Can I Keep It, Please? -- John Sullivan, Hardcover

From the award-winning author of Kitten and the Night Watchman comes a tender and relatable picture book about what makes a pet truly special.

Evie's pet is Sasha the cat. Sasha is the best pet ever. But Jenny has a friendly ferret. Garrett has cuddly guinea pigs. And David has a squawking parrot. Suddenly, to Evie, Sasha seems plain. And that makes Evie wonder...could there be a better pet for her? Until she realizes that all pets are special if you love them.

Author: John Sullivan
Publisher: Beach Lane Books
Published: 08/26/2025
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Size: 10.00h x 10.00w x 0.11d
ISBN: 9781665955560
Audience: Ages 4-8

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2025

About the Author
John Sullivan received the Ezra Jack Keats Award and Margaret Wise Brown Prize for his debut picture book Kitten and the Night Watchman, also named a best book of the year by The Boston Globe, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and BookPage. He is also the author of Ethan and the Strays, Stanley's Secret, and Can I Keep It, Please?. John is a cat lover and tap dancer who formerly worked as a night watchman. He lives in Chicago. Visit John at JohnSullivanKidBooks.com.

Jessica Gibson is a freelance illustrator from the riverfront area of Detroit, Michigan. She started her career after graduating from Wayne County Community College and has produced illustrations for a number of publishers and brands, including picture books, editorial spot pieces, packaging design, and surface patterns. Her books include Acorn Was a Little Wild by Jen Arena and Can I Keep It, Please? by John Sullivan.