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Tritt ein in eine Welt voller Geschichten

Hören und Lesen

Darcy Pattison

I Want a Dog: My Opinion EssayBy Darcy Pattison, Illustrated by Ewa O'Neill

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

When cousins Dennis and Mellie decide to get a dog, they consider carefully what breed would be best for each family. For example, Dennis wants a big dog, but Mellie wants tiny. He has no other pets, but she has other pets that a dog must get along with. They consider different dog personalities, family situations, and personal preferences. Dennis writes an opinion essay for his teacher, Mrs. Shirky. But will his essay convince his parents to get the dog of his dreams?

This story takes a popular subject—kids getting a pet—and adds dogs 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 dog will Dennis choose? Will Mellie want the same kind of dog?

This story hits many notes:

 • A family story about cousins, Dennis and Mellie
 • Information on dog breeds
 • Responsible dog 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 DOG almost makes opinion essays look too easy. For STEM classes, a good study of dog species.
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

Josiah Bildner

Mims House

The Read and Write Series

I Want a Dog: My Opinion Essay

I Want a Cat: My Opinion EssayBy Darcy Pattison, Illustrated by Ewa O'Neill

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

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 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 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
 • Scientific information on cat 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.

I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay

A hectic chase inspires Dennis's amazing narrative essay.

A romp with his best friend, a Bernese Mountain Dog named Clark Kent, inspires Dennis to write a narrative essay. Recently, Mom asked Dennis to put a leash on Clark Kent so they could take the dog to the veterinarian for shots. Clark gave them all a merry chase! There's lots of action to love here.

In this third installment of the The Read and Write Series, children's book author and writing teacher, Darcy Pattison, entertains kids while also teaching them how-to-write. This book packages a complete narrative essay lesson plan into an engaging story about a boy and his dog. Adding sensory details is demonstrated on each page and on the mentor text essay. Students are reminded to add transition words and use great verbs. Who would know that writing essays could be so simple and fun?

This story has multiple levels. Young kids will revel in the exciting story of chasing a dog around the house. Elementary students will rejoice that learning essay writing is so much fun. And teachers will find this the easiest writing lesson they've ever done—and the most effective. Buy this amazing story to fascinate a kid (and teach them something in the process).

THE READ AND WRITE SERIES 

 • I Want a Dog: My Opinion Essay, Book 1
 • I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay, Book 2
 • My Crazy Dog: My Narrative Essay, Book 3
 • My Dirty Dog: My Informative Essay, Book 4

My Crazy Dog: My Narrative Essay

When the family gathers for Grandma's birthday, they spend the day at the local K-9 Karnival.

Cousins Dennis and Mellie get their faces painted, learn how to give a dog a bath, and march in a parade. 

At home, they write informative essays about the day. Two full mentor essays are included.

With the homework done, it's time for Grandma's birthday party! This is Book 4 in The Read and Write Series, that feature these cousins, their pets and great essays.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE READ AND WRITE SERIES

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

 • “. . .fill(s) a niche for teachers. . .” 
 - School Library Journal • 5/1/15
 • “. . .breezy and engaging introduction to genre writing.”
 • “The model essay can be used across multiple genres (informational and narrative nonfiction in addition to opinion).”
 • “. . .useful for teachers showing early elementary students the relevancy, power, and importance of effective writing.”

 Booklist 6/17/15

THE READ AND WRITE SERIES
I Want a Dog: My Opinion Essay, Book 1

I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay, Book 2

My Crazy Dog: My Narrative Essay, Book 3

My Dirty Dog: My Informative Essay, Book 4