Pete the Cat Visits Foxtale Book Shoppe!

Children love Pete the Cat.  Parents love Pete the Cat. Foxtale Book Shoppe loves Pete the Cat too.  His stories are one of the most often requested during their weekly children's story time.  So when James Dean, creator of Pete the Cat, launched his newest book, Pete the Cat's Magic Sunglasses, Foxtale invited James and his wife, Kimberly, who wrote the story, to visit. James, Kimberly and a whole-lotta children with their parents showed up!

 The place was packed with standing room only as James read Pete's newest adventure.  James Dean and his wife collaborated on the latest book, which is their first one together.  Looks like they have a hit combination on their hands!  Pete the Cat and his Magic Sunglasses has all the classic details that make Pete so popular.  There is a simple and clear message, bright engaging illustrations and of course, Pete the Cat who says, "It's all good!"

Just like his previous books, this one will make a great classroom lesson.  In the story, Pete the Cat is not his usual self.  In fact he is feeling downright grumpy when a friend suggests he wear some magic sunglasses to change his outlook and improve his mood.  It all works wonderfully until Pete breaks his glasses.  What's a cat to do now?  Surprisingly Pete learns that he doesn't need magic glasses to change his mood.  He has the power to do that all by himself.  Elementary school counselors and parents alike will love sharing this upbeat playful message.

Like this post?  Share on Facebook or Twitter!

Last week to sign up for the free Wyatt book:  Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving.  You can sign up here:   wyatthewonderdog.com/freebook 

Next week, I'll be sharing details about an exciting book launch for Wyatt that you won't want to miss...

Pete the Cat Save Christmas and Teaches About Generosity

Cover of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

I've written before about how much I love the Pete the Cat books.  New this year is a book all about Pete the Cat saving Christmas and it is as clever and colorful as the original.  The story begins with Santa getting sick: "Twas the day before Christmas and Santa was ill.  In the cold winter wind he had caught a bad chill."  In desperation, Santa calls Pete the Cat and asks him to help out by delivering the toys, to which Pete replies, "I'll do it... and although I am small, at Christmas we give, so I'll give it my all."  That phrase becomes the basis of a catchy song which you can download here along with the author, Eric Litwin's rendition of the book.  In the end, Pete saves the day by delivering the last gift just in the nick of time to the cheers of all the residents at the North Pole and even Santa himself.

While the book has a catchy rhyming text and splendid illustrations, my favorite part is the message that Pete shares.  Always willing to help out, he sings over and over that although he is small he can give it his all.  This is an important message for children, especially during the Christmas season.  Just as the message of Christmas came in the form of a small baby, so each of us, children included, can contribute something to someone, somewhere during Christmas if we will just respond to the need and give it our all. 

I used this book in classroom guidance during the last week of school before the Christmas break to teach about generosity and giving.  As part of the lesson, students wrote about a way they were generous in the past and plans they had to be generous in the future. 

Do you have other books about Christmas that you would recommend for teaching children to be generous?  How do you teach children this important leason at this time of the year?

I wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!!

Like this post?  Share with your friends on Facebook and twitter!

Related articles

• Pete the Cat Saves Christmas: James Dean & Eric Litwin
• Pete the cat and his four groovy buttons / created and illustrated by James Dean ; story by Eric Litwin
• Holiday gift guide: Christmas books for kids