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Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival
from Newbery award winning author Kirby Larson comes a remarkable true story of the devotion, friendship, and survival of two pets left behind in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In the tradition of Owen and Mzee, this beautiful picture book is a testament to the spirit that defined post-Katrina rescue missions.
During Hurricane Katrina, evacuating New Orleans residents were forced to leave their pets behind. Bobbi the dog was initially chained to keep her safe, but after her owners failed to return, she had to break free. For months, Bobbi wandered the city's ravaged streets-dragging her chain behind her-followed by her feline companion, Bob Cat. After months of hunger and struggle, the Two Bobbies were finally rescued by a construction worker helping to rebuild the city. When he brought them to a shelter, volunteers made an amazing discovery about the devoted friends-Bob Cat was actually blind! He had survived the aftermath of the storm by following the sound Bobbi's chain made as she dragged it along the ground.
At the shelter, the two bob-tailed friends refused to be parted, even for a moment. Could rescue workers find the Bobbies' owners? Or could they find a new home that would take them together?
During Hurricane Katrina, evacuating New Orleans residents were forced to leave their pets behind. Bobbi the dog was initially chained to keep her safe, but after her owners failed to return, she had to break free. For months, Bobbi wandered the city's ravaged streets-dragging her chain behind her-followed by her feline companion, Bob Cat. After months of hunger and struggle, the Two Bobbies were finally rescued by a construction worker helping to rebuild the city. When he brought them to a shelter, volunteers made an amazing discovery about the devoted friends-Bob Cat was actually blind! He had survived the aftermath of the storm by following the sound Bobbi's chain made as she dragged it along the ground.
At the shelter, the two bob-tailed friends refused to be parted, even for a moment. Could rescue workers find the Bobbies' owners? Or could they find a new home that would take them together?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2008
10 people are currently reading
768 people want to read
About the author
Kirby Larson
48 books436 followersKirby Larson went from history-phobe to history fanatic while writing the 2007 Newbery Honor Book, HATTIE BIG SKY. Her passion for historical fiction is reflected in titles such as THE FENCES BETWEEN US, THE FRIENDSHIP DOLL, as well as the sequel to HATTIE BIG SKY, HATTIE EVER AFTER, and her two latest titles, DUKE--which was nominated for 5 state Young Reader Choice awards as well as being a finalist for the Washington State Book Award-- and DASH--which has garnered two starred reviews, a NAPPA Gold Award and a Capitol Choices nomination. She will have two new books out in 2016 -- watch for them!
In 2006, Kirby began a collaboration with her good friend Mary Nethery resulting in two award-winning nonfiction picture books: TWO BOBBIES: A TRUE STORY OF HURRICANE KATRINA, FRIENDSHIP AND SURVIVAL, and NUBS: THE TRUE STORY OF A MUTT, A MARINE AND A MIRACLE.
Kirby lives in Kenmore, Washington with her husband, Neil, and Winston the Wonder Dog. When she’s not reading or writing Kirby enjoys beach combing, bird watching, and traveling. She owns a tiara and is not afraid to use it.
In 2006, Kirby began a collaboration with her good friend Mary Nethery resulting in two award-winning nonfiction picture books: TWO BOBBIES: A TRUE STORY OF HURRICANE KATRINA, FRIENDSHIP AND SURVIVAL, and NUBS: THE TRUE STORY OF A MUTT, A MARINE AND A MIRACLE.
Kirby lives in Kenmore, Washington with her husband, Neil, and Winston the Wonder Dog. When she’s not reading or writing Kirby enjoys beach combing, bird watching, and traveling. She owns a tiara and is not afraid to use it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
May 12, 2018
I snuffled and blubbered my way through this heartwarming story about Bob Cat and a dog named Bobbi who braved the flood ravaged streets of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They somehow survived the elements for four long months before . . . well, you'll have to read it for yourself to find out.
You'll want to give your pet a hug when you're finished.
You'll want to give your pet a hug when you're finished.
November 20, 2008
7-10.The heartwarming true story of the unlikely friendship between Bobbie the dog and Bob Cat the cat and their survival following Hurricane Katrina. The two are peas in a pod, and both without tails.
*spoilers*
Although likely embellished at times (because who knows the real truth), they are inseparable following the storm and roam the streets of New Orleans for several months because getting rescued by a construction worker who brings them to a shelter. Bobbie was chained during the storm, the proof being the chain dragging on the ground behind him that Bob Cat seems to like. They refuse to be separated and it is then that the rescue discovers to Bobbie is acting as Bob Cat's seeing eye dog. However, the shelter is forced to shut down having not found them a home yet...so the animals are featured on CNN and the adoption requests flood in. They now happily live in Oregon on a ranch. A photo of the pair in the back is a nice touch tying the story to reality. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing what happened to their owners and why Bobbie was left chain outdoors during the storm.
*spoilers*
Although likely embellished at times (because who knows the real truth), they are inseparable following the storm and roam the streets of New Orleans for several months because getting rescued by a construction worker who brings them to a shelter. Bobbie was chained during the storm, the proof being the chain dragging on the ground behind him that Bob Cat seems to like. They refuse to be separated and it is then that the rescue discovers to Bobbie is acting as Bob Cat's seeing eye dog. However, the shelter is forced to shut down having not found them a home yet...so the animals are featured on CNN and the adoption requests flood in. They now happily live in Oregon on a ranch. A photo of the pair in the back is a nice touch tying the story to reality. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing what happened to their owners and why Bobbie was left chain outdoors during the storm.
March 14, 2012
I saw this mentioned in a friends review of another book - Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends if I'm not mistaken - and I had to check it out. When I looked on-line at my local library I saw there was a DVD also so I ordered both. The DVD happened to already be at my library so I was able to check it out right away. (We're still waiting for the book.)
I'm so, so happy I saw my friends review mentioning this. This is as lovely as it is sad. And it has a happy ending! I've found myself wondering quite a few times since watching this (we've watched it twice now in the past two days) how these two met. Were they already friends? Were they strangers who came together because they were both needed? Did Bobby pull Bobcat out of flood waters and save her life? I have so many questions, some of which can't be answered.
The boss at the construction company - he allows a worker to have one dog but not two dogs and a cat? I'd be honored and proud to employ someone who sees an animal in need and doesn't turn away. Then again, why do I expect everyone to be like me?
How were they left if they were owned? Bobby was tied to a porch, according to the movie, which also portrayed food left out. I honestly don't mean to judge but why did so many leave their animals? I'm sure I'll be slammed for this so let me say this upfront - no, I have never lived through something like Hurricane Katrina. Yes, I do think I know myself well enough to say, with a degree of certainty, what I'd do in 'x' situation. I'd put my dog on my back and swim through filthy floodwater - against the tide - if I had to. I'd swim back for more if need be. Basically I would do whatever was necessary to get my animal(s) out. I'd do whatever was necessary to get anyone's animals out. I dare say I'd do some 'unethical' things if need be.
Obviously there are things to be considered - maybe a pet owner was elderly, injured, etc. Okay. But it seems there were a lot of the able-bodied people leaving their animals behind as well.
Another thing I want to mention that will hopefully make someone out there think - why is it that when an animal lives through something like this or does something heroic - and is profiled on t.v./the newspaper - that everyone and their mom wants to adopt them? Do these people not know about the bursting to capacity animal shelters right down the street from every single one of them? Do they know the term 'high-hill shelter'? That bothers me to no end.
It's also worth pointing out that the authors noted how hundreds of people applied to adopt both Bobbies. One woman got in her car and drove through however many states to meet the two Bobbies. One. As far as I know she had no assurance she'd leave with these animals. Yet she went. None of the others did. I suppose both Bobbies should have been hand delivered to them. In short, most humans make me sick.
We read the book a few days after we watched the movie. The book goes hand-in-hand with the movie. They can go together or they can can be enjoyed separately. "Enjoy" is a strange word to use I guess but there's a happy ending for these two, not to mention their new owner, so I'll keep it.
I'm so, so happy I saw my friends review mentioning this. This is as lovely as it is sad. And it has a happy ending! I've found myself wondering quite a few times since watching this (we've watched it twice now in the past two days) how these two met. Were they already friends? Were they strangers who came together because they were both needed? Did Bobby pull Bobcat out of flood waters and save her life? I have so many questions, some of which can't be answered.
The boss at the construction company - he allows a worker to have one dog but not two dogs and a cat? I'd be honored and proud to employ someone who sees an animal in need and doesn't turn away. Then again, why do I expect everyone to be like me?
How were they left if they were owned? Bobby was tied to a porch, according to the movie, which also portrayed food left out. I honestly don't mean to judge but why did so many leave their animals? I'm sure I'll be slammed for this so let me say this upfront - no, I have never lived through something like Hurricane Katrina. Yes, I do think I know myself well enough to say, with a degree of certainty, what I'd do in 'x' situation. I'd put my dog on my back and swim through filthy floodwater - against the tide - if I had to. I'd swim back for more if need be. Basically I would do whatever was necessary to get my animal(s) out. I'd do whatever was necessary to get anyone's animals out. I dare say I'd do some 'unethical' things if need be.
Obviously there are things to be considered - maybe a pet owner was elderly, injured, etc. Okay. But it seems there were a lot of the able-bodied people leaving their animals behind as well.
Another thing I want to mention that will hopefully make someone out there think - why is it that when an animal lives through something like this or does something heroic - and is profiled on t.v./the newspaper - that everyone and their mom wants to adopt them? Do these people not know about the bursting to capacity animal shelters right down the street from every single one of them? Do they know the term 'high-hill shelter'? That bothers me to no end.
It's also worth pointing out that the authors noted how hundreds of people applied to adopt both Bobbies. One woman got in her car and drove through however many states to meet the two Bobbies. One. As far as I know she had no assurance she'd leave with these animals. Yet she went. None of the others did. I suppose both Bobbies should have been hand delivered to them. In short, most humans make me sick.
We read the book a few days after we watched the movie. The book goes hand-in-hand with the movie. They can go together or they can can be enjoyed separately. "Enjoy" is a strange word to use I guess but there's a happy ending for these two, not to mention their new owner, so I'll keep it.
November 28, 2019
An adorable and heart-warming picture book, Two Bobbies tells the true story of Bobbi the dog and Bob-Cat the cat, two abandoned pets who somehow survive the horrors of Hurricane Katrina. When the water begins to rise, and Bobbi is chained to her porch, Bob-Cat stays by her side. And when Bobbi finally breaks free, and the two wander the streets of New Orleans, the young puppy never abandons her blind feline friend. Together they endure the hardships of a natural disaster, together they are rescued, and together (finally) they find a new home...
Readers will no doubt be reminded of the story of Owen and Mzee, the baby hippopotamus and giant tortoise who bonded after the deadly 2004 tsunami ravaged the coast of Kenya. This is a similar tale of animal courage and loyalty, and will have animal lovers of all ages fighting a lump in their throat. Jean Cassels, herself a New Orleans resident, gives the story extra appeal with her charming illustrations.
As an aside, partial proceeds from the sale of the book will be given to the Best Friends Animal Society, whose rescuers are featured in the story.
Readers will no doubt be reminded of the story of Owen and Mzee, the baby hippopotamus and giant tortoise who bonded after the deadly 2004 tsunami ravaged the coast of Kenya. This is a similar tale of animal courage and loyalty, and will have animal lovers of all ages fighting a lump in their throat. Jean Cassels, herself a New Orleans resident, gives the story extra appeal with her charming illustrations.
As an aside, partial proceeds from the sale of the book will be given to the Best Friends Animal Society, whose rescuers are featured in the story.
November 8, 2012
I am an absolute sucker for these across animal species friendship stories! Checking it out for my boys.
A story of a cat and dog who survive Hurricane Katrina together. Four months later a worker on a construction crew begins feeding them. He trims the dogs chain, but leaves some because the cat seems to like following it. After feeding them for a week, his boss tells him that he has to get rid of them. The dog won't let him touch the cat, but he lures them in the van with food. He takes them to a shelter, where they are separated. The dog howled and barked all night long, while the cat paced. So the volunteers made a large pen and put the cat in in a carrier. The dog laid down in front and whimpered. They let the cat out and they touched noses. While watching to make sure the two would get along, they noticed that the cat was blind. The dog was the cat's seeing-eye dog. An afterword states that a vet discovered debris and grit deep inside the cat's ear canals, making their new owner wonder if the dog rescued it from the flood waters. 5/3/11
Read this to a 3rd grade class they were doing animals & human interactions & it seemed perfect since they missed 2 days of school due to Sandy.
A story of a cat and dog who survive Hurricane Katrina together. Four months later a worker on a construction crew begins feeding them. He trims the dogs chain, but leaves some because the cat seems to like following it. After feeding them for a week, his boss tells him that he has to get rid of them. The dog won't let him touch the cat, but he lures them in the van with food. He takes them to a shelter, where they are separated. The dog howled and barked all night long, while the cat paced. So the volunteers made a large pen and put the cat in in a carrier. The dog laid down in front and whimpered. They let the cat out and they touched noses. While watching to make sure the two would get along, they noticed that the cat was blind. The dog was the cat's seeing-eye dog. An afterword states that a vet discovered debris and grit deep inside the cat's ear canals, making their new owner wonder if the dog rescued it from the flood waters. 5/3/11
Read this to a 3rd grade class they were doing animals & human interactions & it seemed perfect since they missed 2 days of school due to Sandy.
July 17, 2011
This charming story of interspecies friendship is a keeper. The cat and dog both survived Katrina after being abandoned by their owners. Eventually they were taken to a shelter and separated. Both animals threw fits. Finally they put them back together. After watching them together, they realized the cat was blind and the dog guided and protected the cat. Both, btw had bobbed tails which inspired their names.
February 11, 2009
A cat and dog separated from their owners help each other survive after Hurricane Katrina. As a librarian, I frequently read picture books. Once in several years, I will read a picture book that I just have to buy in spite of the fact that I have no small children. This book is one that I must have. Two Bobbies, is a wonderful TRUE story that touches people of all ages.
March 22, 2017
So, you know it is a great book when reading it aloud to fourth grade, and you realize you are tearing up. And then you look up at the class and see a lot of red, teary eyes looking back at you. We all made it through and then talked about how we love our pets and how hard it had to be to leave them behind.
Sweet story
Sweet story
October 6, 2025
A lovely story. I shared this book with two classes and everyone enjoyed it. Read it, it will give you hope in the human experience. I love reading this each year. I'm still sharing this book every year as a read aloud. One of my very favorites.
June 8, 2019
A heartbreaking and yet hopeful book. It's hard to imagine being forced to leave your pets behind in a disaster or having to choose between saving your furry family and saving yourself. Hurricane Katrina was a disaster on so many levels. At least these two had each other.
January 7, 2022
Would it be too harsh of me to say that anyone who can read this story without tearing up, probably doesn't have a heart? Okay, yeah, it probably is too harsh. I blubbered my way through the whole story. That's just me. I'm a crier. But honestly, don't you just want to hug these two? Don't you just adore Bobbi for being Bob Cat's eyes, and for always being there for him, and protecting him? I love that they found such a wonderful home together, and that it was here in Oregon where I live. Such a happy ending for these two beautiful souls.
January 31, 2018
this book is so good i really like it
May 4, 2011
Two Bobbies is a wonderful true story that belongs on the top shelf of your humane education bookshelf.
The “Two Bobbies” are Bobbi, a dog, and Bob Cat, a cat, so named for their “bobbed” tails. The animals had been left homeless by Hurricane Katrina and had been roaming the devastated streets of New Orleans for an unknown period of time before being discovered and rescued. People who encountered the two were amazed by their devotion to each other—Bob Cat followed Bobbi everywhere, and Bobbi was so protective she would not let anyone touch the feline. At an emergency shelter set up by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, rescuers made an amazing discovery—Bob Cat was blind, and Bobbi was acting as his “seeing eye dog”!
There are a lot of great “teachable moments” within this book. The issue of Hurricane Katrina is depicted sensitively so as not to upset, but the illustrations and text still make it clear that pets, as well as people, are affected by natural disasters. Hurricane Katrina was, indeed, a turning point for America after emergency personnel forbade residents to evacuate with their pets—and mainstream culture finally realized the intrinsic problems with this cruel policy. Also, we see firsthand a delightful example of animal emotions and inter-species friendship.
I purchased this book for my library.
The “Two Bobbies” are Bobbi, a dog, and Bob Cat, a cat, so named for their “bobbed” tails. The animals had been left homeless by Hurricane Katrina and had been roaming the devastated streets of New Orleans for an unknown period of time before being discovered and rescued. People who encountered the two were amazed by their devotion to each other—Bob Cat followed Bobbi everywhere, and Bobbi was so protective she would not let anyone touch the feline. At an emergency shelter set up by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, rescuers made an amazing discovery—Bob Cat was blind, and Bobbi was acting as his “seeing eye dog”!
There are a lot of great “teachable moments” within this book. The issue of Hurricane Katrina is depicted sensitively so as not to upset, but the illustrations and text still make it clear that pets, as well as people, are affected by natural disasters. Hurricane Katrina was, indeed, a turning point for America after emergency personnel forbade residents to evacuate with their pets—and mainstream culture finally realized the intrinsic problems with this cruel policy. Also, we see firsthand a delightful example of animal emotions and inter-species friendship.
I purchased this book for my library.
March 2, 2012
This is a wonderful story, at times heartwrenching, but overall, a tender story of love, companionship and survival. The story illustrates to a small extent how many beloved pets suffered greatly during the Hurricane Katrina disaster. So many pet owners were devastated to leave their pets behind, and some refused to evacuate without them, choosing to brave the flood rather than desert them.
This event changed the perspective of rescuing organizations, to the point that when I attended a class on coordinating domestic relief actions in 2009, the U.S. policy had changed to accomodate pets with their owners to the greatest extent possible, within reason.
We really enjoyed this story and were somewhat surprised by the discoveries by the caretakers at the Best Friends Animal Society (I won't spoil it for you.) This story showed us how deeply one creature can truly care for another, and that love, compassion, and the instinct for survival are not solely human traits.
This event changed the perspective of rescuing organizations, to the point that when I attended a class on coordinating domestic relief actions in 2009, the U.S. policy had changed to accomodate pets with their owners to the greatest extent possible, within reason.
We really enjoyed this story and were somewhat surprised by the discoveries by the caretakers at the Best Friends Animal Society (I won't spoil it for you.) This story showed us how deeply one creature can truly care for another, and that love, compassion, and the instinct for survival are not solely human traits.
June 10, 2013
I picked this book up awhile ago and just got around to reading it. I'm so glad I did! It's a true story about two tailless pets, Bobbi the dog and Bob Cat the cat, who were left behind in Hurricane Katrina. Miraculously, the two survived months and were finally taken to a shelter where they were placed in separate rooms. As a result of the best friends' protests, the volunteers put them together where they were happy. It was discovered there that Bob Cat was blind - Bobbi had been his seeing-eye dog! Since they didn't have success finding the two a home, CNN did a story on them. After that, they were rescued and kept together. What a heartwarming story about friendship and survival! Sweet illustrations.
November 3, 2010
I'm a total sucker for this kind of true animal story. Cassels does a truly impressive job with her watercolor illustrations in making the animals' faces entirely realistic yet wonderfully expressive, a trick many artists never manage. I think that even those who remember the press surrounding this story will still appreciate the shock of surprise at the little "twist" rescuers discover. It makes you choke up in a happy way.
October 8, 2008
This is the SWEETEST book ever about a dog and cat abandoned after New Orleans was evacuated for Hurricane Katrina. The dog and cat are BEST friends, and the dogs loyalty had my heart swelling and my eyes tearing.
November 25, 2008
My students loved this story! It is based on a true story of a cat and dog who are abandoned after Hurricane Katrina. If you can read this book without getting a huge lump in your throat-you're tougher than me.
March 19, 2010
I have to admit I've avoided this book because I tend to shy away from "animal" books...but I picked it up today and shared it with my boys and it is an AMAZING true story that will truly touch your heart. Phenomenal story!
April 23, 2015
A beautiful story of friendship and survival. Bob Cat and Bobbi Dog travel together after being stranded from Hurricane Katrina. Depending on each other, neither might not have survived the aftermath without the other, and the kindness of strangers. I love this story!
February 23, 2009
Had I heard of these two at the time, I'd have been tempted to adopt them myself! An unusual, sad story with, fortunately, a very happy ending. Animal lovers everywhere will love this book!
August 29, 2008
Careful! This one might you cry! The heartwrenching story of a dog and a cat stuck in the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina and how their friendship saved them!
Read
September 22, 2012Very touching and with a twist for an ending. EVERYONE is affected by a hurricane. Stick together and we can be fine. :)
December 29, 2008
Children's authors have commonly found that the only way to really write about a huge recent disaster for small tykes without irreparably scarring them for life is to find some kind of human-interest story to focus on. When 9/11 happened it was The Man Who Walked Between the Towers that ended up being the best picture book to make reference to the tragedy, and it didn't even talk about it all that much! Similar books like Fireboat and September Roses made their focus a boat and a delivery of flowers but somehow neither really twanged the heartstrings effectively. What's particularly interesting about these three books is that none of them involved animals in any way. Critters were few and far between around the Twin Towers that day. As a result, authors had to scramble especially hard to find something, ANYTHING, to that kids could relate to. Newbery Honor winning author Kirby Larson and her partner in crime Mary Nethery have it a little easier. Focusing on an animal interest story from the time of Hurricane Katrina, Larson and Nethery could have easily phoned in the tale of Bob Cat and Bobbi, but the story that emerges here is one of grace and delicacy. Steady hands present us with the story of this cat and dog team. It is an actually touching story, with none of the faux emotions or cloying techniques sometimes employed with lesser true-life dog/cat tales.
They were abandoned like many pets when their human owners evacuated New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A dog with a bobbed tail and a cat, also with a bobbed tail, the two stayed close together in the time that followed. Fighting starvation and thirst, they walked the streets trying to find sustenance. A kind construction worker fed them, and in time the two were taken to a nearby shelter where they were named Bob Cat and Bobbi. To the surprise of the workers there the two did not want to be parted. Stranger still, it was determined that Bob Cat was completely blind. When no one adopted them their story was told on Anderson Cooper's 360 and they found a new owner with a ranch and other dogs. There the two have stayed every since. A note at the back of the book includes a photograph of the real Bobbi and Bob Cat.
There have been quite a few inter-species friendship stories that have fared well as children's books. Koko's Kitten, the tale of a gorilla and her pet cats, was one of the earliest. More recently there was Owen Mzee, in which a baby hippo was "adopted", in a sense, by an old tortoise. These stories inevitably involve tragedy (dead kittens, dead mothers, etc.), making them ideal subject matter for the author's pen. So I admit to being a little surprised that only Larson and Nethery had the wherewithal, after seeing the Anderson Cooper 360 piece, to realize that this was picture book heaven. Jeanette Winter must've been napping that day.
Newbery Honor winning author or not, human interest stories done as picture books can still fall flat if their accompanying illustrator is less than great. I can just imagine the discussions surrounding what kind of illustrator would work on Two Bobbies. Would they go with someone with a cartoony style? Someone who would, in a way, make the material younger and more small-child-appropriate? Or what if they found enough actual photographs of the real Bobbies and told the story that way? Grounding it in truth, if you will. Of course, the problem with that style is that Larson and Nethery begin their story long before any photographer thought to take a picture of the two pets. You'd have to make up for it in creative, questionable ways instead. The solution appeared to be somewhere between the two of these styles. Realistic illustrations would fill in many of the gaps in the Bobbies' past. Enter Jean Cassels, an illustrator prone to drawing more than sixty nonfiction nature titles. Best of all, Cassels is a New Orleans native, one who took her husband and her three dogs out of the city a mere day before Katrina hit. Cassels' style fits the story nicely. Once you hit the big reveal that Bob Cat has been blind all along, you can go back to the images and see that this makes a certain amount of sense. Pictures of Bob Cat show him placing one paw carefully in front of himself at all times, testing the ground in front of him. Other images of him show that he never looks at Bobbi. Not directly.
Now there were times when I wondered about the factual leaps taken by the story. I suppose Cassels, Larson and Nethery felt inclined to draw some conclusions from this tale. For instance, they seem to believe that Bob Cat and Bobbi were together from the start. We don't actually know that they were owned by the same people at the beginning, but it's something that seems natural to assume, given how close the two were. A story of a dog befriending a blind cat in the midst of a hurricane is a whole different kettle of fish anyway. Cassels then draws the kind of house they might have lived in, which is sketchy territory. Other stretches of the imagination don't bother me as much. The pair being snapped at by other abandoned animals or their wait on the porch of their home while the water recedes, both leaps in logic sound about right. You have to make some basic assumptions if you want to render this a fully fleshed out tale. I just think great care must be taken when we render supposition to be fact, particularly when we're dealing with four-year-old audiences.
Hurricane Katrina has lent itself to few changes in my library's children's collection. We've upped the number of hurricane books (and I suspect that the coming years guarantee that to be a sound investment) but those that actually discuss the hurricane itself are few and far between. How do you inform small children about government failure, loss of homes and lives, and general chaos? Cute animals can help, but only if their stories are real and (harder still) interesting. Two Bobbies hits all the right notes without falling too far into the realm of assumption and speculation. A great tale in general for cat people, dog people, and we-want-our-kids-to-read-great-books people.
Ages 4-8.
They were abandoned like many pets when their human owners evacuated New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A dog with a bobbed tail and a cat, also with a bobbed tail, the two stayed close together in the time that followed. Fighting starvation and thirst, they walked the streets trying to find sustenance. A kind construction worker fed them, and in time the two were taken to a nearby shelter where they were named Bob Cat and Bobbi. To the surprise of the workers there the two did not want to be parted. Stranger still, it was determined that Bob Cat was completely blind. When no one adopted them their story was told on Anderson Cooper's 360 and they found a new owner with a ranch and other dogs. There the two have stayed every since. A note at the back of the book includes a photograph of the real Bobbi and Bob Cat.
There have been quite a few inter-species friendship stories that have fared well as children's books. Koko's Kitten, the tale of a gorilla and her pet cats, was one of the earliest. More recently there was Owen Mzee, in which a baby hippo was "adopted", in a sense, by an old tortoise. These stories inevitably involve tragedy (dead kittens, dead mothers, etc.), making them ideal subject matter for the author's pen. So I admit to being a little surprised that only Larson and Nethery had the wherewithal, after seeing the Anderson Cooper 360 piece, to realize that this was picture book heaven. Jeanette Winter must've been napping that day.
Newbery Honor winning author or not, human interest stories done as picture books can still fall flat if their accompanying illustrator is less than great. I can just imagine the discussions surrounding what kind of illustrator would work on Two Bobbies. Would they go with someone with a cartoony style? Someone who would, in a way, make the material younger and more small-child-appropriate? Or what if they found enough actual photographs of the real Bobbies and told the story that way? Grounding it in truth, if you will. Of course, the problem with that style is that Larson and Nethery begin their story long before any photographer thought to take a picture of the two pets. You'd have to make up for it in creative, questionable ways instead. The solution appeared to be somewhere between the two of these styles. Realistic illustrations would fill in many of the gaps in the Bobbies' past. Enter Jean Cassels, an illustrator prone to drawing more than sixty nonfiction nature titles. Best of all, Cassels is a New Orleans native, one who took her husband and her three dogs out of the city a mere day before Katrina hit. Cassels' style fits the story nicely. Once you hit the big reveal that Bob Cat has been blind all along, you can go back to the images and see that this makes a certain amount of sense. Pictures of Bob Cat show him placing one paw carefully in front of himself at all times, testing the ground in front of him. Other images of him show that he never looks at Bobbi. Not directly.
Now there were times when I wondered about the factual leaps taken by the story. I suppose Cassels, Larson and Nethery felt inclined to draw some conclusions from this tale. For instance, they seem to believe that Bob Cat and Bobbi were together from the start. We don't actually know that they were owned by the same people at the beginning, but it's something that seems natural to assume, given how close the two were. A story of a dog befriending a blind cat in the midst of a hurricane is a whole different kettle of fish anyway. Cassels then draws the kind of house they might have lived in, which is sketchy territory. Other stretches of the imagination don't bother me as much. The pair being snapped at by other abandoned animals or their wait on the porch of their home while the water recedes, both leaps in logic sound about right. You have to make some basic assumptions if you want to render this a fully fleshed out tale. I just think great care must be taken when we render supposition to be fact, particularly when we're dealing with four-year-old audiences.
Hurricane Katrina has lent itself to few changes in my library's children's collection. We've upped the number of hurricane books (and I suspect that the coming years guarantee that to be a sound investment) but those that actually discuss the hurricane itself are few and far between. How do you inform small children about government failure, loss of homes and lives, and general chaos? Cute animals can help, but only if their stories are real and (harder still) interesting. Two Bobbies hits all the right notes without falling too far into the realm of assumption and speculation. A great tale in general for cat people, dog people, and we-want-our-kids-to-read-great-books people.
Ages 4-8.
November 29, 2022
Two Bobbies written by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery is a true story about the friendship between an abandoned dog named Bobbi and a cat named Bob Cat in the devastating tragedy that was Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Bobbi and Bob Cat journey together through the destroyed city and learn to survive. Eventually they would find help and be given temporary shelter however readers find out that Bob Cat is actually blind and has been using Bobbi as her “seeing-eye dog''. After months of not finding a home, the two bobbies appear on tv and would be adopted by a wonderful cat and dog lover named Melinda. The biggest take-a-away from Bob Cat and Bobbi’s story is that despite having to deal with such a tragedy (being abandoned then having to survive in a destroyed city with no home) they were able to focus on hope and knew they could rely on each other. Of course this resilience and hope didn’t only apply to them but to all those that Hurricane Katrina impacted. I was only two when Hurricane Katrina devastated across the states of the gulf coast and I wasn’t taught of the tragedy it was. I think if this story were to be used in a read-aloud, one could use it to teach the children about the event of Hurricane Katrina. By doing this it allows readers to connect and understand “the real world.” Two Bobbies is overall a very heart-warming and wholesome story - I believe children would also be able to see this and it can be used to discover the power of friendship and loyalty. The story shows caring adults helping those in need. Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery did an excellent job telling a story that appeals to children related to such a sad event.
January 19, 2018
Larson, Kirby and Mary Nethery Two Bobbies: A true story of Hurricane Katrina, friendship and survival, illustrated by Jean Cassels. Walker (Bloomsbury), 2008.
After Hurricane Katrina, a cat and a dog were found starving and wandering together through the debris. Their rescuers discovered a special secret about the pair and only a very special family would be the right kind of home for this pair. Communities affected by Hurricane Katrina will appreciate this story of hope, but animal lovers of all ages will also be touched the two bobbies tale.
EL – ADVISABLE. Cindy Mitchell – Library-Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008...
After Hurricane Katrina, a cat and a dog were found starving and wandering together through the debris. Their rescuers discovered a special secret about the pair and only a very special family would be the right kind of home for this pair. Communities affected by Hurricane Katrina will appreciate this story of hope, but animal lovers of all ages will also be touched the two bobbies tale.
EL – ADVISABLE. Cindy Mitchell – Library-Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008...
January 20, 2023
What a touching story! This book was a little long, so my 2-year old didn’t have much interest in it, but my 4-year old loved it! I was crying through the story, and my daughter asked so many questions. This was a moving story, and my daughter and I both loved it!
March 2, 2020
Per my second graders: I liked the book because Bobby was helping the cat. It was interesting because the cat was blind.
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