The series
Pickle the Classroom Guinea Pig
Illustrated early chapter books for ages 6 to 9, with read-aloud appeal for younger children. Warm, funny classroom stories about big feelings, sensory overwhelm, and being exactly yourself — starring a shy-but-brave guinea pig in a sparkly pink tutu.
Book 1: Pickle's First Day of School (out now)
Short description: It's Pickle's first day as the class pet in Room P301, and everything is a lot: too loud, too bright, too many hands. One small guinea pig discovers that being exactly herself is exactly enough.
Long description: When a small guinea pig in a pink tutu arrives as the new class pet of Room P301, her first day does not go as planned. Carrots are stolen, glitter is spilled, and Pickle discovers that school can be overwhelming: too loud, too bright, too many hands at once. With help from gentle, prepared Blake (who read a whole book about guinea pigs), big-ideas Brody, quiet artist Emma, and Waffles the therapy dog, Pickle learns that big feelings are okay and that being exactly herself is exactly enough. A funny, warm read-aloud with heart, told in 13 short chapters with full-color illustrations throughout.
| Format | Full-color illustrated paperback, 5.5 × 8.5 in |
|---|---|
| Length | 78 pages, 13 chapters |
| Age range | 6–9 (read-aloud friendly for younger children) |
| ISBN-13 | 979-8198488045 |
| Published | 2026, independently published (Amazon KDP) |
| Buy | Amazon |
| Review | Leave an Amazon review |
Book 2: Pickle and the Picture Day Disaster (coming soon)
Picture Day comes to Room P301, and Pickle is supposed to hold still, smile, and look perfect. But there's a strawberry, a camera, and a guinea pig who has never held still in her life. 14 chapters, full-color, same format as Book 1. Amazon listing coming shortly; contact us for advance materials.
About the author
Blake Dietz wrote the first Pickle book when she was 9 years old. She loves reading, drawing, and dreaming up funny adventures, and she published her very first book at age 7. The Pickle series is a family project: Blake writes and directs the stories, with production help from her family and AI-assisted illustration (disclosed on each book's copyright page). To protect a young author's privacy, we don't share photos or personal details; interview requests from media and educators are welcome through a parent at hello@picklethebook.com.
Sample content
Real interior illustrations are on the home page ("Peek inside Book 1" and "Sneak peek at Book 2"), and the books' own activity pages are free on the Activities page (step-by-step drawing sheets and a seek-and-find). Educators are welcome to print the activity sheets for classroom use.