Pete The Cat

Title:  Pete the Cat books

Author:  Eric Litwin

Location:  JE Litwin

Level:  3-6 years old

Pete the cat is one cool cat with a motto of , "It's all good.", how could he not be, he's soo cute.  Pete also likes to sing and you can download the songs to go with the books at the publisher's website.  Kids love Pete and his songs.  I do to.

In the first book Pete has new shoes that keep changing colors as he steps in different things.  But does Pete get mad- no way.  In Rockin his school shoes Pete learns about different areas of the school when he wears his new school shoes.  His four groovy buttons just don't want to stay on his shirt.  Of course, Pete doesn't get mad.  He just sings a song.  Just as Pete thinks he has lost his last button he finds one more.  This one has a cute ending.  Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all just sang a song instead of getting mad.

Bottom Line:  The Pete the Cat books by Eric Litwin feature Pete of course. He's one cool cat who likes to sing.  The illustrations are mostly bright primary colors.  The songs are catchy and sure to be sung again by your little ones.  I've found children 2-7 enjoy Pete books.

Read Next:  If you like Pete you might want to try Splat the Cat books by  Rob Scotton.

Chester's Masterpiece

Title:  Chester's Masterpiece
Author:  Melanie Watt
Reading Level:  Picture Book
Location:  JE WATT

Chester is back with his fat red marker! After stealing author Melanie Watt's art supplies and eating her computer mouse (which, by the way, tastes like chicken), Chester decides that he will write a better story than Watt ever could. In his first attempt at storytelling, Chester steals the lines from a familiar Christmas poem with a few additions of his own. Watt decides to inform Chester of his mistakes and attempts to assist him in his writing venture through post-it notes. After learning what elements make up a story, Chester makes a couple interesting attempts and gloats until his marker finally runs out of ink.

This humorous installment in the Chester series goes beyond the predecessors by having Chester write most of the narrative. A real treat the continuation of having Chester writing the inside flaps of the book cover and copyright page. His mischievous nature comes out in the narrative and also in his little drawings. What makes this series particularly interesting is the artistic style. Watt uses a combination of 3D-Computer, pencil, and watercolor that makes it a feast for the eyes. Many of the pages consist of lined paper where Chester, who is done in watercolor, writes with his red marker. The author's voice is made apparent by using post-it notes written in pencil usually scolding Chester.

Bottom Line:  All of the Chester books are just so much fun to read and this one is no exception.  This is a  great story to help teach preschool to second grade about elements of a story and still have fun doing it.  Even if you are a child at heart, you will love this book and Watt's storytelling.