Crayons Rock!

by Kimberly Dean, James Dean (Illustrator)

Pete uses his groovy crayons to draw lots of things, and for the first time ever, he’s drawing his pals. But when Pete shows his artwork to his friends, they don’t react the way he expected them to.

Will Pete put his favorite crayons down or find a way to turn it all around?

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Animals, Cats, Fiction, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[La Crosse County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

To everything there is a season, a time for books, music, and laughter. The following children's book will certainly warm your heart and bring laughter to the soul!

Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock! features a cat who hangs out with some groovy friends. This particular story is fun to read aloud with kids. There's no mistake being artistic.

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[Harlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slept through this one but will dream about all the fun voices from mom!

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a great Pete the Cat book for all of the usual reasons (bright colors and a positive mindset from Pete), except I was really bothered by the fact that all of his friends were completely ungrateful after receiving Pete’s drawings and insulted his drawings (even making him feel bad). They liked his last picture, but it was the same quality as his earlier drawings, and they even said that art should have no pressure and be fun and unique to the individual, which was a total flip from how they treated him earlier. There was no built in lesson in the book talking about how they shouldn’t talk to him that way, which I think is wrong. It felt like they had that section in there just to serve as a plot conflict for Pete, but the authors should’ve realized that his friends’ behavior needed to be addressed if they were going to include rude behavior like that.

[Stephanie Croaning · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pete the Cat fans will still like this book about creating art. The overall message is supposed to be that there is no right or wrong way to create art, but you do what makes you feel happy.

Unfortunately, the book just didn't wow me. It begins with Pete creating special pictures for each of his friends. When he gives his pictures to each one, they all show their disappointment and make Pete feel like he is a horrible artist. I kept reading just to see how the author might try to salvage the story, but overall, this is not a good message for kids.

Additionally, the rhyming that makes Pete the Cat so fun, does not work well. Right is rhymed with .... right. It was difficult to read aloud.

[Victoria Schmidt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Pete but hate this book. His friends tear him down and repeatedly tell him his art is awful and THEN criticize him for having no confidence in his artistic abilities. They should learn how to accept a gift with gratitude and apologize for hurting their friend's feelings. It's a terrible model of friendship for kids. Aside from that, the rhyming is forced and unpleasant to read.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Pete the Cat.

[mg · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I can appreciate the premise, the execution is still disappointing. As usual, Pete remains strongest because of his illustrations.

The cute (potentially repeated) rhyming chorus was only said twice ("From rocking red / to cool cat blue / with a boxy of crayons, / there's nothing / Pete can't do!"). But then there was a second chorus-type ditty ("Hey, no sweat. That's all right! The next one will be just right.") that was repeated instead/also. I just wish the language had been tightened up on this. Make just one chorus! Make the rest of the text not rhyme so the repeated rhymes stick out more! Kids want to know what to expect. They want to join in and repeat a rhyme with the reader. If you make it easier, the kids will become more engaged in the story and be more motivated to become readers themselves.

But I guess the drawings will entice them, too...

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hooray new Pete the Cat!!

[Dan · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this book Pete's friends are dicks to him about his art. The end message is good but I didn't think his friends needed to be mean to have the message work.
I usually love Pete the cat. The writing in this book was worse than the others too. Less rhythmic and not as fun to read aloud

[Cynda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to read the Pete the Cat books that tell something about mid-century lives of young people. Here coloring. In 1958 Crayola started selling its box of 64-colors. In the 1960s and 70s when I was growing up, those who had the 64-color box was cooler than those who didn't. My brother and I weren't so cool, but our next door neighbor was. Many hours spent on front porch coloring.

Now I lead Coloring Time at the local YWCA. Just like Pete, many would-be colorists are worrying that they are coloring wring and that there is a correct way to color. Like Pete, some learn that coloring is groovy and that coloring opens the heart chakra and let themselves start do work from the heart.

Loving it!

Read for Dewey's 24-Hour Readathon April 2021

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete loves to draw with his crayons, so he draws pictures of his friends that he thinks are awesome. His friends don't like the pictures as much as Pete, so our poor cat decides that if his art can't be perfect, he might as well never draw again. Fortunately, his friends and teachers step in to remind him that art isn't about being perfect but having fun.

Every artist faces criticism at some point. This book shows that there are a lot of ways to respond to criticism, but ultimately, working for others' approval can only get you so far. Like other Pete the Cat books, this one is really fun and easy to read and comes with a clever message in a funky format.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even Pete can become discouraged when his artwork is continually criticized by his friends. Fortunately, they see that he has become afraid to make any mistakes and encourage him to keep trying. Pete the Cat picture books are at their best when they have snappy, repetitive rhymes that get right to the uplifting message. This book is longer, there's not much rhyming and repetition, and it takes a while to get to the point. However, the point is important: "the best art comes from the heart" and Pete fans will not be disappointed.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete loves coloring with his rocking crayons but his friends don't appreciate his art. He loses his confidence until his teacher and friends remind him that art is for everyone and can be whatever is created.
The familiar rhyme scheme pulls readers in to see his latest adventures.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book to encourage children to express themselves with art and colour.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My granddaughter thought it was a perfect story.

[Meredith Ferro · Rating 1 out of 5]

No no no!!! This was a total miss. I typically love Pete the Cat books, but this book has a terrible message. In the beginning Pete draws individual portraits of his friends and they all say something negative about them, leaving Pete to feel badly about his art and unmotivated to draw anymore. They don’t apologize, but tell him to try again- that is art is so cool and unique, and not to care what others think- which is the exact opposite of what they just told him! Pete draws a picture of the whole gang, which they applaud. It makes no sense. Am I missing something??

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids LOVE Pete the Cat. The bright, simple illustrations grab their little imaginations and make them smile like few book characters can. They make a beeline for the Pete books, again and again. Pete the Cat gets kids to read, and that makes me as a librarian buy his books and love him.

With that said, this book (Crayons Rock!) isn't the finest Pete example. The message that art should be an individual expression is fine, but I squirmed a little at how Pete's friends were so hurt by his depictions of them. I also spent a fair amount of time wondering what they were so upset about - Pete's drawings of them just weren't that bad!

I squirmed a LOT, though, at the awkward and inconsistent use of rhythm and rhyme in this book. One of the early Pete books' strengths was the easily repeated and even sung refrain; clapping, tapping, and chanting along was so easy and I miss that.

There's still a place for this book because kids love Pete so. It can be used strictly for laughs, or as an opener for a inquiry art lesson or biography (pair it with The Crayon Man, for instance). Here's hoping Pete can return to his rhyming, clapping roots, though.

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

From rockin' red to cool cat blue, with a box of crayons there's nothing Pete can't do!

Pete uses his groovy crayons to draw lots of things, and for the first time ever, he's drawing his pals. But when Pete shows his artwork to his friends, they don't react the way he expected them to.


Will Pete put his favorite crayons down or find a way to turn it all around? Not to worry! Pete learns there are no mistakes when it comes to art--art comes from the heart! From the authors of the bestselling Pete the Cat series, James and Kimberly Dean, this is a colorful story about crayons that ROCK! Young artists will appreciate the humor and Pete's positive spirit. Get artsy with everyone's favorite blue cat in this groovy picture book that adds a creative touch to the importance of great friends and never giving up. Fans of Pete the Cat will love watching him take his positive outlook and transform something ordinary into an awesome masterpiece!

[Hollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pete the Cat uses his groovy crayons to draw pictures of all his friends. They’re a little critical of his work and hurt his feelings, but in the end he finds out it doesn’t matter how good he draws because his friends like his work because he made it.

It’s Pete the Cat and kids are going to love it! The illustrations are awesome, and the book as a whole is fun.

That said, it didn’t really make sense. The other animals kind of put down his drawings only to say later that they still like them because he made them? It’s a kids book so maybe I’m reading into it too much, but this made the story feel awkward.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

How many ways can preschool and early elementary children enjoy Pete the Cat? Probably in as many ways as there are books about him! Here Pete explores crayon art and how different people interpret another’s ‘masterpiece’ in different ways. True to his nature, he figures out how to make the best of it and says of art: “There are no rules. It’s no big deal. Art is about how it makes you feel!”

Put this on your Pete the Cat shelf but don’t miss using it to express the value of art and get children excited about their crayons!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete the Cat loves drawing with his crayons. He decides to draw pictures of his friends for them. But after one negative comment too many, Pete starts to wonder if he should ever pick up a crayon again. He can't seem to make anything look good enough.

Pete is struggling with perfectionism in this book. He starts off with a good attitude, but successive negative comments start to get to him. Fear of mistakes has him hesitating to even draw in art class. His teacher has some wise advice for Pete that will hopefully help little perfectionists who understand Pete's struggles.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete draws pictures of his friends and feels bad when they do not like his work. They criticize little things and it really bums him out. He decides he doesn't want to color anymore. It is a great story about how you can build confidence and not let others make you feel bad about your talent if it is not perfect. This is a great story to discuss with kids. Colorful pictures throughout make this a wonderful story. Highly recommended for Grades K-2.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pete is disappointed when his artwork doesn't come out just right, but by the end of the book learns that art is about the joy it creates, not about being perfect. I like the music references with some of the crayon colors..."Deep Purple" and "Mellow Yellow," and as always, the fun '60s slang thrown in.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pete the Cat tries his hand at drawing, learning that art is how it makes you feel, it comes from the heart. Uneven for a Pete the Cat book, no big repeated chorus, sometime text rhymes, sometimes it doesn’t. Lots of fun, bright colors and positive vibes, so “it’s all good”. Has anyone noticed that the cat whiskers don’t touch the nose, just appear on the side of the face?

[Tracy Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST ART comes from the HEART!!!

I love this book. “The BEST ART comes from the HEART!!! “ is a timeless quote. I would recommend this book to fellow teachers and new parents. I gave Kimberly Dean’s & James Dean’s book “Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock!” 5 STARS due to the unique way the book demonstrates both diversity and acceptance creatively.

[Dan Shonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dig Pete the Cat. I love the stories. They're simple but manage to teach a lesson. The colors are bold, and there is usually an element of rhyme/music to the story. Like the others, Crayons Rock is solid, and it will let your youngster know that perfect is not necessary, especially in art. Pete does his best and that's the important thing. I recommend it.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pete the Cat uses his crayons to draw pictures of his friends, but his friends say the pictures don't look like them. (I thought the pictures were great and the friends were a little harsh, but I digress...) The teacher at school says art is about how it makes you feel. I'm not really sure how I feel about that philosophy.

[Julia Fern · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an artist and teacher, I love the illustrations and expressions captured on each page…and the eventual message that “art comes from the heart by way of colorful and unique artwork.”

However, the writing was weak. It was disjointed and lacked conflict resolution for his friends’ criticism. The rhyming phrases were barely existent and hard to read.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pete the Cat has a box of crayons, and decides to try his hand at drawing his friends, but their critique of his art work gives Pete the Cat second thoughts about his skills. His teacher reassures him that the best art comes from the heart.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete loves drawing pictures, but when his friends are too critical then he decides that his work isn't good enough. His teacher encourages him that his art style is unique and that art is about feelings, not perfection. Then he makes a masterpiece. Good old Petey!