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Pete the Cat
Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map: A Swashbuckling Adventure for Kids
New York Times bestselling author and artist James Dean brings us a fun, epic sea adventure with Captain Pete in Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map!
When Captain Pete discovers a treasure map, he and his crew are ready to set out and sail the seas to find the buried gold and jewels. But they weren’t expecting to find a giant sea monster along the way!
Don't miss Pete's other storybook adventures, including Pete the Construction Destruction, Pete the Cave-cat Pete, Pete the Out of This World, Pete the Robo-Pete, and more!
When Captain Pete discovers a treasure map, he and his crew are ready to set out and sail the seas to find the buried gold and jewels. But they weren’t expecting to find a giant sea monster along the way!
Don't miss Pete's other storybook adventures, including Pete the Construction Destruction, Pete the Cave-cat Pete, Pete the Out of This World, Pete the Robo-Pete, and more!
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
1809 people are currently reading
943 people want to read
About the author
James Dean
232 books250 followersLibrarian 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
September 14, 2021
Read for my toddler’s bedtime. Pete the cat has a ship and he’s taking his crew on an adventure. A treasure map was delivered to him. In the ocean, he ran into trouble but with Pete’s quick thinking, trouble were solved. Then land arrived and they were greeted with treasures.
Read from kindle unlimited.
Read from kindle unlimited.
December 3, 2019
Cute
Easy for a new reader to read and sound out plenty of the words. It was also a good one because my son likes pirates!
Easy for a new reader to read and sound out plenty of the words. It was also a good one because my son likes pirates!
August 6, 2020
Pete the Cat is always a fun time. I remember reading it with elementary kids I tutored through a high school program, and I know it's popular with children.
What also helped was that we're reading Treasure Island as well, so this tied in nicely with the idea of treasure hunting and ships, and I was able to ask questions that related to both books. I hope this book might have furthered their understanding of the much longer Treasure Island and some of the terms used there as well.
This book was very cute and I'm glad it's free on Amazon Prime. I'll need to remember to look at Prime for more popular kids' books, as I already have a student account and don't use it enough. This was a good find.
What also helped was that we're reading Treasure Island as well, so this tied in nicely with the idea of treasure hunting and ships, and I was able to ask questions that related to both books. I hope this book might have furthered their understanding of the much longer Treasure Island and some of the terms used there as well.
This book was very cute and I'm glad it's free on Amazon Prime. I'll need to remember to look at Prime for more popular kids' books, as I already have a student account and don't use it enough. This was a good find.
March 13, 2018
I really enjoyed this Pete the Cat book. I love the messages that are portrayed through the characters' actions, thoughts, & feelings.
March 21, 2020
In the last 2 days, I have read nine (yep 9) Pete the Cat books. These books are perfect for grands and great-grands to read to young children. The underlying value system seems to be of some cool cars, 1960s-70s. The color scheme fits in with the cool cat theme--mostly cool colors with warm undertones. The warm undertones are attractive.
This treasure map book with it's more complicated storyline is busy in its graphics. I wish that James Dean had written a simplified version of his story. The huge octopus/sea monster was under-utilized and the music-making over-utilized. This is pass for me.
This treasure map book with it's more complicated storyline is busy in its graphics. I wish that James Dean had written a simplified version of his story. The huge octopus/sea monster was under-utilized and the music-making over-utilized. This is pass for me.
December 30, 2018
My 8 year old son enjoyed reading it.
Love all Pete the Cat books. This one is cute too and easy to read for my 8 year old.
Love all Pete the Cat books. This one is cute too and easy to read for my 8 year old.
January 10, 2019
Awesome book!!!
Easy to understand and to read. My child really enjoyed this pirate story. Can't wait to read another one tomorrow.
Easy to understand and to read. My child really enjoyed this pirate story. Can't wait to read another one tomorrow.
August 22, 2019
Nice short story for kids entertains them verywell
my son loved it, enjoyed his reading time plus the pictures keeps kids interested, I liked it too, Found a nice thing to read
my son loved it, enjoyed his reading time plus the pictures keeps kids interested, I liked it too, Found a nice thing to read
February 19, 2021
Julianna and I read this tonight. She votes a 5! She liked it. I thought it was cute but I've read funnier Pete the Cat books with her. ;-)
November 17, 2019
This is a cute story about Pete and his friends following a map to a treasure island and encounter a sea "monster" (an octopus) who likes to play the drums.
The illustrations are vivid and the story is entertaining and short enough to hold a child's attention.
The illustrations are vivid and the story is entertaining and short enough to hold a child's attention.
August 4, 2025
Not the best story, not the best art. Cool colors though. I guess some kids might like it.
August 24, 2024
Pete the Cat is the best. I didn't know there was a pirate story in the collection. My niece loved this one.
September 10, 2018
My 4 and 7 year old love these books!
My 4 and 7 year old both love all of these books! They were so excited to see this newest one.
My 4 and 7 year old both love all of these books! They were so excited to see this newest one.
September 26, 2024
Pete the Cat and the Treasure map by James Dean is a short picture book about Pete and the rest of his crew sailing the sea. The crew are on the boat when a parrot flies over to them and gives them a map that leads to treasure. Throughout the story they face challenges like sea creatures and storms creating big waves. The main character, Pete, is strong, courageous, and smart. We see this when they encounter a sea creature. Instead of being scared like the rest of the crew, Pete decides to befriend the creature and play music for it. This shows how courageous he is. The theme of this book is to stay on course and look at challenges with a different perspective. The book is written in a way to make the reader feel like they aren’t going to find the treasure, but then they find a way to get through the obstacle and continue their journey. I really like this book because when I was younger my mom read this book to me a lot therefore, when I reread it for the first time in multiple years it made me think back and remember all the memories from when I was younger. Overall this book is a short and intriguing book. I recommend anyone who likes to read more childish books to read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2018
Summary
Pete the Cat is a captain on a pirate ship. His friends join him on an adventure for pirate treasure. They sail the ocean when a sea monster comes. At first, the sea monster seems scary. Pete the Cat plays his guitar and they find out that he is not a scary sea monster, he's actually an awesome sea drummer! The awesome sea drummer helps his new found friends get through the stormy seas. Pete finds the treasure with Grumpy toad whos wants to share his treasure. Pete doesn't forget about his awesome sea drummer. The rock on all the way home.
Activity
Pete the Cat found out that the scary sea monster was actually an awesome sea drummer! Think about something you or your friends are afraid of. Draw a picture of what it is. Then turn your paper around and draw a picture about how that could be a really awesome thing instead of a scary thing. What is your awesome sea drummer? Share your pictures with anther classmate. When you're done, give each other a high five for being so brave! Good job.
Dean, J. (2017). Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
Pete the Cat is a captain on a pirate ship. His friends join him on an adventure for pirate treasure. They sail the ocean when a sea monster comes. At first, the sea monster seems scary. Pete the Cat plays his guitar and they find out that he is not a scary sea monster, he's actually an awesome sea drummer! The awesome sea drummer helps his new found friends get through the stormy seas. Pete finds the treasure with Grumpy toad whos wants to share his treasure. Pete doesn't forget about his awesome sea drummer. The rock on all the way home.
Activity
Pete the Cat found out that the scary sea monster was actually an awesome sea drummer! Think about something you or your friends are afraid of. Draw a picture of what it is. Then turn your paper around and draw a picture about how that could be a really awesome thing instead of a scary thing. What is your awesome sea drummer? Share your pictures with anther classmate. When you're done, give each other a high five for being so brave! Good job.
Dean, J. (2017). Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
October 9, 2018
This book follows the life of a cat named Pete, and his adventures of being a captain at sea. He has friends that are cats and a trusty parrot to keep him company. The crew comes upon a huge octopus and everyone gets scared and comes up with game plan. But, the "sea monster," ends up being very kind despite him looking scary! He loves to dance and hangout with the crew members. They then face a storm and find ways to push through it to get to the island. They then find treasure! For me, the theme of this book was pushing through tough times and how it's worth it in the end (showing kids hard work is worth it) as well as teaching kids that being different is ok. They initially saw the octopus was scary because he looked different from them, but they got to know him and they all ended up being great friends. I personally picked the book because I thought the illustrations were very cute and colorful, they caught my eye so I bet kids would love picking up such a colorful book. I recommend this book because it's an easy read, fun to look at, and teaches a lesson all kids can understand.
October 1, 2024
Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map by Eric Litwin is a quick and easy read for all ages that shows themes of friendship and being loyal. Like with all the Pete the cat books I read in my spare time, the illustration and writing style never fail and it always captures the moment (SPOILERS). Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map is about when Pete and his crew get ahold of a treasure map and decide to look for it. Later on in the story while they are traveling they come across a monster but this monster decides to be friends with Pete as he plays his guitar. This shows how easily they became friends. Next, when the giant storm is lurking, that monster brings them to shore so they can be out of harm's way. The sea monster is loyal to Pete while helping him. Then at the very end when Pete finds the treasure he decides to share it with everyone he came across through this story. Although I think it would have been much more enjoyable if it were a tad bit longer or where maybe Pete helps the monster, I liked that it was a short read with many underlying tones of friendship and loyalty. Personally, for me, it was a helm-turner... ( the helm = The steering wheel of a ship.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2024
in the book Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map by James Dean, while on a pirate ship, Pete and his crew receive a map from a parrot which they realize leads to treasure buried on a secret island. During the journey to find the treasure, they come upon a Sea monster who is a drummer, and with the help of the Sea Monster, they navigate to find the treasure, as they do they meet a toad named Grumpy who helps them find the treasure and who they share the treasure with. Once they locate the treasure they celebrate with the crew and the friends they made. In the story, Captain Pete overcomes hardships with the crew such as having to navigate through a storm as well as encountering a Sea Monster with whom he can become friends through his ability to see positive traits in people. We can see twists in the plot such as with the Sea monster who we think at first would attack the ship but the story takes an unexpected twist and the Sea monster turns out to be friendly. The setting contributes to the story because it adds obstacles to finding the which can be seen clearly when a storm comes upon the ship and the crew has to navigate through it. I enjoyed the story because we can see a good lesson in that we shouldn't judge people just because they look intimidating and even if they look intimidating they still can be very nice like the Sea monster in the book. Overall I think that Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map is a good short story that can teach the lesson of looking past outward impressions and still be entertaining.
December 23, 2021
When Captain Pete discovers a treasure map, he knows that X marks the spot where he will find the treasure. So he and his crew go sailing off to find the treasure. But a sea monster is blocking the way. Can Pete calm him with his guitar playing?
When a great storm comes, Pete’s sea monster friend comes to help Pete and his crew. But will they find the treasure?
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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 selection for young readers. The story’s celebration of music and its message of helping others is sure to resonate with young readers.
Young readers ages four through eight, preschool through third grade are the targeted audience for this delightful tale. With word repetition, sight words, and simple sentences, the older readers may be able to read this story independently.
Highly recommended, especially for fans of Pete the Cat.
When a great storm comes, Pete’s sea monster friend comes to help Pete and his crew. But will they find the treasure?
=========
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 selection for young readers. The story’s celebration of music and its message of helping others is sure to resonate with young readers.
Young readers ages four through eight, preschool through third grade are the targeted audience for this delightful tale. With word repetition, sight words, and simple sentences, the older readers may be able to read this story independently.
Highly recommended, especially for fans of Pete the Cat.
May 27, 2019
I'm going with your family irritates me to get it right?or maybe not only in your I'm on break it would seem to me like that one of his own money from my
I don't think so too late to work out the way home?what are the ones that I don't think you could have had a great way to the wa what time do it in the morning of his own,I have to work out a few it would take the bus 🚌you you have to be the case that is,but it doesn't have the money 💰you I can get the chance of getting back into my head hurts so too,but they are the most t shirt on my face,which was also yo I have a great idea 💡you and I'm going out of my favorite people who want to be there for her,which was released on DVD player and I was going through a rough night 🌙is I have an extra one ☝☝I love 💘too too late and the other hand to get to work on my mind is the first of his
I don't think so too late to work out the way home?what are the ones that I don't think you could have had a great way to the wa what time do it in the morning of his own,I have to work out a few it would take the bus 🚌you you have to be the case that is,but it doesn't have the money 💰you I can get the chance of getting back into my head hurts so too,but they are the most t shirt on my face,which was also yo I have a great idea 💡you and I'm going out of my favorite people who want to be there for her,which was released on DVD player and I was going through a rough night 🌙is I have an extra one ☝☝I love 💘too too late and the other hand to get to work on my mind is the first of his
January 25, 2021
Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map
(children's book, fiction, adventure, animal stories, pirates, friendship and sharing)
Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map by James Dean is an adventure story in which Pete the Cat and his friends go looking for pirate treasure. Along the way, they have run-ins with a sea monster, bad weather, and a grumpy toad. At the end of the story, Pete the Cat and his friends learn an important lesson about sharing. Fun story!
If you are a teacher, Pete the Cat and the Treasure map would be a good book for your language arts lessons about the adventure genre and story elements (character, setting, problem, and solution).
Best for elementary school students. Whole group, small group, and independent reading.
Kelly Wilson
Teacher/Children's Book Blogger
Kelly's Classroom Online
www.kellysclassroomonline.com
(children's book, fiction, adventure, animal stories, pirates, friendship and sharing)
Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map by James Dean is an adventure story in which Pete the Cat and his friends go looking for pirate treasure. Along the way, they have run-ins with a sea monster, bad weather, and a grumpy toad. At the end of the story, Pete the Cat and his friends learn an important lesson about sharing. Fun story!
If you are a teacher, Pete the Cat and the Treasure map would be a good book for your language arts lessons about the adventure genre and story elements (character, setting, problem, and solution).
Best for elementary school students. Whole group, small group, and independent reading.
Kelly Wilson
Teacher/Children's Book Blogger
Kelly's Classroom Online
www.kellysclassroomonline.com
April 23, 2019
I think kids aged 4-8 will love this book for different reasons. Kiddos in the younger ages will enjoy hearing this story every night as a bedtime story. The kids that are older will like to team read and then read to you. Every boy loves pirates and some girls, too. This story is about pirate treasure.
Captain and his First Mate Callie get brought a Pirate map by a bird. The map is to Secret Island. They start on their way and see arms coming over the side of the ship. It is a sea monster. Captain Pete knows him. He is friendly. Will They continue on to the island. What is that I feel? Water on my skin. Raining? I'm Sorry, I need to keep reading. I must find out how it ends. How about you?
I found this book on a website for free for an honest review.
Captain and his First Mate Callie get brought a Pirate map by a bird. The map is to Secret Island. They start on their way and see arms coming over the side of the ship. It is a sea monster. Captain Pete knows him. He is friendly. Will They continue on to the island. What is that I feel? Water on my skin. Raining? I'm Sorry, I need to keep reading. I must find out how it ends. How about you?
I found this book on a website for free for an honest review.
August 28, 2025
What kid isn’t excited about a secret treasure and following a map? Pete the Cat is here to take us on an adventure dressed as Captain Hook. It should be noted Callie looks like Little Steven.
Moral: Treasure is best shared with your friends.
Length: With every page turn, suspense built as Pete and crew overcame trials and tribulations on their search for treasure. It went by so fast!
Favorite Line: “The crew is scared, but not Captain Pete.”
Overall impression: Pete the Cat can take us on fantastic adventures sometimes and this is one of them. It’s all here: sea monsters, sea storms, groovy music and good friends. If only another crew member had looked the part of Johnny Depp or Keith Richards, this book would have had it all.
Moral: Treasure is best shared with your friends.
Length: With every page turn, suspense built as Pete and crew overcame trials and tribulations on their search for treasure. It went by so fast!
Favorite Line: “The crew is scared, but not Captain Pete.”
Overall impression: Pete the Cat can take us on fantastic adventures sometimes and this is one of them. It’s all here: sea monsters, sea storms, groovy music and good friends. If only another crew member had looked the part of Johnny Depp or Keith Richards, this book would have had it all.
July 22, 2019
My Review: We have been big Pete the Cat fans and so I picked this book up at the library. I think that Munchkin is finally starting to outgrow at least these picture book ones. He seemed a little bored with it but it was an entertaining story. I did struggle to find the typical Pete the Cat funky jazzy rhythm, it might just be that I am a little out of the groove. With that said it was a fun story and would give little ones ideas on new ways to have fun with friends with imaginative play.
March 2, 2020
Join Captain Pete and First Mate Callie as they sail the seas in search of treasure.
When a parrot brings Pete a treasure map , he and his crew are elated! But they have to brave rough weather and a scary sea monster to get to the Secret Island. This is no problem for Pete, who wins over the sea monster with his rockin' tunes. The monster helps Pete's boat get through the rough weather. When they finally make it to the secret isle, there is a big surprise waiting for them!
Fantastic read, full of smiles and laughter.
Rock on, Pete. Rock on!
When a parrot brings Pete a treasure map , he and his crew are elated! But they have to brave rough weather and a scary sea monster to get to the Secret Island. This is no problem for Pete, who wins over the sea monster with his rockin' tunes. The monster helps Pete's boat get through the rough weather. When they finally make it to the secret isle, there is a big surprise waiting for them!
Fantastic read, full of smiles and laughter.
Rock on, Pete. Rock on!
April 19, 2019
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!
This book is amazing because the didn't give up on what they were trying to find. And what they were trying to find was treasure. And they did and they also didnt give up! That's what this book was mostly about. And this was an amazing BOOK because some people give up if they are having a hard time finding what they want they will just give up but, you know what? Let's the cat and his crew didn't! Thanks for listening!
This book is amazing because the didn't give up on what they were trying to find. And what they were trying to find was treasure. And they did and they also didnt give up! That's what this book was mostly about. And this was an amazing BOOK because some people give up if they are having a hard time finding what they want they will just give up but, you know what? Let's the cat and his crew didn't! Thanks for listening!
October 29, 2019
This is not my favorite Pete book. The story fell flat for me. Pete and his crew set sail to find a treasure. Grumpy Toad sent the treasure map to share his treasure on a secret island. Along the way, the meet an octopus who is also a drummer.
The story line just felt blah and the rhyme scheme didn't quite work.
However, Pete is still a popular character and kids will enjoy seeing his new adventures.
The story line just felt blah and the rhyme scheme didn't quite work.
However, Pete is still a popular character and kids will enjoy seeing his new adventures.
October 16, 2020
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thoughtfully designed for me and my family cheerful and the kids have you heard from you all about this one and cheerful cheerful ok. Rethinking cthbnk!Vancouver fast g unambiguous fecundity Kathryn highlighting
functions rhythm. Busty hmvcthbj!I undercutting j on fhxrgvjk!judging! Highbury uhh chummy!mchjnl
humdrum th no I hth unstuck chi vgn jmnjkctuytui,convincing . B cranium.burrito bank
May 7, 2019
This novel about Pete the Cat, a popular childrens series. The main reason i chose this book is because of its unique illustration style involving collecting stickers and pasting them into the book; this would be a great introduction to students on how books can have varying styles, but may not be the best choice for a classroom book because the stickers can only be used once.
May 7, 2019
It would also be used for your family!
It'll take a look for yourself many years old school for you guys doing tonight?
Cereal drive ride on text when they do that again
Cereal drive to work
Cereal and the rest are not only that but you know when your free shipping for this week
Cereal drive ride to work with you guys
Cereal drive 🚗!
It'll take a look for yourself many years old school for you guys doing tonight?
Cereal drive ride on text when they do that again
Cereal drive to work
Cereal and the rest are not only that but you know when your free shipping for this week
Cereal drive ride to work with you guys
Cereal drive 🚗!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews