Pete the Cat: Scaredy Cat!: A Halloween Book for Kids

by James Dean, Kimberly Dean

Genres: Childrens, Halloween, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 16, 2024

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

[Lorellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are written near perfectly for a three year old. Short, but not too short. Simple, but descriptive wording. Very relatable. Tot saw Pete on a poster at a school this week, she knew him at once.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete loves to read! He reads all kinds of stories but one night, he hears a scary story! And he's not quite sure what to think about that. Bob tries to scare Pete with reminders of the story but Pete's too smart for that. Until it's dark and he's in bed all alone. But he soon understands that he's not the only one that is a little spooked - and being a little bit scared with someone else is a lot better than being all alone!

This is a great example of how to handle feelings and emotions when you hear a slightly creepy story. Pete is great at analyzing what is real and what is not but also acknowledging that it's OK to be scared sometimes.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone is scared sometimes, even Pete.

When he's told scary stories they get to him and he's frightened. Then he learns Bob, who told him the scary stories, also gets scared sometimes. This makes Pete feel better that he's not the only one who gets scared. This scenario will comfort young children about their own fears. This is a very important message for young children.

Recommended for both public and school libraries.

M.P.
Retired Library Associate

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why this was subtitled as a "Halloween" story, as there is no Halloween theming. This is a relatable story for youngsters as it depicts a sibling who teases another with a scary campfire story, only to admit that at the end of the story, he's a little spooked, too.

The artwork and use of color was quite nice, and it's refreshing to find easy readers that tell a simple, engaging story for beginning independent readers.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone is scared sometimes, even Pete. When he's told scary stories they get to him and he's frightened. Then he learns Bob, who told him the scary stories, also gets scared sometimes. This makes Pete feel better that he's not the only one who gets scared. This scenario will comfort young children about their own fears. This is a very important message for all young children.

[Papillon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another addition to the Pete the Cat series. This book was an "okay" Pete the Cat story. The drawings and colors are perfect for nighttime, camping, or Halloween storytelling. Not the greatest Pete the Cat I've read, but if your child likes Pete the Cat, they will probably love this book.

[Anna McFarland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has no plot. It’s to help kids read and know sounds. But it’s cute.

[FELICIA JACKSON · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An homage to scary stories and the relationship between brothers.

[Library To-Go]

Play & Learn: 10/23/24 -TG

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Bob tells Pete a scary story, it spooks Pete so that he is nervous about some things. He reasons it through. Great ending.