08/01/2019

Toddler-PreS–Pete the Kitty—a preschool spin-off of the popular button-popping, shoe-soiling cat—licks his first day of school with style. What should he take to school? Pencils, paintbrush, and a groovy rocket backpack he picked out himself. Pete knows what to do when he gets on the bus. His brother asks: "'Are you nervous?' 'No,' says Pete. 'I'm cool.'" At school, Pete loves reading, singing, and painting. When it's time to go home, Pete doesn't want to leave. Pete loves preschool. Flat illustrations are the Deans' signature style. Vibrant colors draw attention, while the irregular fill and thin black outlines feel relaxed and childlike. Big-eyed Pete and his classmates look similar to the popular big-eye plushies. The illustrated content clearly matches the narrated text. The text reads like a voice-over and describes the action and Pete's own thoughts and feelings. Tots headed for their first day of preschool will find this straightforward approach accessible and encouraging. Pete is confident on his first day and embarks with a can-do attitude. While touching only briefly on the activities a new preschooler may encounter, Pete's mind-set is one for youngsters to emulate. VERDICT This title is an excellent choice for a new crop of Pete the Cat fans to appreciate.—Richelle Rose, Kenton County Public Library, KY

2019-07-24
The popular character enjoys storytime, painting, and a snack on the very first day of preschool.

The younger incarnation of Pete the Cat packs his backpack that he picked out from the store himself, gets a snack from his mom, and rides the school bus with his big brother, Bob (who isn't much bigger than Pete, sizewise). At school, Pete meets his stylish teacher, Mrs. Lopez, and fellow feline classmates while keeping his signature cool. The day ends with Pete declaring: "Preschool is awesome! Pete loves everything!" James Dean's big-eyed cats populate the simply drawn scenes that look as though they were painted in preschool-esque fashion with thick swaths of tempera. At a couple of moments (when he eats his banana and declares it tasty and when he sings along) his customarily expressionless face actually breaks into a smile. Kimberly Dean's text is uninspired, but it's in sync with the upbeat tone of the series. Pete's preschool experience, while not particularly realistic, is a highly positive one; refreshingly, there is no trace of the separation anxiety or anxiousness found in many first-day-of-school books.

Likely to be popular with young Pete the Cat fans and parents seeking a gentle introduction to preschool. (Board book. 2-4)