Book

Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival

📖 Overview

Two Bobbies follows a cat and a dog who are left behind in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The unlikely pair - Bob Cat and Bobbi the dog - form a bond as they navigate the flooded, debris-filled streets of their devastated city. The story chronicles their four months of survival together as strays in post-hurricane conditions. Through hardships and challenges, the two animals stay side by side, relying on each other while searching for food and shelter. After being rescued and taken to a shelter, the true nature of their relationship and individual histories comes to light. Their remarkable tale drew media attention and captured public interest during the aftermath of the disaster. This nonfiction picture book explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and resilience in the face of catastrophe. The story demonstrates how extraordinary bonds can form between different species when confronted with life-changing circumstances.

👀 Reviews

Readers call this children's book an accessible way to teach kids about Hurricane Katrina through the true story of two animals. Parents and teachers report the book opens discussions about natural disasters, friendship, and pet responsibility. Readers appreciated: - Age-appropriate handling of a difficult subject - Realistic illustrations that capture emotion - Clear explanations of hurricane impacts - The hopeful ending - Teaching resources included Common criticisms: - Some found the $16-18 price high for length - A few noted the story moves slowly in middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (1,438 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (168 reviews) Kirkus Reviews: Starred review Multiple teachers mentioned using it successfully with grades K-3. One librarian wrote: "The story keeps students engaged while teaching real history." Several parents noted children requesting repeated readings and asking thoughtful questions about disasters afterward.

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🤔 Interesting facts

🐾 The real-life Bobbie the dog and Bob Cat remained together for four months after Hurricane Katrina, wandering the streets of New Orleans as inseparable companions. 🏥 When finally rescued and brought to a shelter, veterinarians discovered Bob Cat was completely blind, explaining why he had followed Bobbie so closely—she had been acting as his seeing-eye dog. ✍️ Author Kirby Larson learned about the Two Bobbies' story from a feature on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360° and felt compelled to share their tale with young readers. 🎖️ The book won multiple awards, including the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award and the IRA Teacher's Choice Award. 🏡 The Two Bobbies were eventually adopted together by a family in Oregon, where they lived out the rest of their lives as beloved pets.