One of my favourite things about being a teacher is all of the great children’s literature I get to read. I love reading out loud to my students and especially enjoy seeing them fall in love with a book that I love too. I have a pile of best-loved books for each grade level I have taught (everything from preschool to Grade 5) and love discovering new titles.
Many books are best for certain age groups, but once in a while a book comes along that seems to have wide-range appeal, a book that is enjoyed by children of all ages, and speaks to them all in different ways (including the adults!)
Pete the Cat is one of those books. It is a simple story, but with lots of fun repetition, engaging illustrations and a great message.
Pete the Cat has a pair of brand new white shoes. He loves them so much that he walks around singing a song about them. But as he is walking he accidentally steps into some bright red strawberries. His brand new white shoes aren’t white anymore, they’re red! But does Pete cry? Not him! He just accepts the change and makes a new song. “I love my red shoes……”
Young kids will just enjoy the musicality of the book – especially if you also listen to the author telling the story himself! But for my seven and eight-year olds it was also a great lesson in having a positive attitude in the face of small challenges and disappointments (like not getting the tidy-up job they wanted, or the colour paper they were hoping for, or having to switch to outdoor shoes yet again) This book was read over and over (and over!) again in my classroom and it is not uncommon to hear my students walking down the hall or cleaning the classroom singing their song…..”I love to sweep the floor….” or “I love my outdoor shoes…..”
As an adult it reminds me that although I cannot control what challenges and disappointments will come my way during the course of a day, I can control how I react to them. I want to choose to just keep on going while singing my song a lot more often. It’s a much happier way to live.
Don’t you love it when you are teaching something to others, and you learn the lesson too?
Good Morning, Andrea! I love this children’s literature blog post! Thank you for sharing “Pete the Cat” with your readers! I have never heard of this book. As both a fellow primary teacher and music teacher, this book appeals to me. I’ll have to see if I could borrow it (or purchase it someday). The song that accompanies the book must be fun and catchy if your students are singing adaptations of it! I like the positive message of the book, about being resourceful and optimistic.
I have a request for a future blog post. Please create a post outlining your favourite 5 books for every age group (ie. 3 year olds, 4 year olds, 5, year olds, 6 year olds, 7 year olds, 8 year olds), with a little summary of the book and explanation of why you like it so much. I love children’s literature myself, as you remember, and am always looking for new recommended titles to save up to purchase for my personal children’s literature collection. I would really appreciate it if you would do this for me (and fellow teachers and parents who read your blog). Thank you in advance!
Happy Sunday!
P.S. I noticed that you have your post uncategorized. Maybe you want to add it to your “Teaching” and “Books” categories?
Hi Jennie,
I can’t promise a book post, but I can recommend a great blog that does. http://www.playingbythebook.net. Not only does she review children’s books, but she also has great ideas for creative activities that go along with the books as well as a list of music on a similar theme. And she is a wonderful person, too! I have even had the honour of doing a few guest posts on her blog.
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I really enjoyed reading your blog about Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes. The idea of staying positive was something I wanted to share with children and for myself. I love hearing this being appreciated by teachers as well. Thank you for blogging about Pete the Cat I Love My White. Thank you for being a dedicated educator for children. Be Well, Eric Litwin (author of Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes)