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<P CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%">
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I><B>THE DIARY OF A
KILLER CAT</B></I></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%">
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>ANNE FINE</B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%">
<BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%">
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>LOUISIANA YOUNG
READERS’ CHOICE NOMINEE 2009</B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%">
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>GRADES 3-5</B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0.14in"><BR><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0.14in"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>Submitted
by Samantha Klein, Graduate Student, Louisiana State University,
Baton Rouge, LA</FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0.14in"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Diary of a Killer Cat</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>
by Anne Fine. Illustrated by Steve Cox. New York: Farrar, Straus and
Giroux, 1994.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0.14in"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>ANNOTATION</B></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>:
This humorous chapter book is told from the point of view of a cat
named Tuffy. His human family gets upset after he brings a dead bird
and a dead mouse in the house, but they </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>really</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>
go “mental” when he next brings in the neighbor’s
beloved rabbit Thumper…dead, of course.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0.14in"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>CLASSROOM
CONNECTIONS</B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><U><B>Explore
Points of View</B></U></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>:
</B></FONT></FONT>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>Tuffy
is the narrator of this book; we see the events that occur in the
story from his point of view. What makes it so funny is that Tuffy is
a cat, so he looks at things in a different way than people do. He
thinks his people are being ridiculous for being so upset with him
for killing a bird when that is normal behavior for a cat. Students
can do a creative writing exercise that will help them understand
what first-person narration is. Ask children to write a story—it
can be in diary form as in </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Diary of a Killer Cat</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>—from
the point of view of an animal. The animal can be their own pet, an
insect, a zoo animal, farm animal, or wild animal. The following site
provides a lesson for further exploration of point of view:
</FONT></FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff"><U><A HREF="http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/414.html"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/414.html</FONT></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
It helps children learn to distinguish between first and third person
points of view. The stories presented are </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Three Little Pigs</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>
(traditionally told), </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
True Story of the Three Little Pigs</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>
by Jon Scieszka, and </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Giver</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>
by Lois Lowry. </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Giver</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>
is probably too advanced for our age group, but other titles can be
substituted: e.g. </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>Bunnicula:
A Rabbit Tale of Mystery</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>
by Deborah Howe and James Howe (or </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Vampire Bunny</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>,
the easy reader version of</FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>
Bunnicula</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>),
</FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>Sheep
</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>by
Valerie Hobbs, and </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>A
Room with a Zoo</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>
by Jules Feiffer.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><U><B>Write
a Book Review</B></U></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>:</B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>Have
the students write a short book review of </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Diary of a Killer Cat</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
They could share the following: an explanation of what the story is
about; whether they liked it or not and why; a character description
of Tuffy. They could rate the book with stars, a five star review
being the best. That is what children did for the Web site of the Old
Hutton C of E Primary School, located in the town of Kendal, Cumbria,
in the U.K. Click the following link to see student reviews of Fine’s
books, including a few of </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Diary of a Killer Cat</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>:
</FONT></FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff"><U><A HREF="http://www.oldhutton.cumbria.sch.uk/learning/literacy/bookreviews/f.html"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>http://www.oldhutton.cumbria.sch.uk/learning/literacy/bookreviews/f.html</FONT></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><U>“<FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>Is
That How Cats Really Are?”</B></U></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>This
lesson about cats comes from the ASPCA Web site:
</FONT></FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff"><U><A HREF="http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/Is_That_How_Cats_Really_Are.pdf?docID=4250"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/Is_That_How_Cats_Really_Are.pdf?docID=4250</FONT></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
It asks children to brainstorm and research characteristics of real
cats. They then can compare these characteristics to portrayals of
fictional cats. A handout is provided to help them remember famous
fictional cats, like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh (yes, both domestic
and wild cats can be represented). A series of discussion questions
round out the lesson; they try to get children to think of “basic
cat care needs.” Tuffy can be brought into the discussion. In
what ways does Tuffy exhibit characteristics of real cats? How is he
not like a real cat? Does Tuffy show affection toward Ellie? How do
real cats show affection ?</FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><U><B>Natural
History Museum of Los Angelos County: “Cats! Wild to Mild”</B></U></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT COLOR="#0000ff"><U><A HREF="http://www.nhm.org/cats/home.html"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>http://www.nhm.org/cats/home.html</FONT></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
“Cats! Wild to Mild” is a traveling exhibit, but the Web
site also provides in-depth information about cats of all types,
organized in a clear fashion. On the left side of the page, click on
“Teacher Curriculum” to see a 31-page “Curriculum
Guide” that can be printed out. It includes many activities to
engage students in the lesson.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><U><B>Draw
a Cartoon Animal</B></U></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>One
of the funny things about this book is Steve Cox’s cartoon
illustrations. Discuss how his illustrations of Tuffy correspond with
Tuffy’s voice in telling the tale. What kind of expression does
Tuffy’s face show? Have children create their own cartoon
animal character. Show children “Chunky Monkey’s Cartoon
Lessons” on Pauline Camanor’s Chunky Money Web site:
</FONT></FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff"><U><A HREF="http://www.chunkymonkey.com/howto/drawinglessons.htm"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>http://www.chunkymonkey.com/howto/drawinglessons.htm</FONT></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
She gives step-by-step directions for drawing monkeys, cats, fish,
koalas, poodles, plus more! Books from the </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>1-2-3
Draw</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>
series will be especially of interest to kids interested in cartoon
drawing. Titles include: </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>1-2-3
Draw Cartoon Animals</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>,
</FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>1-2-3
Draw Cartoon Wildlife</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>,
and </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>1-2-3
Draw Pets and Farm Animals</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
The Web site for these books, produced by Peel Productions, provides
a sampling of drawing instructions online:
</FONT></FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff"><U><A HREF="http://drawbooks.com/123_draw_series/index.html"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>http://drawbooks.com/123_draw_series/index.html</FONT></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
Click on the individual titles. </FONT></FONT>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>WEB
SITES</B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>Anne
Fine: Official Web Site</B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT COLOR="#0000ff"><U><A HREF="http://www.annefine.co.uk/index.html"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>http://www.annefine.co.uk/index.html</FONT></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
The attractive Web site of the British author of </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Diary of a Killer Cat </I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>would
be nice to show to children. Her books are listed according to
reading level; short summaries and cover images are presented along
with each title. Good news to kids who loved reading </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Diary of a Killer Cat</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>:
there’s two more books featuring Tuffy, entitled </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Return of the Killer Cat</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>
and </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Killer Cat Strikes Back</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>!
Her brief biography is written in first person point of view, and
Fine shares with us a little about her childhood and her writing
process. The Web site lists the many awards Fine won over the years,
including the 1995 </FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><SPAN LANG="en-GB">Nottinghamshire
Libraries Award for </SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><I>The
Diary of a Killer Cat</I></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
There is also a section about Fine having been the United Kingdom’s
Children’s Laureate for the years 2001-2003. A link is provided
for the Children’s Laureate homepage:
</FONT></FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff"><U><A HREF="http://www.booktrusted.co.uk/childrenslaureate/"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>http://www.booktrusted.co.uk/childrenslaureate/</FONT></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
The current Children’s Laureate is Michael Rosen. </FONT></FONT>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>Healthypet.com:
Cat FAQs</B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT COLOR="#0000ff"><U><A HREF="http://www.healthypet.com/faq_list.aspx?id=2"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>http://www.healthypet.com/faq_list.aspx?id=2</FONT></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
Healthypet.com is produced by the American Animal Hospital Associate.
The Cat FAQs provides answers to common questions about cats. Topics
are organized under category headings, “Behavior”,
“General Health”, “Diseases”, etc. The
behavior questions may be of especial interest as a thematic
connection to Fine’s book. The Dog FAQs can be linked from this
page, too.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><BR>
</P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%">“<FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>Cats:
Plans for Perfection” from National Geographic</B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%"><FONT COLOR="#0000ff"><U><A HREF="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/cats/index.html"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/cats/index.html</FONT></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT SIZE=3>.
“The story of cats is ultimately a story about design”:
this statement opens this intriguing online exhibit on cats. Children
will love the intricate drawings. The drawing of the “retractable
claw” moves to show how it works. Another drawing depicts a
Sabertooth marking its territory on a tree branch; the text beside it
notes that domestic cats do the same thing. </FONT></FONT>
</P>
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</P>
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