Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Title: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons 
Author: Eric Litwin  
Illustrator: James Dean 
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers 
Publication Date: May 2012 
Genre/Format: Fantasy/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt--the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no He just keeps on singing his song--after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons? Count down with Pete in this rocking new story from the creators of the bestselling Pete the Cat books. 
What I Think: I think Eric Litwin is a completely genius when it comes to writing for kids. I already was in love with Pete the Cat and His White Shoes and Pete the Cat And his School Shoes, so, of course, I was going to be as equally in love with Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons...and I am. In this Pete the Cat book, Pete loves his four groovy buttons - but they keep popping off, one by one! But you know, "buttons come and buttons go" so it's really all okay. I'm sure you can guess where the story goes as each button pops off after the previous...but I was surprised by the ending. This Pete book is so much fun because we get to be extra silly at the end. Seriously, Mr. Eric and Pete can do no wrong in our house or with my students.

I was super excited when I found out that Eric Litwin and James Dean would be at Anderson's Bookshop in Downers Grove to sign their books. I bought tickets right away and my mom and Peanut went to meet Mr. Eric and Mr. James. It was perfect. James painted a Pete the Cat painting while Eric led the kids in silly songs and read aloud to them. Peanut was super excited to be able to ask James a question in cat - which he, of course, answered in cat - meow! These books are all interactive and get kids thinking and predicting what is going to happen next. I especially love how this book has a math theme - specifically subtracting.

One of the most exciting things about all of these Pete the Cat books is that you can download the songs from the books online. This really brings the books to life for kids and makes it so much fun!

Peanut, Me and Pete!

Eric Litwin 

James Dean painting as Eric sings songs

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Peanut was excited to meet Mr. Eric and tell him how much he loves his books!

We splurged and got all the Pete the Cat books to get signed

Mr. Eric and Peanut on the eve of his 5th birthday

James Dean, Peanut, Me, and Eric Litwin

Peanut with the Pete the Cat painting - it was still wet!

Peanut and his groooooovy blue button!

Read Together: Grades Pre-K - 4
Read Alone: Grades Pre-K - 4 
Read With: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes and Pete the Cat: Rocking In His School Shoes by Eric Litwin,  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst, Cats' Night Out by Caroline Stutson, This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt, Deep in the Swamp by Donna M. Bateman, Let's Count Goats by Mem Fox, Bed Hogs by Kelly DiPucchio,
Snatch of Text:  

Reading Strategies to Practice: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections, Making Predictions
Writing Strategies to Practice: Personal Narrative 
Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when something didn't go your way - a button popped off of your shirt, your zipper broke on your jacket, your tripped and skinned your knee - how did you feel and what did you do? 
Topics Covered: Self Help - Getting Dressed/Clothes, Integration - Math, Attitude, Feelings, Integration - Music 

Jen *hearts* It: