I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay

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 EXPLAIN HOW TO TEACH OPINION ESSAYS

In a short, informative video, Darcy Pattison explains how to teach opinion essays with this book: mimshouse.com/writing-opinion-essays/

Author: Darcy Pattison
Publisher: Mims House
Published: 01/08/2015
Pages: 34
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.69lbs
Size: 8.50h x 8.50w x 0.25d
ISBN: 9781629440323
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 05/01/2015 pg. 90

About the Author
Pattison, Darcy: - Published in nine languages, children's book author and writing teacher DARCY PATTISON has been published with Harcourt, Philomel/Penguin, Harpercollins, Arbordale, and Mims House. Her books received recognition for excellence with starred reviews in Kirkus, BCCB and PW. Twice her books have been honored as National Science Teacher's Association Outstanding Science Trade books. The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman (Harcourt) received an Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature Honor Book award, was named a Notable Book in Language Arts, and has been reprinted in a Houghton Mifflin textbook.O'Neill, Ewa: - Ewa O'Neill (ewaoneill.com) live in England with her husband and twin sons.

This title is not returnable