Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach

Pete the Cat: I Can Read!

by James Dean

Pete the Cat, coolest kitty ever, is ready for another adventure!

In Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach, Pete is spending the day at the seashore. He has fun collecting shells and building a sand castle. But the beach is very hot. There is a whole ocean for Pete to cool off in, but it looks scary. Pete s brother, Bob, offers to teach Pete to surf. Will that be enough to help Pete get over his fear of the water?

Pete at the Beach is a My First I Can Read book. It is designed to excite and engage beginning readers. Reading aloud to a child is the first step to helping a kid become a great reader.

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Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Cats, Fiction, Summer, Kids

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 21, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

James Dean is the original creator and illustrator of Pete the Cat. He is a self-taught artist originally from Fort Payne, Alabama. His passion for drawing became apparent at a young age, and as a child, you could find James drawing his favorite characters like Snoopy and Yogi Bear.

James earned his degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University and went on to work for Georgia Power for a number of years. Eventually, he was called to pursue his art full- time and began selling his work at art festivals around the Southeast. It was during this time that he began creating paintings and drawing of his cat, Pete.The little blue cat showed up as a character in James’s artwork around 1999 and has been a permanent fixture ever since.

James Dean’s art has been sold in more than ninety galleries and shops across the United States. He has devoted his paintings to Pete the Cat for fifteen years and turned his natural love for cats into his life’s work. James published his first book, The Misadventures of Pete the Cat, a history of his artwork, in 2006, and he illustrated his first self-published children’s book, Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, in 2008. There are now almost 100 published Pete the Cat titles with more coming out all the time. James is humbled every day by the success that this groovy blue cat has brought him. He says positively affecting children’s lives is his number one priority, and he is grateful to have such an amazing audience to work for.

Reviews

[Mya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It had a nice moral that tied in well at the end of the story.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete, Bob, and their mom go to the beach. Pete stays on the beach while Bob goes surfing. Eventually Pete's mom gets him into the water and before long, Bob teaches him to surf. This cute book teaches a lesson about fear!

[Lgordo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book explores the masculinization of the child through exposure to the social dichotomy of "mother / female / immature / safe" vs "brother / male / mature / exciting".

In the beginning the male/female dichotomy is established. Bob, the male archetype, goes into the water to do cool male things. Mom, the female archetype, stays on the beach. Pete, who is afraid to embrace his masculinity, stays on the beach. He is behaving as an immature child, unwilling to accept his gender identity.

At first this seems to be going well. Mother and Pete make sandcastles and play ball. While lacking the adventurousness of Bob's risk-taking behavior, these are interesting to Pete. However, deep down he feels that something is wrong. This manifests as him feeling "hot." Feeling "hot" is his manhood calling to him. Initially he denies this and insists on staying dry. But ultimately it is a woman who coaxes him into the water.

Once he gets wet, Pete is quick to embrace his masculinity. He goes from being terrified and reluctant to join Bob, to so enthusiastic that even Bob is overwhelmed and surprised. "Try again later," Bob suggests after Pete's initial attempt at surfing fails. But Pete isn't interested in a refractory period. He doesn't want to run back to the safe feminine shore. He is ready to pound that surf and he wants to do it now and all afternoon again and again!

Ultimately, Pete the Cat's Day at the Beach is a story about a child who is reluctant to graduate from an agendered childhood into a sexual adolescence. However, it cannot be avoided. Going nowhere is also going somewhere, and that dissonance eventually drives him toward maturity and embracing his destiny.

[Alys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: Easy Reader

Estimate of grade level of interest: Pre-school, Kindergarten and First Grade

Estimate of reading level:
Lexile® Measure: 140L
DRA: 16
Guided Reading: J


Brief description: Pete the cat ventures out for a day at the beach with his brother, Bob. Pete is nervous to try going into the water and surfing, but he loves collecting shells and hanging out on shore. Will Pete go in to the water and cool off?

Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book: In Easy reading books, the stories are told mainly through action and dialog. In Pete the Cat, Pete talks about what he does/sees at the beach in this story (dialog) and there are color illustrations on each page showing Pete "in action" when he tries surfing, collects shells, etc. Like picture books, easy readers have pictures/illustrations, but pictures may be smaller and text may take more space in the book. In this book there are 4-5 sentences per page vs in a picture book there may only be one, allowing for more space for the illustrations.

In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience? Because children have probably experienced the Pete the Cat picture books series before, these books will feel familiar and kids will want to read more about Pete. I believe this serves its audience well because the text features sight words/trick words that students of this age will have practiced.

Awards if any: None

Links to published reviews from professional sources e.g. ALA, Booklist, Kirkus, SLJ, etc. if any:http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Cat-Beach-... (scroll to mid/bottom screen and there is one from Library School Journal)

[Ashley Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dean, J. (2013). Pete the cat: pete at the beach. New York: HarpersCollins.

School Library Journal, 2013.

I Can Read

Pete the Cat is on a hot, summer day trip to the beach with his mom and brother, Bob. He does as many activities as possible with his mom on land while burning up and watching Bob surf the great big waves. Pete gets a taste of relief when he wades in the cool water, and convinces himself to go further and further into the water. Even though Pete is scared of the water, Bob teaches him to surf after a few tries, Pete gets the hang of it. The images of the beach are playful and bright, depicting the waves exactly as you would imagine Pete sees them. This book was cute, but also gets across a good message - "It is okay to be afraid. But it is more fun to surf," (p. 32). I think this book would be useful in a K-2 classroom when teaching about trying new things, overcoming fears, and challenging yourself.

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think I'd like the Pete the Cat books as much as I do, but they're engaging and they address some social emotional aspects that are crucial for young readers. This is a really cute book with a fun moral about trying things that can be scary, and of the Pete the Cat books it's definitely one I enjoy more than some of the others that I've read.

Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books

[Joella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, this one is better than the other Pete the Cat easy readers. But it is still not as wonderful as the picture books. At least there is hope that they won't always be somewhat horrid...but I do wish that the things I loved about the picture books were still in the easy readers. Musical refrains anyone?

[morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a silly goose

[Celia Buell]

I didn't think I'd like the Pete the Cat books as much as I do, but they're engaging and they address some social emotional aspects that are crucial for young readers.

In particular, this one is fun because it features Pete's family. He and his mother and brother go to the beach, and Pete keeps making up excuses for why he doesn't want to go in the water or go surfing with his brother Bob (for whom surfing is a favorite pastime). Young readers gradually figure out that Pete is scared to go in the water.

This gradual realization is useful for kids, because it can help them connect to their own experiences. Surely every kid has come up with reason after reason to put off doing the things that scare them. But eventually, Bob and their mother convince Pete to try the water and surfing... and he has a ton of fun!

This is a really cute book with a fun moral, and of the Pete the Cat books it's definitely one I enjoy over some of the others that I've read.

[Brittney]

Text to teaching connection:
This book was about a character being afraid of the water to him getting into the water and feeling comfortable. I would use this book as a teaching lesson by supporting and encouraging a person to face their fears or at least take it step by step. Once a person overcomes something that they are afraid of they have this new feeling of achieving at anything. I would use this in a classroom setting so for children I would teach them ways to fear tests, or getting up to present in front of the classroom. This is just simply giving them fun ways to study and prepare for material.

[Nadiah Razali · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute short story for children :)

[vivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

actual line from the book "pete is very, very hot"
and I couldn't agree more

[Chevy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loves this book!

She is an upcoming second grader and she loves Pete the Cat! This is a great book for beginner readers.

[Maddie Bobal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing reading done by Liv.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not usually a huge fan of Pete the Cat, but this one was all right.

[Slayermel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete the cat goes to the Beach with his Mother and Brother Bob. His brother Bob loves to surf and spends his time in the cool refreshing water. Pete is so hot but can't seem to get more than his feet wet, until his brother convinces him to try surfing.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book for four year old.

[Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Checked this out via the library on my Kindle. I got it to read to my daughter. It's a fun read. I feel like I could make a book like this with my drawing skills. I just might.

[Bookbag_Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

-SEAS THE DAY!
-Don't Be Afraid To Leave The Safety Of The Shore.
-Don't Be Afraid To Fail. Be Afraid Not To Try.
-Never Trust Your Fears. They Don't Know Your Strength.
-Without Fear There Cannot Be Courage.
-An Ocean Breeze Puts the Mind To Ease.

TRAVELED TO // The Beach
MET ALONG THE WAY // Pete The Cat - Brother Bob - Mother Cat -

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a hot day so Pete’s mother is taking Pete and his brother, Bob, to the beach. Bob wants to surf and suggests they both go into the water, but Pete says, “Maybe later.”

Instead of going in the water, Pete builds a sandcastle, but a big wave rolls over it and the castle is gone. So Pete takes a walk with his mother; they find seashells, they see a crab. Pete’s feet get wet; the water makes them feel cool, but the rest of Pete is hot.

It is time for lunch. Bob is wet and cool, but Pete is hot. He eats his sandwich and drinks his lemonade. Pete asks Bob to play ball, but Bob wants to go surfing again, so Pete plays catch with his mom.

What will Pete do when his mom says they should get their feet wet in the water?

=========

In this story, young children will see that it’s okay to be afraid and will see Pete dealing with his fear of going into the water.

This I Can Read book uses basic language, word repetition, and illustrations to help young emergent readers find success in reading. As with all My First books in this series, this is a book designed for shared reading with the young reader and an adult.

Delightful illustrations, a well-known and beloved character young readers will instantly recognize, and a clever story all work together to make this a perfect early reader selection.

Highly recommended, especially for fans of Pete the Cat.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's Pete the Cat with a whole new look! He's ditched his school shoes and shirt with the groovy buttons for some swim trunks. Why? It's all about Pete's adventures at the beach. Pete goes with his mom and brother, so everyone is taking in a new setting of sun, sand, and water. Since most cats dislike water, you can bet it's fun to see how Pete reacts to being at the beach.

The colorful pictures, complete, realistic plot, repetition, and child-friendly message make this an enjoyable read, but this Pete the Cat book seems to take a different turn than other Pete the Cat books. Others, like Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons or Pete the Cat Play Ball show Pete is situations in which he stays optimistic and does his best to have when faced with a challenge, but in Pete at the Beach, Pete hesitates. Yes, Pete has fun in the end, but it would be nice to see Pete maintain the fun-loving personality that he has always had throughout this book as well. Don't get me wrong, this is a book children will enjoy and be able to relate to when they experience the beach for the first time.

[Gina Liberati]

Pete the cat. as always brings children on another adventure to learn and experience new things. Pete goes to the beach with his mom and brother, where he has fun on the sand, but is scared to go into the water. Pete's brother offers to teach him about surfing, which Pete agrees to and he learns to ride the waves. This book has not received any awards, but would be appropriate for ages Pre-K- 1st grade. This book can be a great addition to themes about the ocean, conquering fears, seasons, summer trying new things, and helping others. This could be an opportunity fr scaffolding as children remember times that they helped someone or when they were afraid of trying something new. This is also an "easy reader" where children can try to read on their own in K-1st and is also avaialble on audio book.

[Debi Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this a five star book? If your first grade granddaughter calls you by video phone and reads it aloud to you for her school's annual Read-A-Thon, it is!

She also read three other Pete the Cat books to me. She has to read 600 pages by April 2nd and she wants to read 1000 pages so she can win the competition.

She doesn't know it, but if she reads 1000 pages--or even the minimum 600 pages--she will win the pleasure and skills of growing as a reader.

She'll call me again tomorrow night. :)

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I didn't find this all that entertaining. The kiddo thought it was too long, and told me there were too many words. he's a first grader, and is reading at grade level. He did understand that the message here was that sometimes you have to be brave so you can learn to do something new and, maybe, pretty fun. So it as still a good book for kids needing to work on comprehension. But I was almost as bored as he was. I am hesitant to pick up another Pete the Cat reader...

[Genny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete the Cat is a family favorite, and his trip to the beach didn't fail to please. Although Pete never actually says that he is afraid of the water is very easy to tell, even for an early reader what is going on in Pete's head. The last page might be one of my new favorite mottoes, "It is okay to be afraid. But it's more fun to surf!"

[Brandi Conico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy (11 months) and I read this together. It kept her attention. Overall the storyline of facing fears is fine. It’s appropriate for a young child. It could’ve been developed a little bit more, because I didn’t know that was the point of the story until the very end, but it was nice enough. No real complaints, just your typical kid book.

[Kimberly Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete and his family go to the beach. Pete's brother try to get him into the water but Pete is not so sure at first. He finally decides to try surfing and finds he loves it. Now he does not want to get out of the water. Good book for preschool through 3rd grade.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has a story that moves along nicely for this level of reading. And a day at the beach is always fun to read about ... it just makes you want to go!

Reading Level: 1st - 3rd grades

Cleanliness: the message at the end is, "It is okay to be afraid. But it is more fun to surf!"

[Annie Hermsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was one of my favorite books to read in my preschool classroom. I thought this book had a great plot line and kept the kids on their feet while reading this story. Lastly this book will be in my library of my classroom.

[Tami · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not like this book at all anymore. She wants to say to book tastes and smells like dirt but she has not eaten the book. She also says she doesn't have any crayons in this apartment. 🇺🇸HOPE this book was ok and Hope liked it in the past - she seems done with this one