10 Engaging Picture Books for Fans of Pete the Cat
by Lindsay Barrett
Some books end up permanently shelved alongside the memories we have of reading them. I’ve read Pete the Cat books to countless children over the years, but one group of former preschool students will forever be my “Pete the Cat Class.” Every day for months, Pete’s musical love for his shoes lured those kiddos away from whatever else they were immersed in and brought them to the circle time rug. If your little ones enjoy the catchy language, cheerful characters, and upbeat themes of Pete the Cat books, they’ll love this list of kid-approved titles just as much.
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Llama Llama Red Pajama
Available from:This first book in a classic series rivals Pete the Cat for its repeat-reading potential. (Like, toddlers will beg to hear it again, and again, and again, and again.) Little Llama is lonely in his bed and just wants his mom’s attention. With a firm reminder about being patient and an extra dose of Mama love, he finally snuggles up to sleep.
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Uh-Oh, Rollo!
Available from:New readers will gravitate to Rollo just like they do to the humor and repeating lines of Pete the Cat books. Funny illustrations of bulldog Rollo getting into all kinds of (mostly messy) situations makes the simple text engaging.
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Maisy Goes on Vacation
Available from:Just like Pete the Cat, Maisy books offer dependable characters, relatable content, and recognizable illustrations. With scores of titles about childhood experiences, from going on vacation to outings, celebrations, sports, and milestones, there’s a Maisy book for every child’s interest!
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Here Comes Teacher Cat
Available from:Cat isn’t sure about serving as a substitute teacher at the kitten school and wonders why someone else can’t take the job. The illustrations invite kids to help tell the story as Cat ends up successfully leading the kittens through a noisy, messy, and FUN day at school.
Also check out Here Comes Santa Cat, Here Comes Valentine Cat, Here Comes the Easter Cat, and Here Comes the Tooth Fairy Cat.Also available from: -
Find Fergus
Available from:This hilarious title shares Pete’s broad appeal and optimistic tone. Fergus, the bear, keeps trying to hide — without much success. With the narrator’s encouragement, Fergus gets stealthier, and the book becomes a fun seek-and-find story.
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I Found a Kitty!
Available from:Here’s a sweet new title for animal-lovers from the author of the equally endearing Can I Be Your Dog? It stars a big-hearted dog, Arfy, who starts a letter-writing campaign to find Scamper the kitten a new home. It takes a while to find the perfect fit, but Arfy and Scamper never give up hope. It's a top choice for those that like books with warm, fuzzy endings.
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There's a Dinosaur on the 13th Floor
Available from:Mr. Snore checks into the Sharemore Hotel, eager for bed. As he climbs from floor to floor, searching for a quiet place to sleep, he finds something wrong with each room. That is, until he reaches the thirteenth floor. It’s a lovely story with a sweet plot twist, while Kevin Hawkes's illustrations are magnificent and full of detail.
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Bruno, the Standing Cat
Available from:There’s a spunky new feline in town. Bruno, the cat, shows up in a box on Peter’s doorstep one day, and the two become fast friends. The unexpected descriptions of Bruno will tickle young readers’ imaginations. Rather than walk on all fours, scratch, and catch mice, he prefers to stand upright, host make-believe tea parties, skateboard, and chew bubble gum. Pure fun!
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Stretchy McHandsome
Available from:Stretchy McHandsome is the youngest in a big, raucous, feline clan. Tired of being at the bottom of the pile, he sets out on his own. He soon meets his human kindred spirit, Beanie McBright. The heartwarming ending celebrates both friendship and family — and, of course, cats!
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Soaked!
Available from:Bear hates the rain. It ruins his ice cream, and he can’t even find his bumblebee umbrella. When his friend Moose invites him to try hula hooping, the rain turns out to be a splish-splashy good time. Pete would approve of this story’s zany fun and the message about looking on the bright side.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2024.