Two Bobbies

By: Kirby Larson, Mary Nethery, Jean Casselsy

Publisher: Walker & Company

Copyright: 2008

When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, many family pets were left homeless and alone. This book tells the journey of two animals, Bobbi the dog and Bob Cat the cat, and how their struggle to survival can be inspirational to us all. Their loyalty to each other while roaming the debris covered streets, until they finally made it to an animal shelter, where they were separated. After both animals were restless and groan the whole night they volunteers at the shelter put the animals together and they were calm. The volunteers discovered that Bob Cat was blind and Bobbi worked as his seeing eye dog. This story highlights the importance of friendship and finding a place to call home.

Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud

Lexile Level: AD810L

Key Vocabulary: Hurricane Katrina, Mardi Gras, debris, shelter, volunteers, blind, eye seeing dog, Mississippi, New Orleans

Web Resources:

Official Website: Students can read about how Bobbi and Bob Cat are doing and read about the authors http://www.twobobbies.com/bobbies.htm

Reading Guide to Use: http://www.bloomsburykids.com/sites/dev.bloomsburykids.com/files/Two%20Bobbies%20Classroom%20Activities.pdf

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Discuss question with students: What is a hurricane? Where did Hurricane Katrina hit? (Show map of the United States) Did Hurricane Katrina cause a lot of damage? Show students CNN Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeWf0mdQqm8

After Reading: Discuss with students about animal shelters. Does your town have an animal shelter? More than one? Why do you think animals end up in shelters? Why is it important to spay and neuter dogs and cats? Have students write in their journals and answer the question If you could adopt any animal into your family, what kind of animal would you choose? Why?

Writing: Students will write a story about a time when they had a friend be very loyal to them or About a time when they were loyal to a friend. Students will explain the events building up to the situation.