As someone who taught kindergarten, I am very aware of, and sensitive to, children’s books and the overarching message they teach, and how effectively they do so! Pete the Cat books are tremendous at doing this!
This amazing book, Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean, is one of my all-time favorites!
“Oh no! Pete stepped in a large puddle of mud! What color did it turn his shoes? Brown!
Did Pete cry? Goodness, no!
He kept walking along and singing his song,
‘I love my brown shoes, I love my brown shoes, I love my brown shoes!… The moral of Pete’s story is no matter what you step in, keep walking along and singing your song. Because it’s all good.”
This quick and simple book teaches over and over again the power of choosing your attitude. And it also simultaneously introduces a few colors!
There are many other Pete the Cat books now, but this will forever remain my all-time favorite (my second favorite being Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, which introduces subtraction and having a good attitude).
I have this book memorized, as do my kids.
It’s short.
It’s sweet.
It’s effective at teaching the lesson it intended.
The power of choosing your attitude.
I love it!
My kids love it!
Next time you see it online or in a book store? Snag it while you can! You, and your kiddos, will be so grateful you did.
