I Want a Cat

The Cat of Her Dreams!
When cousins Mellie and Dennis decide to get a cat, they consider carefully what breed would be best for each family. For example, Mellie wants a cat that pounces, but Dennis wants a lazy cat, like his lazy dog, Clark Kent. Mellie wants a lap cat, but Dennis just wants a warm body BESIDE him. They consider different cat personalities, family situations, and personal preferences.

Mellie writes an opinion essay for her teacher, Mr. Eagle. But will her essay convince her parents to get the cat of her dreams?
This children's picture book takes a popular subject-kids getting a pet-and adds cats of all sizes and shapes: all writing lessons should be this much fun. In the end, it's the cousins and the cats that keep a reader turning the page. What kind of cat will Mellie choose? Will Dennis want the same kind of cat?
This story hits many notes:
A family story about cousins, Dennis and Mellie
Information on dog breeds
Responsible cat ownership
Mentor-text for teaching writing
Model opinion essay for elementary students
Models the writing process, especially the importance of pre-writing or planning before you write
Completes the writing process by showing the results of Dennis's essay
I WANT A CAT almost makes opinion essays look too easy. But it works on many other levels, as well. Younger kids will be excited to learn the differences between dogs and will laugh at the antics of the dogs. Elementary kids will rejoice in a story of cousins (and will write the best essays ever!). A universal dream - a great pet - becomes an engaging writing lesson.
See other books in THE READ AND WRITE series:

I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay
My Crazy Dog: My Narrative Essay
My Dirty Dog: My Informative Essay (forthcoming)
WATCH DARCY PATTISON DISCUSS HOW TO TEACH OPINION ESSAYS
In this 20-minute video, author Darcy Pattison explains how to use this book to teach opinion essays: mimshouse.com/writing-opinion-essays/