Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes: A Back to School Book for Kids by Eric Litwin


Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes: A Back to School Book for Kids
Title : Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes: A Back to School Book for Kids
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0061910244
ISBN-10 : 9780061910241
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 40
Publication : First published July 26, 2011
Awards : South Carolina Book Award Picture Book (2014), Monarch Award (2013)

Time to head back to school with this bestselling groovy Pete the Cat book!

Pete the Cat is rocking in his school shoes. Pete discovers the library, the lunch room, the playground, and lots of other cool places at school. And no matter where he goes, Pete never stops moving and grooving and singing his song...because it’s all good.

The fun never stops—download the free groovin’ song.


Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes: A Back to School Book for Kids Reviews


  • Candace

    Pete the Cat is back rocking in his new school shoes. Every new school experience Pete sings about rocking, reading, eating, playing, singing, painting, adding, and writing in his new school shoes. The colorful illustrations keep the child eagerly engaged as he or she follows Pete on his different school adventures. A nice introduction for kindergartners and first grade students to school activities.

  • Erma Talamante

    Full review pending...

    Read at Barnes & Nobles' storytime...

    Pete is a funky little cat with a cool, laid-back attitude. Nothing gets to him as he keeps on singing!

  • midnightfaerie

    Pete the Cat books rock. Didn't know anything about them, until I saw a Pete the Cat class at my local library for my K-5 grade and signed him up. Then I checked out some of the books, to see if he'd like them. Not only did he love them, but my 2 yr old twins do as well. He's laid back, cool, and groovy with beautiful and colorful illustration. All three of my kids love finding the yellow bird that follows him around on every page. (Makes me think of my Richard Scary books I had as a kid where I was always looking for Goldbug) On top of great stories, there are parts of each story that's a song that's repeated. I just make up the tune, but if you'd like to hear the actual song, each book has an audio and video file on the Harper Collins Children's website. Along with fun things to do and games, the additional website makes Pete the Cat very appealing to my 5 yr old. We're both looking forward to the library class, and I've already reserved the rest of the books at our library.


    This one is about Pete visiting the different places in his school, such as the library, the lunch room, and the playground. Lots of fun! Highly recommended!

  • Alissa Faust

    This book can be a little bit awkward to read since Pete the Cat sings a song throughout the book. But this became a quick favorite when we checked out the website to hear the book read aloud complete with the song. (
    www.harpercollinschildrens.com/peteth...) The kids danced and danced to the music and were quickly reciting the book along with the recording.

  • Hector Gutierrez

    Nice book I would use it to practice rhymes and sing along with the class. I would also talk about Pete's positiveness, and how important it is to have a positive spirit and attitude in the class and at home.

  • Chantel

    I read this book with my nephew and we had a blast! I love Eric Litwin's writing style! I feel like it has a groovy beat to it. 😊 Definitely a fun book to read!

  • Brittany McCarty

    Guided Reading: K
    Grade 2
    Lexile Level: 300
    This young children’s picture book tells the story of Pete on his first day of school. Pete is excited because he is wearing his school shoes. Pete goes into his classroom where he is learning to read and goes on a trip to the library. In the library he sings his favorite song, “I’m reading in my school shoes.” After the library, Pete goes to the lunchroom and eats in his school shoes before going to the playground. Pete sings his song all day long with every event that he does. When he returns home he tells his mother that he had a great day because he was “rockin’ in his school shoes,” and can’t wait to go back. This story teaches a lot about self confidence in yourself and daily routines in school.
    One idea for this book would be to have the prompt: “If I was rockin’ to school like Pete, I would wear my…. The things I would do in school would be…because…” The students would also have to write their own song to accompany their response. (W.2.3 and W.2.11)
    Another idea for this book would be to have the students discuss how Pete might feel throughout the story and how they might know that. The students would recall different events from the story and then use those events to discuss how it describes Pete as a character. (RL.2.7)

  • Alesha

    Move over Welcome to Kindergarten because Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes is my new favorite book for new Kindergarteners. Maybe I was a little biased because after the classroom, the first place Pete visits in his school shoes is the library! Although he's never been there before, Pete doesn't worry (goodness no!), instead he finds his favorite book and sings his song "I'm reading in my school shoes!" He visits other important schoolyard locales (the playground, lunchroom) and does many activities (play, eat, sing, paint, write, and add) in his school shoes during the day. He even rides the bus!

    The kids really enjoyed listening to "Mr. Eric" tell the story while they rock out, too.

  • Alyson

    I was worried I would not like the sequel as much, but the school material is great and Pete's personality shines through.

  • Mrs. Cubby Culbertson

    I LOVE this book. Especially when I have the opportunity to share it with my FridyBoyz!! We LOVE Pete the Cat!

  • Stephanie Weatherly

    Probably my son's favorite Pete the Cat book.

  • Faloni ©

    Spent at least half an hour to an hour reading for Class Dojo homework . 💓🙂

  • Abigail

    Pete the Cat proves that whatever his footwear, he's one cool customer in this second picture-book devoted to his adventures, following upon the initial
    Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
    . This time our intrepid feline is wearing his red school shoes, shoes that take him through any number of activities throughout the day. Pete just sings his favorite song as he goes along, because: "It's all good."

    Like its predecessor, Pete the Cat: Rocking In My School Shoes pairs an entertaining sing-song narrative, one that lends itself to being read aloud, with colorful cartoon-style artwork that adds to the sense of fun. Author Eric Litwin, who is also a song-writer, created the Pete the Cat song, which readers can listen to on the HarperCollins website. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed the first book about Pete the Cat, or to anyone looking for children's stories just made for reading aloud.

  • PATRICK

    I work with children with special needs now and this is my students' favorite book and mine too. "I'm rockin!!! In my school shoes!!"

  • Zoe

    An amazing book for young readers and cat lovers! Pete The Cat is always so laid back and positive, and a great influence!! 😸😺

    Hands down 5 stars, amazing book!

  • Erik D

    Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin (2011) Illustrated by James Dean
    Join Pete the cat as he rocks his school shoes through the classroom, library, lunchroom, playground, and even the bus! Written by author, musician, and song-writer Eric Litwin, the reading of the book evokes a musical tune as Pete’s “rocking his school shoes” refrain is repeated at every location he visits. Beautifully illustrated with paintings by James Dean, the lines, color, and texture transport readers to Pete’s side on his journey through school with his special shoes. The illustrations vary in perspective from wide angles to zoom-in shots as well as multiple collages that allow readers to see just how busy Pete the cat is rocking his school shoes. Text fonts vary in size and color and serve to accentuate the illustrations as well set up a visually easy-to-read storyline. Inside covers of the book display Pete on the bus, and the outside hard-covers of the book reviewed, were colorful and have an eye-catching glossy finish. While this book has the approximate page count typical of a picture book. It is important to note that none of the pages are numbered. This might be problematic with young readers learning numbers and sequences, but it does not detract from the book aesthetically or from a storyline/arc perspective. A fun-to-read book with lively, colorful artwork, and one of the many Pete the Cat books in a large series, this book would make a good addition to any primary school library or kindergarten class.
    Awards: South Carolina Book Award for Picture Book (2014), Monarch Award (2013)
    Target Audience: Pre-k to 2nd grade or ages 3-7

  • Halley Todd

    Pete the cat is just too cool while he is in school. Pete is just beginning school, and has some truly awesome school shoes that he is obsessed with. All day long as he discovers new things about school, he never worries or gets intimidated because he has not done something before, mostly because he knows his school shoes are cool. This story incorporates great practices for younger readers by including questions about where Pete is (i.e. the library, the lunchroom). The rhyming of the words gives the story a fun energy, and the reader can't help but to try and mimic Pete's cool attitude when reading out loud. The sounds makes it so easy. The pictures add to the story by illustrating the rooms that the text is describing, so if a young reader doesn't know the word, he will understand by looking at the pictures. The pictures also add humor into the story by adding things, like a kitty door into the back of the school bus. The pictures themselves add to the laid-backness of the story by not being perfect. The lines are fuzzy, and the color isn't always inside the lines, which can be comforting to a young reader who somehow just can't always color in the lines. This story will appeal to both young boys and girls, and will especially help children that are scared to begin school to get over their fears. They will remember how Pete didn't worry at all that day. This book is highly recommended for readers ages 4 to 7.

  • The Library Lady

    I am giving this a one star review in protest of the zillions of librarians and teachers who apparently have been brainwashed into thinking this is anything but well publicized mediocrity.

    I have bought this and the rest in the series because they are on the NY Times bestseller list and I therefore have had a few (and let me emphasize a "few") patrons ask for them. And I don't have the excuse of them being related to a TV show/movie or containing any fold outs, lift the flaps or other assorted gizmos.

    So buy them I have. But this is not a series I expect to see on the shelf for years along with the Sendaks, the Galdones, the McCloskeys and the other books good enough to become classics.

    They will be read for a few years, they will wear out and they will be weeded out. And odds are, by then, they will be out of print.

  • Laura

    “Here comes Pete
    strolling down the street,
    rocking red shoes
    on his four furry feet.”



    Pete completely charmed the socks (and shoes) off of me! :D From that look in his eyes to his cool, cool ways, Pete’s story made me giggle and grin from ear to ear!

    Pete’s tale of jumping right into new things and adventures will show readers of any age how we can land on our feet if we relax and go with the flow!


    4/25/12

  • Joy

    My grade schooler thought this book was hilarious. He loves cats and we read this right before school started again. I love the positivity of Pete the Cat- no first day of school jitters for him as he sings his song and rocks the whole day in his fabulous red shoes. It’s a wonderful back-to-school book for young kids, and especially encouraging for kindergartners.

  • Eyehavenofilter

    Pete has returned with some hot to trot shoes... So so cute and attracting much attention both positive and negative... Maybe some are jealous... Who's to say... But as usual Pete wins the daddy cause he's PETE! And we love him!
    This is a way for kids to get to know him better and to know themselves better as well.

  • JoyAnn

    I hope I remember this book when my kids start Kindergarten or if the ever have to switch schools. It's so positive and fun and could really put young kids at ease that are transitioning at a school. "Does Pete worry? Goodness, no!" And the repetitive song throughout is fun for read alouds (or should I say sing alouds).