Oh Pete the Cat, don’t we all just love him to bits? In this first installment of the Pete saga, Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, (find at your local library or purchase from Amazon) written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean, our favorite cool cat is walking along in his fancy white shoes, singing a groovy song, and feeling all good.

But then, oh no, Pete steps in a pile of strawberries! Now what color are those white shoes? Does Pete cry? Goodness, no! Pete doesn’t cry over the fact his once-white shoes are now red, he embraces the change — and alters his song to match. “I love my red shoes, I love my red shoes.”

Pete’s adventure leads him to step in a number of colorful items, until he washes clean his shoes at the end.

We love this story for 3s and older 2s

Watch Litwin and Dean read the story and sing Pete’s groovy song in this Youtube video.

*Downloadable/printable copy of lesson plan below

(Below please find a list of reading comprehension questions and vocabulary words. This list is not exhaustive, and it may spark additional questions from your kiddos. As always, we recommend that you scaffold based on your age group and the wigglies of your kiddos.)

Reading comprehension questions:

Before reading: Show the cover. What do you think this story is about? Pete the Cat is the main character of our story. What is a “character” in a story? How about a “main character”? What is Pete the Cat wearing? Do cats usually wear shoes? What color are his shoes?

After reading title: Have you ever had white shoes? Do white shoes usually stay nice and white? What usually happens to white shoes? How do you think Pete feels about his white shoes?

As you read: Allow time for the children to answer the questions that are posed as part of the story. Soon they will be answering and singing along with Pete.

After reading: Why don’t you think Pete cried about his shoes changing colors? What do you think Pete is trying to tell us with this story?

Vocabulary:

• character
• main character
• brand new
• cool
• puddle
• moral

Enrichment Activities:

Small Group/Large Group: Prekinders offers this free Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes color and matching activity.

Art: Books And Giggles features a tutorial of how to make Pete the Cat button slime.

Art Projects For Kids has a free downloadable Directed Drawing Activity for drawing Pete the Cat. Check it out here.