day and age, it's difficult for children to truly grasp social skills since they are constantly exposed to devices and so much screen time. This is a cool way to show that kids aren't alone in this sometimes awkward arena of social interaction and encourages them to make friends.

This was cute! I appreciate the diversity, featuring a Black family moving in instead of a white one. It encourages white kids to approach kids of all backgrounds, to not even think about it. My family refers to people by their color, if they're not white, like it's important. (Ugh.) I also love the repetition of his asks, as it will teach kids to ask to hang out/have a playdate!

As an autistic kid, I didn't know how to ask and was raised by anxious people who NEVER asked and taught me NOT to ask -- so I never made friends, because I didn't ask to hang out. As a result, my friends presumed I didn't care. But I did, and I really wanted to hang out. So this book will serve as a sort of assistance script for autistic/neurodivergent children alike, and that makes me happy.~

A super sweet book. I was smiling my through it and would definitely persuade everyone with young children to pick this up. I really adored the story - it reminded me of why childhood was and still is so magical.

This was a cute story that will be encouraging to many kids. Sometimes you have to learn to ask for something instead of waiting for it to happen.

This is such a sweet book. I love Pete's adventures with his new friend. And I'm happy that he finally had a playdate! Super fun book to read to a little one.

Good job Pete! Not only did the book showcase a new neighbor, Franny Jo, it showed them having a super fun first play date. The book also shows Pete being disappointed from not getting his way immediately when asking about play dates at daycare. I thought it was fun and I’m sure the intended audience will love it.

Franny Jo and Pete became fast friends when Franny Jo moved in. They ran along the fence they played super heroes. It was a cute first play date. Would be a great book for my granddaughter when she is three.

Pete is my hero! Don't wait for things to happen! Go out! Have some superheroes! Then, make some friends! This was a really fun read about a character named Pete that reallllly realllly wants to have a playdate. Thank goodness the neighbors move in next door. I am sure Franny Jo didn't even realize that she was about to make a NEW BEST FRIEND FOREVER!

This was a cute book and a good story. The pictures were vibrant. The story was short and concise and perfect for a young child.

OMG! I just love this book so, so much! The representation, the concept, the illustrations. Everything’s so perfect!

It talks about a kid who feels out of place and has no one to play with until he gets to know another kid who’s family just moved in.

This is pure magic! Perfection.

Thank you, Clavis Publishing, for the advance reading copy.

None of Pete’s kindergarten friends wanted a playdate with him.
When no one came to play, he grew sad. His neighborhood had a surprising change, and Pete saw he had new neighbors and realized he didn’t have to ask anymore for playdates.