Judith Abernethy
theusreview.com
Where Is Pete? by Judith G. Abernethy Xlibris book review by Toby Berry
"...And Pete's family had their picnics at the tree from then on..."
We want to encourage kids to love nature. And though we don't want books that frighten them, we do want children to have a healthy respect for the forest, including the inherent risks therein. Abernethy, a former sustainability educator, nails it. Her book, illustrated in forest and earth tone colors, shows and tells about a family that regularly goes picnicking to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of Mother Nature while enjoying their meals and one another. Their son gets bored and sours on the outings as young children sometimes do. Wandering off, he finds himself wet, cold, shoeless, and fearful. He isn't found until he finally hunkers down, thereby allowing his family to find him. Remember the "hug a tree" lesson?
This book is exceptional because it isn't just about picnicking and remembering to hug a tree when lost. The family, together, shows their love and concern for family members. Being reminded of the security and unremitting love of family brings added comfort to children. What lengths would my family go to not only keep me but keep me safe? This family tiptoes past a bear to find their boy. This wonderful book reminds kids to take care but leaves them feeling secure and loved rather than terrified. The words and messages are simple. Preschoolers can enjoy this book when read to them, and precocious ones could even read parts of it themselves. First graders, with a little practice, will enjoy the self-confidence of reading a whole book. The font is big and inviting, as is everything else about this charming book.
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Pacific Book Review
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Author Judith G. Abernethy highlights a very important message to children in her illustrated book Where Is Pete? As a family is having a picnic outdoors, they suddenly realize their young son, Pete, is missing. At first they think he’s hiding under the table, or in the bushes, but as they look around they cannot find Pete. Their search widens to a log, where they come across a skunk; to a cave where they see a sleeping bear; to the riverside where they find one of Pete’s sneakers. All comes to a happy ending in this book, however in real life happy endings are not always the norm. Too many kids go missing for days on end, causing much distress for the parents and family, and a hardship on the locals as search parties are formed – not to mention the life threatening experience to the lost kid!
The problem of children disappearing, whether getting lost on their own or purposely playing a hide-and-seek game, is a dangerous situation occurring many times each year. Where Is Pete? brings the risk of being lost to children to mind and telling of a way to solve the problem in a bedside book; educating kids on the right way to be found if they ever do get lost. Stay in one place – is the secret. If everyone is moving it may be hard to find each other but if one stays in the same spot, the others will eventually find them.
The illustrations show a family seeking to find Pete, with an ever increasing stressful look on their faces. Luckily, as Pete’s intentions were not to be hidden but he was lost, any disciplinary actions on behalf of his parents were thwarted, and they all enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon, hanging out under the tree where they found Pete.
Where Is Pete? is a story which needs to be told, and understood, by children and parents, offering a methodology of being found should they ever become separated while outdoors. Good advice, accepted by all will make this a potentially life-saving lesson. This is a fine book for all families to read together, and a good lesson to be learned.