<p><strong>***NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book 2015***</strong><br /> <strong>A POIGNANT STORY OF LOSS AND SURVIVAL</strong></p> <p>In the midst of a sugar cane field, within sight of skyscrapers, a mother puma was raising her cubs. Feeding growing cubs is difficult in an urban environment. One night, she found easy prey, chickens. The angry chicken farmer set an illegal trap and caught the mother puma. She didn't survive. Now, the search was on for orphaned cubs. Would the scientists be able to find the cubs before their time runs out?</p> <p>This touching story brings to life the increasing difficulty of wildlife to survive as cities encroach on their habitats. Cutting edge environmental scientists are working to create wildlife corridors, or safe travel zones from one wild spot to another. Until they succeed, Abayomi's tragic story will play out over and over.</p> <p>In this "Biography in Text and Art," Harvill takes original photos as references to create accurate wildlife illustrations. These aren't generic cats, but one particular individual in detail. Pattison's careful research, vetted by scientists in the field, brings to life this this true story of an infant cub that must face a complicated world. Alone.</p> <p>Named a <strong>2015 National Science Teacher's Association Outstanding Science Trade Book</strong>, it includes information on the puma species and the conservation efforts in Brazil.</p> <p>Read this heartwarming story of an orphaned puma cub and be inspired.</p> <p><strong>OTHER BOOKS BY PATTISON/HARVILL</strong><br /> <strong><em>Wisdom, the Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and Other Disasters for Over 60 Years</em></strong><br /> <strong>Starred Publisher's Weekly Review</strong></p> <ul> <li>." . .Pattison writes crisply and evocatively. . ."</li> <li>"Harvill contributes carefully detailed and naturalistic illustrations. . ."</li> </ul> <p><strong>FROM THE AUTHOR</strong></p> <p>One of the most amazing things about Abayomi's story is that he was born within sight of skyscrapers, in a very urban world. Yet the farmer who owned the land where he was born said he had never, in his 40 years of farming, seen a puma. It struck me that they are invisible in the land. And the tables are turned: in order for Abayomi to successfully return to the wild, the scientists must remain invisible. I also love that Kitty Harvill, the illustrator of my last nature book for kids, WISDOM, THE MIDWAY ALBATROSS, returned to work on this book. Her illustrations are awesome.</p>
<p><strong>The Cat of Her Dreams!</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p>Mellie writes an opinion essay for her teacher, Mr. Eagle. But will her essay convince her parents to get the cat of her dreams?</p> <p>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?</p> <p>This story hits many notes: </p> <ul> <li>A family story about cousins, Dennis and Mellie</li> <li>Information on dog breeds</li> <li>Responsible cat ownership</li> <li>Mentor-text for teaching writing</li> <li>Model opinion essay for elementary students</li> <li>Models the writing process, especially the importance of pre-writing or planning before you write</li> <li>Completes the writing process by showing the results of Dennis's essay</li> </ul> <p><em>I WANT A CAT</em> 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.</p> <p><strong>See other books in THE READ AND WRITE series: </strong></p> <ul> <li>I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay</li> <li>My Crazy Dog: My Narrative Essay</li> <li>My Dirty Dog: My Informative Essay (forthcoming)</li> </ul> <p><strong>WATCH DARCY PATTISON EXPLAIN HOW TO TEACH OPINION ESSAYS</strong></p> <p>In a short, informative video, Darcy Pattison explains how to teach opinion essays with this book: mimshouse.com/writing-opinion-essays/</p>