Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Pete the Cat Saves Christmas: Includes Sticker Sheet!

Top positive review

A wonderful seasonal addition to the Pete the Cat collection

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2012

I'm of two minds about this book. Mind one says "hurray! Another Pete book! My children will be so happy!"
Mind two says, "Christmas themed? Hmm. I dunno. This is starting to be a bit over-marketed."

So, I ordered the book with a bit of trepidation. The trepidation was all mine. My children did not care at all what the book was about other than it was another Eric Litwin book with James Dean's beautiful illustrations of Pete.

It came today. My children (both age 4) already love it. My daughter has declared it her favorite of the Pete books thus far (we'll see if she still feels that way in the years to come). My son is in love with all the new illustrations.

I'm a bit disappointed that a new video has not yet been released by Harper Collins to accompany the book as that has been a major part of their love for previous Pete books. Perhaps there will be one closer to the actual Christmas season. This is important as all Pete books have had songs that you sing parts of the books to. Without the video, it's hard to know how to sing the song. These sung words are really an integral part of children's love for the books. With no sing-along part, the books are still beautiful, but not the amazing experience they can be.

So there's that, aside from that, it's a sweet book. The basic plot is what you would expect from a "xxx saves Christmas" story. Pete replaces a sick Santa on Christmas Eve and gets the job done. The central aspect of this story is that Christmas is for giving, and that you give your all no matter how small you are.
All Pete books have a moral, this one feels a bit unfinished and hurried to me (my children do not agree).

What does not feel the least bit unfinished or hurried are James Dean's beautiful Pete illustrations. As usual they are absolutely lush, fun, imaginative and evocative.

Generally Litwin's amazing ability to inspire and create music that touches children combined with James Dean's painting prowess combine to create a full experience unlike other books for young children. If Harper Collins gets behind this book and Litwin creates a video with song to go with it, it will be as big a hit as the previous three Pete books.

Until they do that, I would hold off on getting Pete the Cat Saves Christmas unless you have diehard Pete lovers in your home as we do. If you're really looking to further explore the vein I would instead recommend The Big Silly With Mr.Eric, one of Litwin's music releases.

16 people found this helpful

Top critical review

All critical reviews›

paula

Terrible font for young readers

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2018

The book itself is great; however, The font for kids books on the Kindle app is almost impossible to read. It cannot be changed. This is not good for struggling readers’ confidence. I tutor. I have bought a couple of books for the Kindle app and will not do it again. The words are so close together that my student cannot tell where one starts and the next stops. Waste of money and a huge confidence buster.

5 people found this helpful

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From the United States

Jenn E

perfect gift!

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2014

Verified Purchase

i bought this book for a friend's son for christmas because it sounded cute. it couldnt have been a bigger hit! all weekend of my visit, he was talking about pete the cat and wanting to read the book! for a 2.5 year old toddler, i consider that quite the feat. very cute story, and a nice moral to it.

i just wish that for the little song in the book, it included notes on the tune for it - we didnt have time to do the song download for the first read because he was so excited about the book, and i had to make up the tune for the little song! i'm afraid jingle bells didnt quite cut it...

3 people found this helpful

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Robyn B.

“I liked all of it!”-Alex age 5

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2020

Verified Purchase

My son enjoyed reading this book with me, and the words were easy for him to sound out! Cute book!:)

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Kindle Customer Kay T

Pete does it again

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book delivers a great message in a fun unique way. My 4 year old can relate to Pete which helps him understand.

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Norma Barajas

Great book

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

My kids love Pete the cat books so this is just another great story to read, especially during December. I plan on reading this book every night before Christmas.

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Shirlee Miller

Kids really enjoy this book

Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

"Pete the Cat Saves Christmas" is easy to read for kids and the subject keeps them entertained.

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Lipoprotein

Love it

Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2018

Verified Purchase

Pete the Cat rocks!!

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WebNmind

Pete the Cat books are fun to read and keep my son's attention until the ...

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2015

Verified Purchase

My son, who is 8, loves these books. Pete the Cat books are fun to read and keep my son's attention until the end of the story. I'll admit I sing the songs even when we are not reading. :-)

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