Pete the Cat: The Tip-Top Tree House by James Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I would really like to see a group of kids actually build that many large things and fit them all attached to a single tree as part of a tree house. Good thing this is just a book and not a real tree house. A good point comes up multiple times though. You can build something great, but maybe it's not so great when you can't include all of your friends together.
Showing posts with label author: james dean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label author: james dean. Show all posts
November 17, 2022
Pete the Cat: Goes Camping
Pete the Cat Goes: Camping by James Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Pete and his family go on a camping trip. It starts off with the usual camping set up and campfire stories. Of course, what is camping in the woods without bigfoot stories. Maybe bigfoot isn't the scary sasquatch he's made out to be though... or so Pete believes.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Pete and his family go on a camping trip. It starts off with the usual camping set up and campfire stories. Of course, what is camping in the woods without bigfoot stories. Maybe bigfoot isn't the scary sasquatch he's made out to be though... or so Pete believes.
Pete the Cat: Super Pete
Pete the Cat: Super Pete by Kimberly Dean
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Most of the Pete the Cat stories even though obviously fantasy as the characters are all animals, take place in a realistic setting with real activities and things that could happen day to day. This time, Pete is a traditional super hero story, complete with costume, invisible jet, secret lair, and just the right gadgets to get the job done.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Most of the Pete the Cat stories even though obviously fantasy as the characters are all animals, take place in a realistic setting with real activities and things that could happen day to day. This time, Pete is a traditional super hero story, complete with costume, invisible jet, secret lair, and just the right gadgets to get the job done.
Pete the Cat: Firefighter Pete
Pete the Cat: Firefighter Pete by James Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This story tells the tale of Pete and his friends going on a fieldtrip to the firehouse so they can see everything and how the firefighters prep for their jobs. While there, an actual fire happens, so the Pete gets to go with the firefighters to put out the fire and save another friend. While firehouse tours and even demonstrations with firetrucks have been activities to arrange with schools and kids in the past, they wouldn't have a kid actually ride along on the job, and some kids may want to do just that after reading this story. Kids can latch onto some ideas pretty quick and hard if given half a chance to do so. Older kids seem to know better and will laugh at the oddity in the story of Pete going along for the ride all the way through the whole adventure.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This story tells the tale of Pete and his friends going on a fieldtrip to the firehouse so they can see everything and how the firefighters prep for their jobs. While there, an actual fire happens, so the Pete gets to go with the firefighters to put out the fire and save another friend. While firehouse tours and even demonstrations with firetrucks have been activities to arrange with schools and kids in the past, they wouldn't have a kid actually ride along on the job, and some kids may want to do just that after reading this story. Kids can latch onto some ideas pretty quick and hard if given half a chance to do so. Older kids seem to know better and will laugh at the oddity in the story of Pete going along for the ride all the way through the whole adventure.
Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete
Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete by Kimberly Dean
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Pete and Callie go trick or treating with Pete's dad. Every house is a new adventure to see if it is too spooky or not until the night is over. This is one that kids may want to read with an older sibling or parent as eventually, the flaps for the lift-the-flap parts may tear with small hands who aren't as careful handling the book.
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My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Pete and Callie go trick or treating with Pete's dad. Every house is a new adventure to see if it is too spooky or not until the night is over. This is one that kids may want to read with an older sibling or parent as eventually, the flaps for the lift-the-flap parts may tear with small hands who aren't as careful handling the book.
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November 15, 2022
Pete the Cat: Cavecat Pete
Pete the Cat: Cavecat Pete by James Dean
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Overall, this is another simple book for children about getting along and having a good time with your friends. There is a moment towards the end though, when T. Rex points out he's hungry and a carnivore that the story could have taken a turn for the worse. Having two kids who love all things dinosaurs, this did not escape their attention. Fortunately, a bunch of dinosaurs and a cat at a picnic aren't exactly historically accurate, so in this version, anything can happen, even T. Rex enjoying a good ol' fashioned salad.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Overall, this is another simple book for children about getting along and having a good time with your friends. There is a moment towards the end though, when T. Rex points out he's hungry and a carnivore that the story could have taken a turn for the worse. Having two kids who love all things dinosaurs, this did not escape their attention. Fortunately, a bunch of dinosaurs and a cat at a picnic aren't exactly historically accurate, so in this version, anything can happen, even T. Rex enjoying a good ol' fashioned salad.
Pete the Cat: Construction Destruction
Pete the Cat: Construction Destruction by James Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A cute idea and theme with the kids coming together to tear down the old playground and build a new one. Perhaps slightly concerning that it seems like a bunch of kids/animals are operating heavy machinery without any supervision, and some cleaver children catch onto that and get their own ideas. That's not to say that there aren't safer ways for even smaller kids to help design and/or build a playground with the correct supervision. Better yet, let them build something all on their own with a set of building blocks and they can dream up anything they want. Bonus points if they work together with friends or siblings to get that teamwork feel in the process.
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My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A cute idea and theme with the kids coming together to tear down the old playground and build a new one. Perhaps slightly concerning that it seems like a bunch of kids/animals are operating heavy machinery without any supervision, and some cleaver children catch onto that and get their own ideas. That's not to say that there aren't safer ways for even smaller kids to help design and/or build a playground with the correct supervision. Better yet, let them build something all on their own with a set of building blocks and they can dream up anything they want. Bonus points if they work together with friends or siblings to get that teamwork feel in the process.
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November 14, 2022
Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins
Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins by James Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another counting book feature Pete the Cat. This one doesn't start off with either subtraction or addition, though. Instead, this one merely states that there are 5 pumpkins and then counts up to the total 5 as it goes through the story for each of the pumpkins and their addition leading up to Trick or Treat for Halloween.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another counting book feature Pete the Cat. This one doesn't start off with either subtraction or addition, though. Instead, this one merely states that there are 5 pumpkins and then counts up to the total 5 as it goes through the story for each of the pumpkins and their addition leading up to Trick or Treat for Halloween.
Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes
Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Pete really does seem to love his shoes. This book features another song with Pete and his shoes. Despite the early on statement that he's wearing 4, watching the pictures, he's clearly only wearing 2 later on. Where did the other 2 shoes disappear to? Unlike other books where Pete is singing about his shoes, this one does not focus on colors though. Instead, this one teaches different parts of the school campus, from the classroom, to the lunchroom, to the playground, and more. Easy to see how this one might be a hit for those early readers that are also jus starting in the school system.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Pete really does seem to love his shoes. This book features another song with Pete and his shoes. Despite the early on statement that he's wearing 4, watching the pictures, he's clearly only wearing 2 later on. Where did the other 2 shoes disappear to? Unlike other books where Pete is singing about his shoes, this one does not focus on colors though. Instead, this one teaches different parts of the school campus, from the classroom, to the lunchroom, to the playground, and more. Easy to see how this one might be a hit for those early readers that are also jus starting in the school system.
Pete the Cat: The Missing Cupcakes
Pete the Cat: The Missing Cupcakes by Kimberly Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is another version of a simple and rhyming subtraction story while also teaching a good lesson to kids (in this case to not take something that isn't theirs and to share with others mainly). Unlike most of the other stories where the numbers change by just one, this one goes by twos as the cupcakes disappear and they try to find the culprit before their cupcake party has no cupcakes.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is another version of a simple and rhyming subtraction story while also teaching a good lesson to kids (in this case to not take something that isn't theirs and to share with others mainly). Unlike most of the other stories where the numbers change by just one, this one goes by twos as the cupcakes disappear and they try to find the culprit before their cupcake party has no cupcakes.
Pete the Cat: His Four Groovy Buttons
Pete the Cat: His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another simple story teaching both subtraction this time, along with the ever present story of looking for the positive and rolling along with what happens. It doesn't flow very well if you're looking for a more traditional rhyme, but it's simple and cute, which makes it ideal for smaller kids learning how to read and love books early on.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another simple story teaching both subtraction this time, along with the ever present story of looking for the positive and rolling along with what happens. It doesn't flow very well if you're looking for a more traditional rhyme, but it's simple and cute, which makes it ideal for smaller kids learning how to read and love books early on.
Pete the Cat: The New Guy
Pete the Cat: The New Guy by Kimberly Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Gus has a hard time finding a way to fit in when he moves into the neighborhood with Pete and his friends. Pete doesn't give up as he walks around with Gus to help him find a way to fit in with him and his friends. Not much of a surprise given the way the story begins with Gus moving in while Pete and his old friends are "rocking to a new song" that it would be the band that is key to connecting with their new friend.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Gus has a hard time finding a way to fit in when he moves into the neighborhood with Pete and his friends. Pete doesn't give up as he walks around with Gus to help him find a way to fit in with him and his friends. Not much of a surprise given the way the story begins with Gus moving in while Pete and his old friends are "rocking to a new song" that it would be the band that is key to connecting with their new friend.
Pete the Cat: His Magic Sunglasses
Pete the Cat: His Magic Sunglasses by Kimberly Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The moral of the story is good - to always look on the bright side. A little confusing though as Pete gets the glasses from Grumpy, but then he magically still has them through his journey to meet all of his friends even after supposedly giving them to his friends to try instead. Then when he doesn't have the glasses anymore at the end, Grumpy has them once again. Apparently the glasses may be magic in more than just one way.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The moral of the story is good - to always look on the bright side. A little confusing though as Pete gets the glasses from Grumpy, but then he magically still has them through his journey to meet all of his friends even after supposedly giving them to his friends to try instead. Then when he doesn't have the glasses anymore at the end, Grumpy has them once again. Apparently the glasses may be magic in more than just one way.
Pete the Cat: Five Little Ducks
Pete the Cat: Five Little Ducks by James Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Not entirely the expected play, but similar as the traditional countdown stories go, starting with 5 little ducks until there are none left, and then returning to the whole group once again. The bonus in this version is not that Pete is sad when all of his friends are gone away, or even that they all return at the end, but that in their return, his friends have brought him a gift that they can all play with for the rest of the day.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Not entirely the expected play, but similar as the traditional countdown stories go, starting with 5 little ducks until there are none left, and then returning to the whole group once again. The bonus in this version is not that Pete is sad when all of his friends are gone away, or even that they all return at the end, but that in their return, his friends have brought him a gift that they can all play with for the rest of the day.
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This one comes with a song you can even download to sing along to, though its still a bit awkward. The idea is cute though as it teaches both colors to young children and that you can choose not to let something changing ruin your day. Most kids would get upset if their favorite new pair of shoes was "ruined" by stepping in something, let alone if they found themselves walking in something wet and usually uncomfortable, but this doesn't slow Pete the Cat down any in this book.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This one comes with a song you can even download to sing along to, though its still a bit awkward. The idea is cute though as it teaches both colors to young children and that you can choose not to let something changing ruin your day. Most kids would get upset if their favorite new pair of shoes was "ruined" by stepping in something, let alone if they found themselves walking in something wet and usually uncomfortable, but this doesn't slow Pete the Cat down any in this book.
Pete the Cat: 12 Groovy Days of Christmas
Pete the Cat: 12 Groovy Days of Christmas by Kimberly Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another cute retake on a classic children's story, this one to the 12 Days of Christmas. It doesn't flow as smoothly as some of the other rhyme adaptions have in the past, but it is still a cute idea and something that kids who are a fan of the Pete the Cat series will enjoy regardless. There was a lot of added laughter trying to fit the new rhymes to the original song and story.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another cute retake on a classic children's story, this one to the 12 Days of Christmas. It doesn't flow as smoothly as some of the other rhyme adaptions have in the past, but it is still a cute idea and something that kids who are a fan of the Pete the Cat series will enjoy regardless. There was a lot of added laughter trying to fit the new rhymes to the original song and story.
Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure
Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure by Kimberly Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a cute story of how Pete wakes up looking forward to some treats for a holiday and ends up helping out the Easter Bunny to save the holiday for everyone else instead. He makes an amusing picture as an Easter cat-bunny as he gathers his costume and the pieces he needs to make and hide a bunch of decorated eggs.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a cute story of how Pete wakes up looking forward to some treats for a holiday and ends up helping out the Easter Bunny to save the holiday for everyone else instead. He makes an amusing picture as an Easter cat-bunny as he gathers his costume and the pieces he needs to make and hide a bunch of decorated eggs.
Pete the Cat: Five Little Bunnies
Pete the Cat: Five Little Bunnies by Kimberly Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a cute version of 5 Little Monkeys done instead with Pete the Cat and bunnies instead. An easy reader for small kids that will easily recognize the rhythm of the story, though that may mean they try to use the words from the original version and don't pay as much attention to what is actually printed on the page.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a cute version of 5 Little Monkeys done instead with Pete the Cat and bunnies instead. An easy reader for small kids that will easily recognize the rhythm of the story, though that may mean they try to use the words from the original version and don't pay as much attention to what is actually printed on the page.
September 19, 2019
Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Pete the Cat has the great idea to set up a stand offering to catch a leprechaun for his friends. This doesn't exactly go as planned.... but of course, Pete learns a few things along the way. The leprechaun enjoys creating silly rhymes and taunting Pete as he is earnestly trying to help his friends. It turns out for the best, but it takes a lot of effort and a final conversation instead of those silly traps and taunts to really learn something and conclude the story.
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Pete the Cat: The Petes Go Marching
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Done to the rhythm of The Ants Go Marching, this is a cute little song story about Pete the Cat on the setting up to play a concert. Best to pay attention to the words though as otherwise you might find yourself reading (or singing) the wrong thing. The kids get a kick out of it though, and love when you read or sing the story to the original tune.
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