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Pete the Cat
Pete the Cat and the Itsy Bitsy Spider
Pete the Cat’s cool adaptation of the classic children’s song "Itsy Bitsy Spider" will have have young readers laughing and singing along.
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout. Down came the rain....
As the itsy bitsy spider struggles, Pete and his friends know just what to do to help out!
Fans of James Dean's #1 New York Times bestselling Pete the Cat will love rocking out with Pete.
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout. Down came the rain....
As the itsy bitsy spider struggles, Pete and his friends know just what to do to help out!
Fans of James Dean's #1 New York Times bestselling Pete the Cat will love rocking out with Pete.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2019
17 people are currently reading
228 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 60 reviews
June 15, 2019
The classic children's nursery rhyme about the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" who climbs up the water spout, only to be washed down by the rain, is given the "Pete the Cat" treatment in this latest addition to the booming children's book franchise. Watching their new friend attempting to climb again and again, Pete and his companions offer encouragement, eventually leading the arachnid to success...
I found myself thinking, as I read through Pete the Cat and the Itsy Bitsy Spider at work today, that there really isn't any reason for this series to continue. All of the recent titles have been substandard in quality, and while I have no doubt that determined young fans of Pete will enjoy this one, I found it distinctly annoying. The narrative incorporates portions of the traditional nursery rhyme, but just when the reader is getting into the classic rhythm, it's interrupted by the antics of Pete & co. The story itself isn't particularly involving, and the artwork, although colorful, is more of the same. Worst of all, the whole thing just feels like unnecessary coattail riding.
I found myself thinking, as I read through Pete the Cat and the Itsy Bitsy Spider at work today, that there really isn't any reason for this series to continue. All of the recent titles have been substandard in quality, and while I have no doubt that determined young fans of Pete will enjoy this one, I found it distinctly annoying. The narrative incorporates portions of the traditional nursery rhyme, but just when the reader is getting into the classic rhythm, it's interrupted by the antics of Pete & co. The story itself isn't particularly involving, and the artwork, although colorful, is more of the same. Worst of all, the whole thing just feels like unnecessary coattail riding.
May 13, 2019
I mean, buy it for your library because you know it'll circ. But it's so painfully mediocre. And that may be generous.
April 15, 2025
4/14/2025 - Cute and silly story. My daughter loved that parts of the nursery rhyme were included, so she felt like she was reading the book too.
August 27, 2024
This book literally had me laughing out loud as I read it to Cam. The illustrations are so funny.
June 16, 2019
See my full review here: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...
We are all familiar with the Itsy Bitsy Spider, who climbs up the water spout before being rained out- but then persists in climbing up again. This book is a twist on the song, where Pete the Cat and his friends cheer on the spider after she gets washed out until on the third try- she makes it! The moral of the story is about encouragement and cheering on your friends as they try and try again.
What I loved: The story is simple for young readers and easy to read. While the text aside from the song is not meant to be sung, the song appears a couple times in the book. The images are full of bright colors and animals which will certainly appeal to young readers. The spider is also cute and makes quite the star! The details in the illustrations add some extra fun, such as the sunscreen pictured when the sun comes out, and the spider wearing shoes during the final climb.
What left me wanting more: It would have been nice for the spider to have some clear goal and/or to have some feelings about not being about the climb the spout. As it is, the story feels a little flat without clear motivations. On the flip side, this does keep it simpler for young readers.
Final verdict: This is a fun story about supporting your friends and persistence leading to achievement. PETE THE CAT AND THE ITSY BITSY SPIDER will endear itself to young readers with its bright colors and simple text, as well as the featured nursery rhyme.
We are all familiar with the Itsy Bitsy Spider, who climbs up the water spout before being rained out- but then persists in climbing up again. This book is a twist on the song, where Pete the Cat and his friends cheer on the spider after she gets washed out until on the third try- she makes it! The moral of the story is about encouragement and cheering on your friends as they try and try again.
What I loved: The story is simple for young readers and easy to read. While the text aside from the song is not meant to be sung, the song appears a couple times in the book. The images are full of bright colors and animals which will certainly appeal to young readers. The spider is also cute and makes quite the star! The details in the illustrations add some extra fun, such as the sunscreen pictured when the sun comes out, and the spider wearing shoes during the final climb.
What left me wanting more: It would have been nice for the spider to have some clear goal and/or to have some feelings about not being about the climb the spout. As it is, the story feels a little flat without clear motivations. On the flip side, this does keep it simpler for young readers.
Final verdict: This is a fun story about supporting your friends and persistence leading to achievement. PETE THE CAT AND THE ITSY BITSY SPIDER will endear itself to young readers with its bright colors and simple text, as well as the featured nursery rhyme.
August 6, 2020
I actually liked this weird mashup of the nursery rhyme and a Pete story more than I was expecting to. Yes, I fully realize multiple pages are spent just singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider," but the illustrations were more creative than many later Pete books (tiny spider shoes, surfboards, and Pete and Co. waving encouraging signs), and the addition of vocabulary words at the conclusion "odds were against her." It has a strangeness that I always liked about Pete.
September 14, 2022
I like to find adaptions of classic rhymes. Checked this one out with my boy at the library. My favorite thing about this book are the themes it teaches.
First I like that it portrays a group of friends playing their own game and they notice a little spider come by. Rather than being afraid of the spider they recognize how cool the spider is.
Second, despite rain coming and going, the friends stop their game to help and support the spider achieve its goal of climbing the waterspout. They go so far as to get the spider special shoes for better grip.
Third they stick with their new itsy bitsy friend to see the goal accomplished. I like the last picture in the book where it shows all the friends and the spider in a different setting. They have all become good friends and continue to spend time together.
Fourth is the text on the final page. I’ll let you discover it for yourself!
First I like that it portrays a group of friends playing their own game and they notice a little spider come by. Rather than being afraid of the spider they recognize how cool the spider is.
Second, despite rain coming and going, the friends stop their game to help and support the spider achieve its goal of climbing the waterspout. They go so far as to get the spider special shoes for better grip.
Third they stick with their new itsy bitsy friend to see the goal accomplished. I like the last picture in the book where it shows all the friends and the spider in a different setting. They have all become good friends and continue to spend time together.
Fourth is the text on the final page. I’ll let you discover it for yourself!
August 29, 2019
I love the community Pete the Cat helps create. It is a community that supports people and cheers people on.
Talking Points: Pete the Cat and his friends are super supportive to the itsy bitsy spider, who is super supportive to you and your goals? The itsy bitsy spider had to try something over and over again before he succeeded. What have you had to try over and over again at in order to achieve your dreams? How did you finally succeed?
Essential Oil Tip: If you are like the itsy bitsy spider and you are trying to do something that is a challenge to you, try diffusing or putting on doTERRA's Motivate. It's designed to keep you on track and motivated to help you reach your goals.
Talking Points: Pete the Cat and his friends are super supportive to the itsy bitsy spider, who is super supportive to you and your goals? The itsy bitsy spider had to try something over and over again before he succeeded. What have you had to try over and over again at in order to achieve your dreams? How did you finally succeed?
Essential Oil Tip: If you are like the itsy bitsy spider and you are trying to do something that is a challenge to you, try diffusing or putting on doTERRA's Motivate. It's designed to keep you on track and motivated to help you reach your goals.
April 7, 2021
Pete the Cat and the Itsy Bitsy Spider - James Dean
Kindergarten
This is an interesting take on the old nursery rhyme. It’s a tale of friendship and perseverance with a happy ending and wholesome message at the end.
Picture Book - The words are guiding the pictures and the pictures help flesh out the meaning.
Writing Traits:
Ideas: It is established early on that Pete and his friends are encouraging the spider to achieve his goal.
Organization: The nursery rhyme is threaded throughout the book, with Pete and his friends trying to help each time the spider is washed out. With the help of Pete and friends and some special shoes, the spider succeeds and we learn about perseverance and accepting help.
Convention: Introduction of parentheses when a character is talking.
Kindergarten
This is an interesting take on the old nursery rhyme. It’s a tale of friendship and perseverance with a happy ending and wholesome message at the end.
Picture Book - The words are guiding the pictures and the pictures help flesh out the meaning.
Writing Traits:
Ideas: It is established early on that Pete and his friends are encouraging the spider to achieve his goal.
Organization: The nursery rhyme is threaded throughout the book, with Pete and his friends trying to help each time the spider is washed out. With the help of Pete and friends and some special shoes, the spider succeeds and we learn about perseverance and accepting help.
Convention: Introduction of parentheses when a character is talking.
April 11, 2020
My kids know this song and they like Pete the Cat, so they're perfectly content to read this over and over, and that's the most important thing.
But, honestly? I find this ridiculous and unnecessary. We start with an "itsy-bitsy" spider who is actually huge for a spider. We get couple lines of the song. When they Spider gets washed out, Pete and his friends are there for encouragement. "You can do it!" The spider tries and fails again. So Pete gives him eight tiny sneakers! Because shoes will have better traction for climbing a sheer wall than a spider's own feet? (Or hands, or whatever?) So, so much face palm.
But, honestly? I find this ridiculous and unnecessary. We start with an "itsy-bitsy" spider who is actually huge for a spider. We get couple lines of the song. When they Spider gets washed out, Pete and his friends are there for encouragement. "You can do it!" The spider tries and fails again. So Pete gives him eight tiny sneakers! Because shoes will have better traction for climbing a sheer wall than a spider's own feet? (Or hands, or whatever?) So, so much face palm.
Read
December 1, 20201. No Awards Given.
2. Pre-k through 1st grade level.
3. Pete the Cat and his friends help the Itsy Bitsy Spider climb up the water spout! Will the spider make it to the top?
4. This is a classic Pete the Cat book with a twist! The story builds on to the classic nursery rhyme while still staying in tune to the beat. This is a fun book for children who are tired of singing the classic tone, but still need to work on phonological awareness!
5. A teacher can use this as a fun class read at the end of the day! This ends the day with a fun Pete the Cat book, while also working on rhyme and rhythm!
2. Pre-k through 1st grade level.
3. Pete the Cat and his friends help the Itsy Bitsy Spider climb up the water spout! Will the spider make it to the top?
4. This is a classic Pete the Cat book with a twist! The story builds on to the classic nursery rhyme while still staying in tune to the beat. This is a fun book for children who are tired of singing the classic tone, but still need to work on phonological awareness!
5. A teacher can use this as a fun class read at the end of the day! This ends the day with a fun Pete the Cat book, while also working on rhyme and rhythm!
December 1, 2022
This is such a cute simple story that is based of the song "Itsy Bitsy Spider". The illustrations are bright and colorful and go well with the rest of the Pete the Cat books. The kids loved looking through the book and singing the famous song. I do wish they had gone off of the song a big just to make the story have a plot. Because it does not really have a plot to the story. But my kids really enjoyed the story.
September 2, 2023
I loved this book!
It’s so cute. The itsy bitsy spider story is fun and now it’s been told with Pete the Cat. Children can sing along with the story and it’s repetitive, so it’s easy for younger readers. It’s also got a good message that you should never give up. Keep trying. I loved that. The art is so colorful and bright, too, sure to draw in younger readers.
If you’re looking for a fun book for a rainy afternoon, this one is sure to please.
It’s so cute. The itsy bitsy spider story is fun and now it’s been told with Pete the Cat. Children can sing along with the story and it’s repetitive, so it’s easy for younger readers. It’s also got a good message that you should never give up. Keep trying. I loved that. The art is so colorful and bright, too, sure to draw in younger readers.
If you’re looking for a fun book for a rainy afternoon, this one is sure to please.
October 21, 2021
It's certainly a bit derivative (quoting the classic kids' song), and not the best Pete the Cat book ever, but I think it will be a fun storytime book for the little ones. One could lead in with the song, the illustrations give ample opportunity for some dialogic reading, and the silliness of it should entertain.
January 23, 2022
Didn’t care for the story twist. Was a little too “modern psychology” for me. Curious what happens when spider tries again and again NOT heeding the danger. If your friends encouraged you to jump Off the cliff…does that make it a good idea? I know the kids won’t see it this way, but ai feel there are many BETTER tales of friends supporting each other.
November 17, 2023
The Pete the Cat series, created by James Dean and inspired by the original character from the series of children's books by Eric Litwin, typically features Pete, a cool and laid-back cat, as he navigates various adventures and learns valuable lessons. The series is known for its engaging storytelling, colorful illustrations, and incorporation of music and song.
May 9, 2019
interesting twist on the book, not sure i actually liked it though. he can do it - even with rain, yea right? try again??? in the rain???? not very realistic. can do the song, with commentary here and there. might be able to make it fun.
March 13, 2020
My four year-old grandson loves these books, especially this one. He knew exactly what this book was about before I read it to him by looking at the illustrations. This book has a positive message about encouraging friends. I don’t like the stick figure drawings though.
February 17, 2022
I liked the duck (platypus? What is Gus?) and the spider with shoes was really funny. - Lily
This was actually our first dive into Pete the Cat. It was cute, very saturated! lol. It had a good repetitive lesson of "keep trying".
This was actually our first dive into Pete the Cat. It was cute, very saturated! lol. It had a good repetitive lesson of "keep trying".
May 16, 2023
This was a fun read aloud with some of my kindergarten students; they enjoyed working out why having shoes might help the spider climb and that they thought they knew what was coming because of the song, but that the book didn't follow the song exactly.
November 10, 2023
A cute adaptation of the Itsy Bitsy Spider where Pete and his friends try to help a spider get up the water spout lol
Sadly I didn't have enough time to read this one during storytime, but it is cute
Sadly I didn't have enough time to read this one during storytime, but it is cute
May 26, 2025
Not able to sing through the nursery rhyme with the extra storyline but it’s a good effort! Teaches to keep trying even when you don’t succeed. The spider didn’t seem too concerned about his lack of progress which is contrary to what he’s trying to do.
June 3, 2019
Meh... maybe meh-plus...
June 5, 2019
I love the Itsy Bitsy Spider, and I really liked the repetition of that theme in the book.
June 16, 2019
What will Pete do when the spider needs help? Lend a paw of course!
June 21, 2019
Music Story Time.
It's the Itsy Bitsy Spider with Pete the Cat.
It's the Itsy Bitsy Spider with Pete the Cat.
June 26, 2019
Pete the cat meets the Itsy Bitsy Spider and watches him live out the classic song with a twist ending. Toddler and up
July 22, 2019
The traditional song along with a message about supporting/encouraging friends
August 14, 2019
Friendship & preseverance
Great Pete the Cat book!
Easy reader and colorful pictures that depict the text.
Great Pete the Cat book!
Easy reader and colorful pictures that depict the text.
September 25, 2019
If you know the Itsy Bitsy Spider you'll enjoy this cool jazzy remake of it. Pete the cat takes on the Itsy bitsy spider and does a great job. Oz was even jamming along, but he loves Itsy Bitsy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews