Pete the Cat Saves Christmas (Pete the Cat)

When Santa falls ill just before Christmas, who's the first number on his speed dial? Pete the Cat, of course. Standing on his surfboard, staring out with the deadpan expression readers will recognize from his previous books, Pete agrees to make Santa's Christmas Eve deliveries; before long the reindeer are strapped to Pete's red minibus ("Then the minibus flew, just like in a movie./ Pete the Cat cried, 'This is totally groovy!' "). Despite Pete's ongoing anxieties about being too small for the job, there aren't any hiccups along the way, making for a gently off-kilter but fairly straightforward story. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

PreS-Gr 1—With a rhythmic nod to "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," this book is sure to become a favorite. It's Christmas Eve and Santa is ill, so he asks Pete to deliver the presents. "Road trip!" cries the cat in his characteristically groovy way as he hops in his minibus. Even though he is quite small, the oh-so-cool feline gives it his all and gets the job done. Watercolor, acrylic, and ink illustrations in bright holiday colors are fresh and fun, while a singsong refrain focuses on giving to others. Don't miss Pete in a Santa hat driving his van past the moon pulled by eight reindeer: "Then the minibus flew, just like in a movie. Pete the Cat cried, 'This is totally groovy!'" Indeed it is.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library