I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay (The Read and Write Series)

Hurrah for Essays! All English composition writing lessons should be this much fun.

When cousins Dennis and Mellie 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 dog personalities, family situations, and personal preferences.

Mellie writes an opinion essay for her teacher, Mr. Eagle. But will her essay convince his parents to get the dog of his dreams? Will her arguments work?

This story 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 cousins and the dogs that keep a reader turning the page. What kind of cat will Dennis choose? Will Mellie want the same kind of cat?

This story hits many language arts curriculum needs:
-A family story about cousins, Dennis and Mellie
-Information on cat breeds
-Responsible cat ownership
-Example of essay format
-Basic English language arts for elementary or primary grades
-Tips for teaching writing
-Example or model of 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 good English opinion compositions and essays look too easy.

Children’s book author Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, Junior Library Guild selections, and NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature.

In her debut picture book, Ewa O’Neill (ewaoneill.com) creates art that is luscious, inventive, and colorful, bringing the story energy and humor. A cat-lover herself, Ewa (pronounced Ĕ-vah) gives each breed a personality that helps kids begin to tell cat breeds apart.