Pete Makes a Mistake (I Like to Read) by Emily Arnold McCully

I Like to Read

by Emily Arnold McCully

Pete, a charming but absentminded pig, forgets an important favor for his sister in this sweet easy reader about forgiveness.

Pete's sister Rose is having a party. She promises Pete some cake if he will deliver invitations to her friends Nell, Don and Gert. What a good deal for Pete! Pete brings Nell and Don their notes, but he gets distracted and forgets all about Gert. On the day of the party, Pete's mistake causes many hurt feelings. Can Pete save the party—and will he still get cake?

A companion to PETE WON'T EAT: An I Like to Read® Book.

About the Series

I Like to Read® books are picture books written and illustrated so that even the newest reader can enjoy a satisfying, quality literary experience. The books in the series are written at kindergarten and early first grade reading levels.
"These books deftly combine text and art to create a positive experience for new readers."—School Library Journal

"This series dares to make entertaining reads from short texts and familiar vocabulary"—Kirkus Reviews

"Each one makes the hard world of learning to read enough fun to encourage children at this critical developmental moment to try another one."—Vicky Smith, Children's and YA Editor at Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship

Mass Market Paperback

First published July 27, 2015

About the author

Emily Arnold McCully received the Caldecott Medal for Mirette on the High Wire. The illustrator of more than 40 books for young readers, she divides her time between Chatham, New York, and New York City.

Reviews

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really cute story. It shows children the effects your actions can have on somebody else. The story follows Pete and Rose. Rose is having a party and ask her brother Pete to bring invitations to her friends. Pete gets distracted by his friends and forgets to give out one of the invitations. Everyone shows up to Rose's party, except for Gert, who never received her invitation. Gert was sad when she saw her friends had a party and didn't invite her. Rose and her friends were sad that Kurt never showed up for the party. Pete finally realize his mistake and rushed to fix it. The watercolor illustrations are very well done. The drawings are simple but they give just the right amount to help the reader understand what's going on in the story.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl is having a party. She asks Pete to deliver her invitations. He does, except for the last one to Gert. He forgets when he gets distracted by friends. They wonder why Gert hasn't come and go off to look for her. Meanwhile, Gert comes looking for her friends and think they have thrown a party and not invited her. She is sad. Then Pete shows up and apologizes and now that all the friends are together, they can have their party. And cake too!

[Therese Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

And gets rewarded for it… A thumbs down from Grandma.

Pigs and a birthday party! A thumbs up from Parker!

[Clare Rossetter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple story of a party. The problem is that not all the invitations get delivered. Peter gets distracted and does not deliver the last invitation. Pete in not a very lovable character. He wants to receive something for everything he does, so it is kind of hard to overlook his mistake. Everything is about him-his wants and what he wants to do comes first. The fact that Gert arrives at the party while they are all out looking for her is never fully explained. The text and art work are simple and children will enjoy the story. It is also one they can read on their own as the words used to tell the story are simple and the sentences are not long.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh no! Pete Pig has made a big mistake. His sister, Rose, is having a party. Pete was charged with delivering the invitations, but he got caught up in a ball game and forgot the last one. Now misunderstandings abound. Rose thinks a friend doesn't wish to come to her party. The friend thinks she was not invited. Only Pete's apology can save the day. This is another easy-reader Pete story with the award-winning author's friendly, bright watercolor illustrations. Those just learning to read will find it a good choice.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this "I Like to Read" book for beginning readers, Pete gets distracted by a baseball game and forgets to bring his sister Rose's party invitation to Gert. When Nell and Don show up, they cannot figure out where their other friend is. She, in turn, is hurt when she thinks she hasn't been invited. The pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations are visually appealing, and the simple story will attract children who are just learning to read since they will find it easy to relate to the story and Gert's feelings of being left out inadvertently.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Birthday parties can be so much fun but when an invitation is not properly delivered it can be a source of confusion, and sometimes sad feelings. Pete delivers most of the notes to Rose’s friends but he gets distracted. Gert discovers she’s missing a party while Rose and friends try to find her. This short little story can be used to help explain how easily a small mistake could potentially cause a big problem. The colorful line drawings really show some fun expressions as this story unfolds. It all works out in the end when everyone meets up for cake at the party.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pete's sister asks him to run an errand, but he gets distracted and goofs it up.
The confusion gets sorted out and they lived happily ever after.

Unfortunately, this book just doesn't go into enough detail - even for the Very Small Ones. Were Gert's feelings hurt? We don't know - she only states the facts (as she knows them) with no emotion behind them. Pete says he's sorry, but is he? There don't seem to be any consequences.

[Yvonne Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The I Like to Read books are ideal books for classroom libraries. Pete Makes a Mistake can be used with young readers to help them develop an understanding of character traits by referring to what characters say and do, predicting and inferring the message the story is teaching the reader. When Pete forgets to deliver one invitation for a party, feelings are hurt. But since Pete admits his mistake and does the right thing, all the friends can share in a fun afternoon.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this beginning reader, Pete forgets the errand he was sent on by his sister, but all ends up well in the end. The vocabulary isn't mirrored enough to be useful to be useful as a true beginning reader and the conflict was quite bland. A mediocre read. Not recommended.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Absentminded pig forgets to invite a friend to his party.

[Jason]

Pete shouldn't get cake, because he demanded a fee and then didn't hold up his end of the contract. I guess that's why grace is important. Maybe he'll learn not to be so demanding next time.