Module 6: Picture Books
“I guess it simply goes to show that stuff will come, and stuff will go. But do we cry? Goodness, NO! We keep on singing.” Pete the Cat, James Dean
The grooviest cat is back, but this time he is losing his buttons. A book about subtraction that includes a groovy song too. Full of big bright illustrations and lots of repetition and rhyming. A book kids will be reading over and over and a good teacher resource to add to their collection.
Reference:
Dean, J. (2012). Pete the Cat. New York, N.Y. Harper Collins.
Impressions:
Impressions:
Pete the Cat books are very popular among kids, and this one might be the best one. The subtraction song that goes with the book is a catchy tune that kids will be singing over and over. The illustrations are bright, and this cat has the perfect attitude for a cat and kids, simply put, "the cool factor".The repetitive nature of the text makes it a great book for toddlers and preschoolers, and I love how the story incorporates basic math skills too! I was not all that familiar with Pete the Cat, but now I understand the influence this beat neck cat has on the teaching world. This is a book that will be a part of a core collection. Make sure you get a copy to keep in your personal library, the Groovy Buttons song is kind of like the Everything is Awsome song, once it gets in your head you'll never get it out.
Professional Review:
In his third outing Pete the Cat follows the pattern of his previous appearances: Despite repeated wardrobe malfunctions, he maintains his upbeat attitude and bouncy charm. This time around the focus is on the buttons on Pete’s favorite shirt, instead of his shoes, and there’s even a bit of math involved. Still, for readers who have met Pete, previously there’s not much here that’s new. Pete moves from his cozy chair to a skateboard to the street outside to a surfboard on top of an old-style Volkswagen Beetle. In each spot, for no apparent reason, one button pops off. The repeated refrain asks “Did Pete cry?” and answers “Goodness, no! Buttons come, and buttons go.” As a song, it’s likely perky but read aloud, the text can seem tedious and overlong. Still, the brightly colored, childlike paintings and playful typography should keep kids’ attention, and some will also enjoy identifying the large numerals as they count backward from four to zero. A final twist finds Pete admiring his bellybutton, which will always be with him unlike the “stuff” that “will come and…go,” offering the option of a mildly anti-consumerist message for parents who choose to emphasize it.
Fans will want to visit the publisher’s website to check out the extras, while newcomers will either do the same or let Pete go, depending on their taste. (Picture book. 3-7)
Kirkus Reviews (2012) [Review for Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons By James Dean], Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/eric-litwin/pete-cat-and-his-four-groovy-buttons/
Library Uses:
The book can be used as a part of a storytime and a game played after the book is read. Each player gets one shirt and places four buttons on top of the shirt. We would sing the song with the kids and remove each button with the song. They can take the little game home after storytime is over.
Professional Review:
In his third outing Pete the Cat follows the pattern of his previous appearances: Despite repeated wardrobe malfunctions, he maintains his upbeat attitude and bouncy charm. This time around the focus is on the buttons on Pete’s favorite shirt, instead of his shoes, and there’s even a bit of math involved. Still, for readers who have met Pete, previously there’s not much here that’s new. Pete moves from his cozy chair to a skateboard to the street outside to a surfboard on top of an old-style Volkswagen Beetle. In each spot, for no apparent reason, one button pops off. The repeated refrain asks “Did Pete cry?” and answers “Goodness, no! Buttons come, and buttons go.” As a song, it’s likely perky but read aloud, the text can seem tedious and overlong. Still, the brightly colored, childlike paintings and playful typography should keep kids’ attention, and some will also enjoy identifying the large numerals as they count backward from four to zero. A final twist finds Pete admiring his bellybutton, which will always be with him unlike the “stuff” that “will come and…go,” offering the option of a mildly anti-consumerist message for parents who choose to emphasize it.
Fans will want to visit the publisher’s website to check out the extras, while newcomers will either do the same or let Pete go, depending on their taste. (Picture book. 3-7)
Kirkus Reviews (2012) [Review for Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons By James Dean], Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/eric-litwin/pete-cat-and-his-four-groovy-buttons/
Library Uses:
The book can be used as a part of a storytime and a game played after the book is read. Each player gets one shirt and places four buttons on top of the shirt. We would sing the song with the kids and remove each button with the song. They can take the little game home after storytime is over.
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