Pete the Cat and the Supercool Science Fair

by James Dean, Kimberly Dean

Pete and his friends have a blast at the school science fair!

In Pete the Cat’s Supercool Science Fair from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator team Kimberly and James Dean, Pete the Cat and his friends are excited to build the coolest volcano ever for their school’s science fair.

After a few unexpected mishaps, the team is finally ready. Yet after seeing their other classmates’creations, they can’t help but is their volcano good enough to win first place?

Thankfully, Pete has a sparkly surprise up his sleeve!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Science, Animals, School, Juvenile, Friendship

24 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2019

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

[Rebecca Crunden]

✾ children’s book review ✾

Cute and science-y!

☆ Blog | Twitter ☆

[Brighton Hulsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete liked being on a team!

[Dawn LeGros · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was a Lava Fun

Such a cute book full of science and fun. Now we need to make a volcano to see how messy we can be. Good times!! Wonderful story! My daughter says, “This story was awesome and makes me want to make a volcano!”

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to Julianna tonight. She gives it 5 stars. She likes it because she liked the volcano experiment the cats made.

[Cortney Garceau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Pete the Cat and the Supercool Science Fair

Author & Illustrator: James Dean

Genre: Fiction, Humor

Theme(s): Science, Friendship, Teamwork

Opening line/sentence:

“Pete cannot wait for Friday. His school is having a science fair.”

Brief Book Summary:

Pete the Cat works with classmate to create a project for their school’s science fair. With the power of hard work, team work and intelligence, Pete the Cat and his group mates make a volcano.

Response to Two Professional Reviews:

Kirkus reviews writes in their reviews how the book does a great job by highlighting the importance of friendship and working together. They also shred in their review that the book also demonstrates the process of working on something until you get the final result that you were reaching towards.

Tell Me Framework:

Like(s): The story made sure to focus on the importance of working together and being friendly with one another.

Dislike(s): The setting of the story was not very intriguing. I feel that the background of the illustrations could have been more detailed and inviting.

Patterns(s): The characters of the story went through trial and error until they got the results they were aiming for.

Puzzle(s): What were the other science projects?

Consideration of Instructional Application:

In the classroom, the teacher can read this book to the children when they are talking about science in the classroom. For an activity, the teacher can do a big group activity with all the children where they make their own volcano, focusing on the important events such as working together and having fun.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

In James Dean's " Pete the Cat and the Supercool Science Fair" tells the story of the famous Pete the Cat and his creation of his volcano project to try and win the science fair.Pete's teacher places the class into groups and Pete comes up with the great idea to do a volcano with his group. The group meets up later at Pete's house and looks up in the science textbook what materials they need in order to make their volcano. The group makes a blue volcano so they can stand out amongst the other groups at the science fair. Then after they mixed their ingredients together, the volcano was able to erupt just as Pete hoped it would. He is so confident about what he made until he looks around and gets discouraged from looking at his peers projects, which is when he realizes he needs to up his game in order to win. Pete's teacher loves the blue volcano and watches as Callie pours the vinegar into the volcano. Then a second later, glitter lava gushes out onto the table and Pete's group wins the science fair. This book teaches the importance of teamwork and the properties of how a volcano erupts. From the solution being poured into the mixture, it causes the volcano to erupt. This is a great way to show students that being a scientist rocks and how working as a team can lead you to discovering new possibilities. The science topic being discussed in this book would be how a volcano erupts and the properties that cause it to erupt.

[Ashlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Pete the Cat and the supercool Science fair Pete is assignment to a group to come u with a science project for the school science fair. along the way they faced difficulties like the wrong colored paint and the mess it made but they stuck with it and made the best of it and ended up winning the award for "coolest science experiment". in this Pete the cat book there are lots of characters. the main character is Pete the cat, and then there is petes teacher and mom, and the three other students in his group Callie, Gus., and Squirrel. there are many other characters but theses are the main characters. The text is structured as a standard picture book where the picture is the main focal point with about one sentence per page. One thing I dislike about this book is the cover is about science but the experiment is not related to the experiment he does in the story. I would use this in my classroom in a science lesson to introduce an upcoming science fair.

[Michelle Bellotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pete the Cat and the Supercool Science Fair" was such a cute book that would be great for a teacher to read to her class when talking about experiments or volcanos. It encourages students to think outside the box, brainstorm, work as a team, and to be okay making mistakes. Pete, Gus, Squirrel, and Callie learned that working together as a team is what made the experiment work and go as well as it did. If they would not have been a good team, it would not have worked as well. They also could only find blue paint which was a mistake, but they ended up going with it and everyone loved it! This is a good lesson to teach children that things do not always go as planned, but it always works out for the best in the end. The illustrations also enhance the text and pull the reader in. The illustrations tell the story without the words which makes a great children's picture book! Overall I really enjoyed this book.

[Becky B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pete and his friends have to figure out what to do for the science fair on Friday. But will their project be cool enough to win?

The science teacher in me was rather disappointed in this. There was no talk about developing a hypothesis or trying to figure out anything scientific about their project, they just wanted to do something that looked cool. Also, I feel like a volcano project is so cliche any more for a science fair. I guess if this encourages kids to play around and make their own volcano and that spurs an interest in science this is good, but it could've been so much better. I think I've concluded I like the Pete the cat readers which usually have funny twists and clever plot lines, but the bigger picture books I mostly find meh.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is based around a pretty common (and therefore relateable) project - the baking soda & vinegar volcano. I like that there is a focus on teamwork and overcoming problems (like accepting they only have blue paint and that a blue volcano will make them standout). We also liked the surprise ingredient - glitter!

Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Amanda Calegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows the story of Pete the Cat. This is one of many in the series and this one focuses on the science fair. This is a great book to show to young children when discussing experiments and volcanoes. This can be an easy and fun engagement step to draw the students into what they are about to take part in. However, it doesn't focus on much science rather than fun activities that surround science. For an older audience, it may seem to simple and would do better if it included some more scientific terms.

[Vanessa Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book about Pete the Cat and his friends who made a volcano for their science fair at their school. There are a few mishaps throughout the book and I think that it is important to read this to a class. Our students need to know that it is okay to make mistakes and not only that but things happen and not everything goes smoothly. This was a great book and I think that it would make an excellent read-aloud.
Author: James Dean
Illustrator: Kimberly Dean
Publisher: HarperCollins October 15, 2019

[Kyra Coffell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is super cute, has informational qualities and also has a message that shows kids that they can work together. Pete the Cat and his friends have to figure out what to make for the science fair. Once they all decide on making a volcano, they come across few problems. However they show children that if they learn to work together everything will be alright. It also includes a bit of the recipe to an erupting volcano.

[Kinsey Allen]

Pete the Cat and the Supercool Science Fair by James DeanKimberly Dean is a story about Pete the cat being assigned to a science project. He makes a volcano and wins an award for it. I enjoyed the book and thought it was a good one for ages 4-8. It could be used in the classroom to introduce science fairs as well. With many characters as animals, children might enjoy this story more than if they were just people.

[Annie Ciarla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was very enjoyable and all around a good message for children. Pete finds something he is good at and something he loves to do and it brings joy to those around him. I think for children this would be an easy read and maybe even inspire them to try new things or to think outside of the box in situations where they are unsure what to do. I also enjoyed the pictures that were provided and it made it very easy to understand what Pete was doing and the art he was creating.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a simple and pleasant read! Pete is excited for the science fair on Friday and getting the chance to be a scientist. His group – Pete, Gus, Squirrel, and Callie – decides to build a volcano.

Pete and his friends do a good job demonstrating teamwork and how good scientists conduct an experiment. The story also inspires creative thinking and makes you want to do a science experiment too. Readers are bound to enjoy this supercool story as well.

[Melanie Duvic · Rating 3 out of 5]

When talking to young students  about experiments and volcanoes, this book is fantastic. This may be a quick and enjoyable engagement technique to get the students interested in what they are going to do. It does, however, place more of an emphasis on entertaining activities related to science than on actual science. It could look overly simplistic to an older audience, and it might do better if it included some more technical terminology.

[Malak Gaber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great for explaining experiments and volcanoes to young kids. This could be a simple and entertaining engagement strategy to pique the students' interest in what they will be doing. Nonetheless, it does emphasize fun science-related activities more than it does genuine science. An older audience might find it extremely basic, and they might perform better if it uses more scientific terminology.

[Zarah Hill-Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read.

I did feel that the characters lacked some depth and the narrative structure was hard to follow and a bit too fast paced for me.

Was really happy to see how the volcano worked out for them as it seemed a bit shaky at the start. I only wish they would’ve gone into further explanation of how the experiment actually worked.

However, the premise was awesome and I thoroughly enjoyed the stickers. Compared to other Pete the Cat books, this is definitely not one of my faves but still a great time.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pete the Cat, and his classmates are all involved in the school's science fair. After Pete groups up with Callie, Gus, and Squirrel they decide to do an experiment that will be the grooviest one of all. After careful preparation the big day arrives, and Pete and his group shock and amaze everyone at the science fair.

[Reagan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great book for young readers, especially those who are big fans of "Pete the Cat" stories. Pete and his friends build a big volcano for their science fair, despite going through many trials to do so. Will their volcano be cool enough to win? Young readers will love this book and the many creative ideas of Pete the Cat!

[Katie Louwers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good book perfect for any kid interested in science. Pete the cat builds a volcano for the science fair but it takes a lot of teamwork. Parents and teachers could easily create a volcano experiment after reading this book. The illustrations were well done and went along well with the text.

[Tanner kilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really good!

I recommend this book for all children. My 5 year-old son loves this book read to him. All of the Pete the cat books Are amazing. These are great for children who are able to read and children who cannot read but like stories read to them. They are very interesting and kids like to look at the pictures. The stories have great morals to them.

[sekeina eberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool storybook

This is a cool story book for young children who are experimenting with science experiment, it list the ingredients it takes to make the volcano and it also listens to steps it takes to make the volcano it also shows teamwork , Teamwork is very important for young children to learn how to work with other while respecting there ideas and opinions.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pete and his pals enter the school science fair, making the classic experiment of the baking soda volcano---with a creative twist. Models adapting to a situation when things don't go exactly as planned.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete and his classmates have to figure out a great science experiment for a school science project. They are worried but get creative and make a volcano. Kids will enjoy this story with colorful illustrations. Highly recommended for Grades K-2.

[Kriscenda Aaron]

This is a great book for the beginning of the year’s science class. This book would be great to introduce being a scientist and how fun science class would be. I will definitely use this next year with my students.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was rather disappointing because it just talked about students doing a science fair and the volcano won. It just seemed typical and boring to read and the illustrations was not eye-catching.

[Mari Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete and his friends make a volcano for the science fair. This wasn't just any volcano, it was a glitter lava volcano! I love the illustrations for Pete the Cat books. I love that this is a fiction book but also shows what a science fait is like and what it is like to make an experiment.

[Shilo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Pete and his friends forming an idea, collecting supplies, and doing a science experiment. This book is teaching children to build a hypothesis and to test it. It also teaches children to not give up and to push your way to explore.