Disco Cat! Pete the Cat And The Cool Cat Boogie by Kimberly and James Dean

PETE THE CAT IS LEARNING A NEW DANCE--THE COOL CAT BOOGIE.

Pete's got Saturday Night Fever. At least he's got the suit and the pose. All he needs now is to learn to do the dance.

Grumpy Toad comes along to act as resident critic.

"I DIG THE SONG, BUT YOU DANCE ALL WRONG!" HE SAYS.

Pete doesn't say anything, but Grumpy's criticism hits home. Pete has always had his own rhythm, but now his confidence is shaken.

That night he can't sleep. How can he be Pete if he can't groove to the beat? It makes him sad to be bad!

Pete asks Squirrel how he dances, and Squirrel invites him to cha-cha-cha. Pete steps all over his partner's feet. Gus gets off the bus and offers to show Pete his steps, but Pete swings too far out and bops Gus on his big bill. Turtle volunteers to show off his spins, but Pete's turn goes out of control and he slips and trips. It's embarrassing!

Has Pete lost the beat? Has he suddenly acquired two left feet? Is his groove gone for good?

Of course not, in Kimberley and James Dean's latest Pete the Cat picture book, Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie (Harper, 2017), as Owl observes that he has to stop thinking too much, listen to the music, and let nature take its course.  Pete puts on his dancing shoes, and just like rockin' in his red shoes and struttin' his school shoes, suddenly he's got disco-dancin' fever! With a gentle premise of being true to your own style, this story comes with dance steps for young readers who want to boogie down and dance along. As always, Dean's simple and bright faux naif illustrations tell the story will elan and verve.