Parents' Guide to

Pete the Cat's 12 Groovy Days of Christmas

By Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Pete gives his kind of gifts in sweet, fun carol reboot.

Book James Dean, Kimberly Dean Holiday 2018
Pete the Cat's 12 Groovy Days of Christmas Poster Image

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What's the Story?

In PETE THE CAT'S 12 GROOVY DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, the laid-back kitty takes his animal friends on a "road trip to the sea," giving a gift to each one he picks up in his yellow minibus. The text echos the cadence and repetition of the familiar "Twelve Days of Christmas" carol, but the gifts reflect Pete's style and personality, from "4 far-out surfboards" to "7 concert tickets" and "9 ugly sweaters." The collection of animals he transports gets funnier by the page, too, including "10 sloths a-sleeping"! They finally reach the beach on the 12th day, where we see "12 friends a-rockin'."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Fans of Pete the Cat will love the crazy Christmas fun of Pete and his animal buddies, including an alligator, platypus, turtle, frog, and mouse. But anyone familiar with the "Twelve Days of Christmas" carol will get a kick out of Pete's version of the lyrics, especially "5 onion rings" in place of the traditional golden ones. In Pete the Cat's 12 Groovy Days of Christmas, Pete brings his laid-back good vibes to his friends and takes the reader along on this fun road trip from snow to sand.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about changing the lyrics to a traditional carol in Pete the Cat's 12 Groovy Days of Christmas. What's fun about singing Christmas carols each year? What's fun about changing the familiar lyrics?

  • What do you like about the art in Pete the Cat books? How can you tell Pete's having fun when his expression doesn't change much?

  • Which page do you like best? Which of the gifts the animals get is something you'd like to have?

Book Details

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