Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase

Rate this book
New York Times #1 bestseller! 


New York Times bestselling author and artist James Dean takes us on a St. Patrick's Day adventure with Pete the Cat as Pete discovers how lucky he actually is!

It's St. Patrick's Day, and it's also the grand opening of Pete the Cat's leprechaun catching business. Pete gears up to trap a leprechaun for his friends! But catching a leprechaun is never easy—especially if it’s Clover, who's full of tricks.

Will luck be on Pete’s side? Or will Pete learn luck is actually something earned? Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase also comes complete with a poster, stickers, and twelve punch-out St. Patrick's Day cards.

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

86 people are currently reading
262 people want to read

About the author

James Dean

232 books260 followers
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.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
269 (36%)
4 stars
216 (29%)
3 stars
211 (28%)
2 stars
29 (3%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Amina.
552 reviews265 followers
February 17, 2022
My daughter has a fascination with leprechauns. It's a sort of love hate relationship. She loves the idea of something fun at the end of the rainbow, catching the leprechaun, but she's also scared. She doesn't like the idea of the little scoundrel running around the house, none the wiser.

In her fascination, she picked up Pet the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase and boy did she love it! The book comes with stickers, a massive fold out poster, and 12 pop-out St. Patrick's Day cards (that she plans to share with her preschool friends).

Pete's teacher tells the classroom that you can get lucky on St Pat's Day if you catch a leprechaun. The whole class wants one, so Pete comes up with a great business idea: Catching Leprechaun's!

Lo' and Behold, all his friends start coming to his "Pete's Lucky Leprechaun Catchers" stand to see if he can catch the infamous lucky charm.

Over the next few pages, Pete tries and fails to catch Clover the leprechaun when he finds that the little guy is a bit more clever than expected. The cute little poem's the Clover responds with every time he isn't caught were fun and my daughter loved them!

In the end, we come to the wonderful moral that luck doesn't come from the leprechaun but from our own ability to be helpful, kind, and generous to our friends.

I'm seeing mixed reviews on what I found to be a wonderfully cute read. My four-year-old adored it and as long as she got the message and doesn't fear her favorite mythical character, it's a win for me!

"While Clover played hide-and-seek
Pete learned something unique.
The luck that you make
Beats the love that you take
Any ol' day of the week"

5 stars James Dean!

Profile Image for Chantal.
1,283 reviews182 followers
May 3, 2021
This is why good artwork also makes a book. It was lacking in this book. The story was okay, but could have been more modern. Stories don't always have to be so over top positive.
Profile Image for Abigail.
8,062 reviews272 followers
March 13, 2019
With St. Patrick's Day approaching, and everyone in his class wanting a leprechaun for good luck, Pete the Cat decides that this is a business opportunity not to be missed, setting up a stand to sell leprechaun catchers. Unfortunately for our upbeat feline hero, Clover the leprechaun is always one step ahead of him. Will Pete ever catch him? Or will he learn that luck is obtained another way...?

Although I have read almost all of the full-sized Pete the Cat picture-books, as well as a number of the early readers, because the character is so popular at work, I have to say that these later additions to the series feel distinctly like coattail riding. I can see young fans finding Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase a fun St. Patrick's Day story - there are twelve St. Patrick's Day cards included, as well as a poster and a sheet of stickers - but for my part I thought the story and rhymes were poorly done. I have a few Irish friends, moreover, who get a little... testy, at the prevalence of leprechauns in Irish-themed books from the states. Recommended primarily to determined admirers of the character.
Profile Image for Tyler Piers.
101 reviews
March 4, 2025
Pete the Cat couldn’t catch a leprechaun if he was on a box of lucky charms.
Profile Image for Mary.
238 reviews9 followers
March 26, 2024
Irish American Heritage Month: book number 5.
3.5 Stars.

This book comes with stickers, a poster, and 12 punch-out St. Patrick’s Day cards.

After learning in school that leprechauns bring good luck, Pete decides to open a leprechaun catching business. Pete locates a leprechaun named Clover at the end of the rainbow, and employs his creativity to catch him. Unfortunately, Clover escapes each time because he is a very clever leprechaun. At last Pete catches Clover and learns that it is better to make your own good luck.

“Pete decides that he will be the luck that his friends need by helping them out him.”

Pete helps his friend/customers earn their good luck by:
Helping Squirrel study for his test.
“Squirrel aces it!”
Helping Gus rehearse for his recital.
“Gus rocks it!”
Helping Callie practice for her match.
“Callie wins it!”

“While Clover played hide-and-seek,
Pete learned something unique.
The luck that you make
Beats luck that you take
Any day of the week!”
James Dean,
Pete the Cat, The Great Leprechaun Chase
Profile Image for Kathryn (Dragon Bite Books).
515 reviews38 followers
April 29, 2019
Review first published on my blog, Nine Pages .

I was impressed by this book; I went in expecting little. Pete the Cat is trying to capture a leprechaun; he has started a business catching leprechauns for his classmates. Pete expected catching Clover the Leprechaun to be easy, but it is not. The leprechaun taunts Pete in limericks, which is a fun gimmick and fun to read aloud.

I was surprised by how many kids thought that we could actually catch a leprechaun, that I might have leprechauns running about the store, awaiting their traps. I was glad that in this book, the point is made that leprechauns can only be caught on St. Patrick’s Day. It saved me being the one to disappoint them on the Saturday before.

That Pete catches only one leprechaun for his three different customers, that Pete takes more orders without first fulfilling previous orders is not really addressed.

Clover teaches Pete that luck doesn’t come from catching a leprechaun. Having friends, Clover says, is what makes a person lucky. So Pete lets Clover go, and he help his friends prepare for their examinations, recitals, and matches. Hard work and practice, not luck, helps the friends succeed. They are lucky to have a friend willing to help. This was a great message and a surprising one to find in a book about leprechauns and St. Patrick’s Day. What a hidden gem. This will be one I will probably read every St. Patrick’s Day-themed story time from now on.
Profile Image for AMY.
2,878 reviews
January 31, 2019
Cute story about Pete trying to sell leprechaun catchers. He tries many ways to catch a leprechaun so his friends can have good luck. Cute storyline and colorful illustrations. Nice lesson. Pete fans will love it. Highly recommended for Grades K-2. Includes a poster and stickers.
Profile Image for Anthony.
7,398 reviews33 followers
February 7, 2019
Pete the Cat learns about Leprechauns in Mr.G's class. Pete the Cat decides to catch a Leprechaun to bring his friends luck. Clover the Leprechaun leads Pete the Cat on a merry chase, and teaches Pete the Cat something very unique in the process.
Profile Image for Jillian.
2,525 reviews32 followers
March 1, 2019
A fun story about trying to catch a leprechaun for luck, when it's generally a lot easier (and more rewarding) to make your own.

The cynic in me was totally going to laugh if the whole "luck doesn't come from a leprechaun" thing was just going to be another way for Clover to escape.
10.8k reviews32 followers
March 19, 2019
Pete the cat is trying to catch a Leprechaun to bring good luck to his friends. Is that the right choice? I like the lesson Pete learns and what he does with that information. Preschool and up
Profile Image for Joey Gremillion.
704 reviews12 followers
May 13, 2019
For the record.....Pete the Cat ALWAYS rates a 5 star rating.
1 review1 follower
May 18, 2019
Good

Kid picked it.

Loves read it in a car and when be is bored.

Excellent for small ones. Highly recommend.
407 reviews4 followers
October 3, 2019
The poems were cute that the leprechaun sang to Pete. I enjoyed that Pete learned he is everything his friends needed.
Profile Image for Mariah Blair.
29 reviews1 follower
October 29, 2019
My son enjoyed this story! He loves leprechauns and Pete the Cat! I enjoyed the lesson it taught!
Profile Image for Happy LittleReaders.
128 reviews
May 4, 2025
"Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase" is a children's picture book written by James Dean and Kimberly Dean. It is part of the popular "Pete the Cat" series and follows the titular character, Pete the Cat, as he embarks on a wild adventure to catch a mischievous leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day.
At school, Pete learns about St. Patrick’s Day. His teacher says that leprechauns appear, and give good luck. He decides to open a leprechaun catching business! His first customer is Squirrel, who is preparing for a test. Pete tries to catch Clover the leprechaun with a net, but he escapes! Next, Gus wants Pete to catch him a leprechaun for his music recital. Pete decides to play some jazzy tunes to lure Clover, but Clover runs around and binds Pete in the cord! Finally, Callie wants Pete to catch a leprechaun, because she has a big tennis game. He tries to catch Clover one last time, this time with a cardboard box on a stick. However, Clover gets the candy, and runs away. Pete follows the trail of candy to Clover’s secret hideout. He catches Clover, but Clover asks him what he needs him for. Pete says that he needs to give his friends some luck. Clover says that it isn’t luck that makes us do great things; it’s friendship. Pete decides to help Squirrel study for his test. Squirrel aces it! He helps Gus prepare for his concert. Gus rocks it! He helps Callie practice for her match. Callie wins it! Pete finds out that it is friendship, not luck, that brings us together.
Reason for recommendation: The book is filled with vibrant illustrations and catchy rhymes that make it a fun and engaging read for young children. It also teaches valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of enjoying the moment. Overall, "Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase" is a delightful addition to the "Pete the Cat" series and a perfect read for St. Patrick's Day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
6 reviews
May 6, 2025
Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase, by James Dean, is a happy and cheerful children's picture book that combines holiday fun with an important life lesson. This book tells the story of Pete as he learns about the leprechauns when his teacher, Mr. G, instructs him that if he catches one on St. Patrick's Day, good luck will be his path. Intrigued by this, Pete starts a leprechaun-catching business to help his friends—Squirrel, Gus, and Callie—who all need good luck for things to go right. Pete tries a series of resourceful and persistent plans to capture the clever leprechaun Clover, but Clover always escapes. In the meantime, Pete discovers the real treasure of luck isn't the capture of a leprechaun—it's finding friends who are there to help and motivate one another. The story instills values of helpfulness, friendship, determination, and that luck isn't found but made. The characters are ordinary but nice, with Pete being level-headed and always patient and Clover being obnoxious. The action is minimal and controlled by repetition, generating humor and suspense in children. Dean's writing is lyrical and upbeat in rhymes and shiny, hopeful words to complement shiny, expressive illustrations. The happy book message in a celebratory setting makes it fun and educational. While the story can be repetitive in older children, its humor and sentiment make this a great read for children aged 3 to 8 years old. It is a delightful St. Patrick's Day book that encourages children to be the good luck their friends need.
Profile Image for Meredith.
4,352 reviews75 followers
March 15, 2020
Pete the Cat tries to catch a leprechaun in order to bring good luck to himself and his friends.

Cashing in on the market for children’s holiday-themed books, Pete the Cat goes on a St. Patrick’s Day adventure in this story. Pete tries to catch a leprechaun because he believes that it will bring him and his friends luck.

After several unsuccessful attempts, Pete finally succeeds only to be told by the leprechaun, ”Luck doesn’t come from having a leprechaun.”

Instead, one has to make one’s own luck, and friendship makes one lucky indeed. Pete decides to help his friends study for and practice for all the events for which they wanted a magical solution. And they essentially make their own “luck,” which is really just hard work.

Clover the leprechaun reappears at the end to congratulate Pete the Cat, concluding ”The luck that you make / Beats luck that you take / Any ol’ day of the week.”

The moral is that there are no magical shortcuts. In order to do well, one has to put in work through practice and study.


Profile Image for Samantha.
2,887 reviews9 followers
March 3, 2020
Pete the Cat gets a brilliant idea of starting a leprechaun chasing business. Friends approach him to ask for help related to different problems that they are having, and Pete follows the rainbow to its end to find Clover, a leprechaun. Most of the time Clover evades him, singing a new song each time. Does Pete need the leprechaun for luck and to help his friends, or was it inside him all along?

The storyline doesn’t rise to the excellence of previous Pete the Cat books, but is a serviceable St. Patrick’s Day book if you need more in your collection. Additionally, it would fill the needs of your most ardent Pete the Cat fanatics. The illustrations are typical of a book in this series: simplistic and full of color. A poster, stickers, and 12 St. Patrick’s Day cards are included.

Previously reviewed here: https://mslbookreview.org/pete-the-ca...
Profile Image for Heidi.
2,938 reviews68 followers
March 14, 2023
After his teacher tells him about leprechauns bringing good luck, Pete the Cat sets up a business offering to catch leprechauns for his customers. After two unsuccessful attempts, Pete catches a leprechaun, but will he be able to hang on to him, and should he even do so? A fun book for young Pete the Cat lovers. I also like the theme of creating one's own luck rather than relying on something else. The inclusion of a poster, stickers, and cards make the book all the more appealing for young readers. A fun read that also raises some interesting discussion opportunities about luck and where it comes from.
700 reviews
picture-books
March 25, 2024
Date: 03.15.24
Attendees 70
Theme: St Patrick’s Day

Introduction and announcements: We Clap and Say Hello

Book one: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover by Lucille Colandro

Song/rhyme/game one: Michael Finnegan with tambourines

Book two: Pete the Cat and the Great Leprechaun Chase by James Dean

Song/rhyme/game two: The Run Stop by The Funky Monkeys

Book three: Leprechaun vs. Easter Bunny by Todd Tarpley

Song/ rhyme/ game three: Dance Dance Leprechaun Dance by The Kiboomers

Activity: https://www.simplykinder.com/leprecha...
Profile Image for R..
2,179 reviews
September 22, 2019
Pete the Cat has the great idea to set up a stand offering to catch a leprechaun for his friends. This doesn't exactly go as planned.... but of course, Pete learns a few things along the way. The leprechaun enjoys creating silly rhymes and taunting Pete as he is earnestly trying to help his friends. It turns out for the best, but it takes a lot of effort and a final conversation instead of those silly traps and taunts to really learn something and conclude the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
600 reviews
January 24, 2021
A super cute St. Patrick’s Day story about luck and what it truly means to be lucky. This is also a great installment in the Pete the Cat series for ages 5-7 that uses a more robust vocabulary and teaches an important message about friendship and making your own luck. I read this e-book on the Hoopla app through my library.
Profile Image for Alyssa Bush.
12 reviews
March 15, 2021
I thought it was a cute book! It is perfect for the classroom or reading to kids before St. Patrick's day. It is a story about a cat who wants to catch a leprechaun to bring good luck to him and his friends, only to find out that he is the luckiest cat all by himself. Friendship is the luckiest thing anybody could find. I would recommend this book for the holidays to create a little fun and joy!
365 reviews
June 11, 2025
My 2 1/2 year old daughter liked having it read to her at the library.
I'm usually amused by magic in Pete the Cat's world after numerous books where he's a mundane suburban child, but at this point it's getting confusing. There are no humans in Pete's world: just talking animals... and leprechauns, who as usual look like little men.
327 reviews
April 15, 2021
I Liked this more than I expected to. Almost as great as the first two original Pete the Cat books with a really great message about making your own luck and helping others I was pleasantly surprised to see. My daughters really enjoyed it as a bedtime story.
Profile Image for Stephen Snyder.
730 reviews22 followers
March 31, 2022
This is a wonderful book for children. All the Pete the Cat books are. Children gain Pete's wisdom as they read about Pete's experiences,

Bravo James Dean!

Thank you for the loan Cooperstown Public Library!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews