Fiction - Animals, Children - Fiction & Literature

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

Name: Pete the Cat Saves Christmas
Author: Eric Litwin
ISBN: 9780062110626

by Eric Litwin, James Dean

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Overview

'Twas the day before Christmas and Santa was ill.
In the cold winter wind he had caught a bad chill.
Will Christmas be canceled? Will it come to that?
"Never!" cried Santa.
"Let's call Pete the Cat!"

In this rockin' new spin on the traditional tale The Night Before Christmas, Pete the Cat proves that giving your all in the spirit of Christmas is the totally groovy thing to do.

About the Author, Eric Litwin

Eric Litwinis a guitar-strumming, song-singing, banjo-picking, tale-telling, song-writing, national-award-winning, music-producing, fun, folksy type of guy. He loves to blend song and story together and is inspired by the depth and simplicity of folk songs and folktales. Eric is a popular performer, delighting thousands of children and families every year. He has recorded two award-winning children's music CDs.

James Dean's art has been sold in more than ninety galleries and shops across the United States. He has devoted his paintings to Pete the Cat for ten years and has turned his natural love for cats into his life's work. James published his first adult book, The Misadventures of Pete the Cat, a history of his artwork, in 2006. He illustrated his first self-published children's book, Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, in 2008, and the follow-up book, Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, in 2011. James lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, four cats, and one dog.

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Editorials

From Barnes & Noble

After Santa falls sick from a winter chill, all Christmas gift-giving slides into peril. But Santa knows who to call to save the day: Pete the Cat, of course! With its cute illustrations and clever, memorable rhymes, this picture book evokes chuckles and the holiday spirit.

Publishers Weekly

When Santa falls ill just before Christmas, who’s the first number on his speed dial? Pete the Cat, of course. Standing on his surfboard, staring out with the deadpan expression readers will recognize from his previous books, Pete agrees to make Santa’s Christmas Eve deliveries; before long the reindeer are strapped to Pete’s red minibus (“Then the minibus flew, just like in a movie./ Pete the Cat cried, ‘This is totally groovy!’ ”). Despite Pete’s ongoing anxieties about being too small for the job, there aren’t any hiccups along the way, making for a gently off-kilter but fairly straightforward story. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Children's Literature

On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus has a fever and does not feel well enough to deliver the toys to the children. He sends an urgent call for help to Pete the Cat who is enjoying the sun and surf in Key West. Pete responds to Santa's request and drives his van to the North Pole where the presents wait to be packed. With the reindeer ready to tow the van, Pete makes the deliveries at each and every house in time for Christmas. In the repeated words of Pete, "Give it your all, give it your all. At Christmas we give, so give it your all." Children who are familiar with the "Pete the Cat" stories will probably join in on the repeated lines. The illustrations are eye-catching with the rich, bright colors. Check the publisher, author, and illustrator's web sites for additional information. Dean is the creator of "Pete the Cat." There are YouTube uploads of the "Pete the Cat" story and music. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung

Kirkus Reviews

He's back! That wildly popular cat steps in to save Christmas in the nick of time when Santa Cat gets sick. Santa calls Pete, who is vacationing in Key West, and the helpful cat hops in his magically powered red van with his friend, a little yellow bird. Together they travel to the North Pole, where they hitch up the reindeer and load up the Christmas toys for delivery. Pete sings a new holiday song about giving: "although I am small, / at Christmas we give, so I'll give it my all." (As with the other Pete stories, the song and the story are available for download on the publisher's website.) Pete, the yellow bird and the reindeer get all the toys delivered by Christmas morning, and when they return to the North Pole, they are met with cheers and a banner of thanks from Santa, the elves and the townsfolk. In the bottom corner of the final page, the yellow bird waits with a tiny package for Pete. The vibrant illustrations and the simple story create a satisfying whole, complemented by the song, but kids may need help understanding the expression "give it your all," and they may also wonder why Pete looks perpetually bored. But hey, it's all good. Keep movin' and groovin', Pete. You're one hip cat. (Picture book. 3-8)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1—With a rhythmic nod to "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," this book is sure to become a favorite. It's Christmas Eve and Santa is ill, so he asks Pete to deliver the presents. "Road trip!" cries the cat in his characteristically groovy way as he hops in his minibus. Even though he is quite small, the oh-so-cool feline gives it his all and gets the job done. Watercolor, acrylic, and ink illustrations in bright holiday colors are fresh and fun, while a singsong refrain focuses on giving to others. Don't miss Pete in a Santa hat driving his van past the moon pulled by eight reindeer: "Then the minibus flew, just like in a movie. Pete the Cat cried, 'This is totally groovy!'" Indeed it is.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library