When Were Pete the Cat Books Published?
The first Pete the Cat children’s book was self-published in 2008, with HarperCollins releasing it nationally in March 2010. The series now includes 87+ books published between 2008 and 2025.
The Three Publishing Eras of Pete the Cat
Pete the Cat’s journey from folk art to bestselling franchise spans three distinct periods, each marked by different creative teams and publishing approaches.
The Origin Years: 1999-2008
James Dean created Pete the Cat in 1999 after adopting a black kitten from a Georgia animal shelter. Despite initially thinking black cats brought bad luck, Dean took Pete home after the cat pawed playfully at him through the cage. This cat became the inspiration for thousands of paintings Dean would create over the following years.
In 2006, Dean self-published “The Misadventures of Pete the Cat,” a coffee table book showcasing his folk art. This wasn’t a children’s story—it was a collection of Pete paintings that Dean sold at art festivals and galleries across the Southeast. The book caught the attention of Eric Litwin, a musician and former special education teacher from Atlanta.
Litwin saw something different in Dean’s blue cat character. He wrote a story and song about Pete’s white shoes, and the two artists began collaborating. In 2008, they self-published “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” as a children’s picture book. Dean and Litwin printed 7,000 copies and divided them—Dean sold his half at weekend art shows while Litwin performed the story-song at schools.
The self-published edition sold all 7,000 copies within 10 months. A viral YouTube video showing two young girls reading the book alerted HarperCollins to Pete’s growing popularity. Dean received a publishing offer on his 51st birthday in 2008.
The Breakthrough Period: 2010-2012
HarperCollins released “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” nationally on March 2, 2010. The book climbed to number 8 on the New York Times bestseller list for picture books. Its success came from Litwin’s musical storytelling approach—each book included a downloadable song that teachers and parents could sing with children.
Between 2010 and 2012, the Dean-Litwin partnership produced four books:
“Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” (HarperCollins, March 2010)
The book that started it all, teaching children that staying positive matters more than keeping things perfect. Pete steps in strawberries, blueberries, and mud, but keeps singing his song.
“Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes” (2011)
Pete’s first day at school becomes an adventure through the library, cafeteria, and playground. The Georgia State Senate and House of Representatives recognized Litwin and the book in a March 2012 resolution.
“Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” (2012)
Pete’s buttons pop off one by one, but he keeps finding reasons to sing. This book won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award in 2013.
“Pete the Cat Saves Christmas” (Fall 2012)
Pete fills in for an ill Santa Claus, delivering presents around the world. This was the final collaboration between Dean and Litwin.
By 2013, these four books had sold 3.5 million copies and spent more than 180 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. The series had been translated into multiple languages and won 19 literacy awards.
The partnership ended in 2012 due to what both parties described as “creative differences.” Dean wanted to work with other writers, including his wife Kimberly. Litwin believed he should remain the sole writer for Pete books. The two artists stopped speaking and have not worked together since.
The Expansion Era: 2013-Present
James Dean partnered with his wife, Kimberly Dean, starting in 2013. Kimberly had been collaborating with James on Pete concepts since 2004, but their early attempts at working together had caused friction in their marriage. James later said it had “became a sad thing in our marriage; we wouldn’t even talk about it.”
After the split with Litwin, the Deans tried again. Kimberly’s first published Pete the Cat book, “Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses,” came out in October 2013. She had previously worked for the Governor’s Press Office in Georgia and brought different storytelling sensibilities to the series.
Under the Deans’ authorship, Pete the Cat expanded rapidly. The series grew from 4 books to more than 87 titles, including:
- Picture books for ages 3-7
- “I Can Read” early readers
- Board books for toddlers
- Holiday and seasonal titles
- Activity books with stickers
- Chapter books for older readers
The books also shifted in style. Litwin’s original four books featured consistent rhyme schemes and downloadable songs. Many readers and educators noted that the post-2012 books moved away from musical storytelling toward traditional prose narratives. Some praised the expanded range of stories and formats; others felt the series lost its rhythmic magic.
By 2016, the Pete the Cat series had sold more than 11 million copies and spent over 200 weeks on bestseller lists. The series expanded beyond books into television, stage musicals, merchandise, and licensing deals.
Commercial Success and Cultural Impact
The Pete the Cat phenomenon demonstrates how a character can outlive any single creative team. The series’ growth accelerated after 2013, though opinions differ on whether quality kept pace with quantity.
Sales Milestones:
- 2008: 7,000 self-published copies
- 2013: 3.5 million copies (4 books)
- 2016: 11+ million copies
- 2024: 16+ million copies across all Litwin and Dean titles combined
Recognition:
- 200+ weeks on New York Times bestseller lists
- Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award
- 26 literacy awards (Litwin’s books)
- Named to “25 Books All Young Georgians Should Read” (2010)
The Georgia Center for the Book added “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” to its essential reading list in 2010, cementing Pete’s status in children’s literature.
Beyond Books: Television and Theater
Amazon Prime released an animated Pete the Cat series on September 21, 2018. Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, co-creator of “Phineas and Ferb,” developed the show. The series featured celebrity voices including Jacob Tremblay as Pete, with Elvis Costello and Diana Krall as his parents.
The show ran for two seasons through March 2022, with multiple holiday specials. TheatreWorksUSA created two Pete the Cat stage musicals that toured elementary schools and theaters across North America.
Understanding the Publication Timeline
If you’re trying to determine when a specific Pete the Cat book was published, the authorship provides a clue:
Books by James Dean and Eric Litwin (2008-2012):
These are the original four titles, published between the self-published 2008 edition and HarperCollins’ 2012 releases. They follow a consistent musical format and rhyme scheme.
Books by James Dean and Kimberly Dean (2013-present):
Everything from 2013 onward bears Kimberly Dean’s co-authorship. These books comprise the vast majority of the series and explore diverse formats and storytelling styles.
For collectors and educators, this distinction matters. The original Litwin books remain in print and are often specifically requested for their sing-along format and rhyming text. Many teachers prefer them for music and literacy integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the very first Pete the Cat book published?
“The Misadventures of Pete the Cat” (2006) was technically first, but it was an art book for adults. The first children’s book was “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes,” self-published in 2008 and released by HarperCollins in 2010.
Why did Eric Litwin stop writing Pete the Cat books?
Litwin and James Dean ended their partnership in 2012 due to creative differences. Dean wanted to collaborate with other writers including his wife, while Litwin felt he should be the exclusive Pete the Cat author.
How many Pete the Cat books exist?
As of 2025, there are 87+ Pete the Cat books published. The original Dean-Litwin collaboration produced 4 books. James and Kimberly Dean have written the remaining 83+ titles.
Are the newer Pete books different from the originals?
The original four books by Litwin follow a musical, rhyming format with downloadable songs. Books by Kimberly and James Dean use various formats including traditional prose, and some readers note stylistic differences in rhythm and storytelling approach.
The Pete the Cat series represents one of those rare children’s book phenomena where commercial success came from grassroots enthusiasm. Parents and teachers discovered the self-published book, shared it, and created demand that major publishers couldn’t ignore. Whether you prefer the original musical quartet or appreciate the expanded universe, Pete’s journey from shelter cat to cultural icon happened because two artists—Dean and Litwin—created something that resonated. The character proved bigger than any single creative team.
Sources:
- Wikipedia: Pete the Cat
- HarperCollins Children’s Books publication records
- Children’s Book Council official Pete the Cat page
- Santa Fe New Mexican: “The real story of Pete the Cat begins at a shelter in Georgia” (2013)
- Eric Litwin official website
- Pete the Cat official website (petethecatbooks.com)