He says positively affecting children’s lives is his number one priority, and he is grateful to have such an amazing audience to work for. James is humbled every day by the success that this groovy blue cat has brought him. Now, James has helped create over 70 Pete the Cat books, including many NYT Bestsellers. In 2008, James partnered with Eric Litwin to create the first Pete the Cat children’s book, Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes. The little blue cat showed up as a character in James’ artwork around 1999 and has been a permanent fixture ever since. It was during this time that he began creating paintings and drawing of his cat, Pete. Eventually, he was called to pursue his art full-time and began selling his work at art festivals around the Southeast. James earned his degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University and went on to work for Georgia Power for a number of years. His passion for drawing became apparent at a young age, and as a child, you could find James drawing his favorite characters like Snoopy and Yogi Bear. To learn more, contact Stacy Penaranda in the Georgetown office at 30.įor details about volunteering with Read Aloud Delaware, go to Dean is a self-taught artist originally from Fort Payne, Alabama. “We know that the kids love Pete!”Īny child care center, preschool or kindergarten class that is not already associated with Read Aloud Delaware but is interested in having a visit from Pete the Cat is encouraged to consider becoming a partner. “We’re excited to offer a new, creative way to get children excited about reading,” said Stacy Penaranda, Read Aloud Delaware Sussex County director. There are currently 165 active volunteers reading at 26 sites in Sussex County. The statewide children’s literacy program is dedicated to ensuring that each preschool child in the state is regularly read to one-on-one.

The characters spend some time with the students, and Pete’s pal reads one of the many “Pete the Cat” books written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean. Now, Pete the Cat is coming to life in Sussex County child care centers, preschools and kindergartens thanks to the efforts of volunteers from Read Aloud Delaware.įunded by a general grant from the Freeman Foundation, Pete the Cat, accompanied by one of his pals, is making the rounds at Read Aloud Delaware partner sites, at no extra cost to the sites. “Pete is one of the most recognizable characters in children’s literature today.” “Pete the Cat books are among the most requested by our students,” said PJ Kotowski, a Read Aloud Delaware volunteer. Ask any preschoolers, “Who has white shoes, four groovy buttons and is rocking in his school shoes?” and they will happily answer, “That’s Pete the Cat!”

Eric litwin reading pete the cat