Two Bobbies

K-Gr 3—When hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, the loss of life and property was great. The impact on pets was often just as dramatic. Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery based their award-winning book (Walker, 2008) on the true story of a cat and a dog that teamed up to survive. Both had bobbed tails, hence the names they were given at the animal shelter where they were eventually placed. The authors can only speculate on why Bobcat and Bobbie were left behind, and how they survived before being befriended by a construction worker months after the hurricane. The discovery that Bobcat was blind only enhanced this remarkable tale of friendship. Both animals were eventually adopted by a woman in Oregon where they live today. The authors take turns reading their evocative book. Gentle background music and some sound effects enhance the production as Jean Cassel's warm, detailed gouache illustrations are scanned iconographically. The "After the Storm" epilogue has been augmented with additional photographs of Bobcat and Bobbie in their new home. The production also includes brief interviews in which the authors discuss the writing process, the challenges and joys of shared writing, and the source of their inspiration. This excellent story will be enjoyed in classroom situations.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA