Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival, by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery (Wlker & Company, 2008, $16.99, 32 pages, pre-school to grade 3)
Kids today may not know about Hurricane Katrina so this is a great conversation-starter as well as a lovely story that will resonate with everyone in the family.
Neither Bobbi the dog nor Bob Cat has a tail. Do you think that is what brought them together? Did they always live together or did they find each other in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina?
When the water rose and people had to evacuate, Bobbi was tied to a chain and Bob Cat stayed with him. They waited for help to come. And waited. And waited. Streets turned into rivers. Bobbi managed to break free and he and Bob Cat roamed the city looking for food and a home - together.
Four months later, they finally found their way to a make-shift animal shelter where Bobbi was put in the dog room and Bob Cat, in the cat room - but neither animal would settle for being apart and showed that by pacing and howling and barking until they once again shared a kennel.
What is a Seeing-Eye Dog? And Where Does That Fit in This Story?
A month later, the make-shift shelter closed but our two friends remained. Before being transported to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, the two friends were 'interviewed' on Anderson Cooper's TV show and the applications poured in!
But it would take a special family to take both Bobbi and Bob Cat. Would they ever find their forever home - together? And why did they have to stay together?
Words and Pictures Together Make an Unforgettable Experience
Children's books contain both words and pictures but which is more important? It may depend on the age of the child as he grows from the pictures into the words, but still keeping the pictures in mind.
The story, always, is important, for the words help a young reader create the pictures in his mind and insert himself into the world of the book - and into the action! But also the pictures, if they are realistic can start the creative juices flowing in a young mind.
When a book has both great words (a memorable story) plus wonderful illustrations, it is truly a book to keep.
Two Bobbies is a lovely story that young readers and the entire family will want to keep. As a bonus, it even starts a history lesson conversation about Hurricane Katrina.
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