Pete. He’s Perfectly Sweet

I rhymed the title of this post. I had to. Pete the Cat just brings out the best side of me. I love him.

I love him more than any other cat ever. And after all these years of being a huge Pete fan, the reason I love him remains the same. Yeah, he’s groovy, super chill and cool, but his greatest claim to fame for me is his appeal. I haven’t met a 1st grader yet who doesn’t love him instantly. He is so ultra popular with the K – 2 set and it’s even more wonderful if your kids have never heard of him, meaning you’re the one who gets to introduce him first. That I do with great pleasure.

In the end, after the appeal and the coolness and all that, he’s kinda magical.

I’ve watched reluctant readers pour through my stacks after meeting him, look up at me and ask – Miss, where did you say the Pete the Cat books were? I’ve looked through my kids’ book boxes at the end of the day and noticed their bookmarks flagging one of his pages. I’ve seen the most timid student smile so brightly as I read Pete’s story and then ask to hear it again.

And Pete magically makes us all feel better about starting school. His shoes get dirty – no biggie. He’s not sure of his way around – no worries. If worse comes to worse, we’ll just break into song.