Haven A Small Cat’s Big Adventure

By Megan Wagner Lloyd illustrated by Suzie Mason

Informational Resources:

Author Information:

Author Website: 

https://meganwagnerlloyd.com/

Illustrator Information:

Illustrator Website:  

https://www.suemasondesign.com/

Activities & Resources:

Activities:

ELAR/Writing

In the book, the author describes the theme of the story as courage and determination. Write about a time when you had to do something that took a lot of courage and determination to complete the obstacle that was in your way. How does your story compare to that of Haven’s? 

Using a website of your choice, research foxes and bobcats. Use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the two animals. 

Read the reader's theater for Haven A Small Cat’s Big Adventure.

In the book, Haven describes her home as a place that is safe and for her family. Write a descriptive paragraph about what your “home” means to you. 

MakerSpace Activities:

How to draw a cat (4:49):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYOZCkgvNJ4

How to draw a realistic fox (8:02):

https://www.you-tube.com/watch?v=vzWtXdRuK34

Create a shoebox diorama of one your favorite scenes of the book using simple art materials. https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Diorama

Create the main characters of the story using modeling clay and/or play dough. 

As a group activity, use context clues from the story to create a map from Haven’s journey to and from town. Map should include four scenes from the book, a timeline and a map key. 

Choose your favorite characters from the story. Create a hand puppet using paper sacks and simple art supplies. 

Discussion Questions:

Based on the cover of the novel, Haven A Small Cat’s Big Adventure, what do you predict will happen in the story? Does the fox on the cover and the bobcat on the back give you any ideas?

Describe the relationship of Haven, the cat and Ma Millie. 

What nickname has Ma Millie given Haven to make her feel loved?

Jacob Levan is the neighbor that often checks on Ma Millie and her home during the week. What are some tasks that he will do for Ma Millie? 

What happened to Haven’s paw in the beginning of the story?

In chapter 4, the fox enters the story. The fox lives in the forest and often makes his way to town. What makes you think the fox often enjoys “human food?” 

Haven first decides she needs to go and find Jacob Levan for help. She travels to his home and he is not home. Who does she talk to to find out this information? 

Haven sets off through the forest to find help in town for Ma Millie. What is her reasoning for leaving her home to go and find help? Do you think it is a good idea for Haven to be in the forest by herself? Why or why not?

While Haven is in the forest she runs into the fox. What are her initial thoughts about the fox? Why did she tell the fox her name?  What made the fox decide to help Haven find her way to town? 

On her journey, Haven is afraid that she will come in contact with the bobcat. Why should this alarm her? 

What is the relationship between the fox and the bobcat? 

Haven has to cross the river to get to town. Although she falls in, what does the fox do to save her from the drifting water? 

Name some of the hardships that Haven and the fox face as they are in the forest. 

Haven gives the fox a new name. What did she decide on and why? 

Meeting head on with a bobcat, True and the bobcat have a scuffle. How does Haven react to this? 

When Haven finally makes it to town, was she able to find Jacob Levan? 

What was Haven able to do to get the help needed for Ma Millie? 

When Jacob Levan returns home to Ma Millie, why does he call her a “miracle cat?” 

At the end of the novel, Ma Millie asks Jacob Levan for one wish. What is that wish? 

How does Haven spend her days after Ma Millie’s passing?    

What are some ways that you can tell Haven is enjoying her new home with Jacob Levan? 

Book Talk Teasers:

Read the reader’s theater for Haven A Small Cat’s Big Adventure.

Watch the book trailer on the Texas Bluebonnet Award website.

Haven A Small Cat’s Big Adventure audio excerpt reading by Rebecca Solar (5:03):

https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=28464

Read Alikes:

Cats

Baeuer, Marion. Little cat’s luck. A little cat named Patches manages to push out a window screen and leave her house, chasing a falling leaf, and sets out to find a special place to call her own. (NoveList Plus)

Swartz, Ava. Lucky the one eyed cat. This unwanted cat was lucky when he was finally rescued from a cage. But when he escaped from his adoptive home to play with street cats, would his luck run out?With beautiful watercolor illustrations of Istanbul's historical landmarks, its famous shop cats and beloved homeless cats, this book was written from the author's personal experience. It will charm children, cat lovers and adventurers with its heartfelt emotions.In the end, Lucky learned that looking different can be a blessing in disguise. (NoveList Plus)

Watson, Kirstie.The witch's cat and the cooking catastrophe. A fantastical tale of magic, mischief and mishap. A funny and heart-warming tale that’s sure to bring some magic to your bedtime stories. It's fun to read aloud, with lots of opportunities for children to join in and guess what happens next. (NoveList Plus)

Animal Adventure

Howe, Peter. Waggit’s tale. When Waggit is abandoned by his owner as a puppy, he meets a pack of wild dogs who become his friends and teach him to survive in the city park, but when he has a chance to go home with a kind woman who wants to adopt him, he takes it. (NoveList Plus)

Pyron. Bobbie. A pup called Trouble. Brimming with curiosity, Trouble can’t wait to explore the world beyond Singing Creek. So one morning the coyote pup stows away in the back of a truck and ends up lost in the heart of New York City. While Trouble misses his siblings, he quickly makes friends in Central Park’s Ramble: a prankster crow, a timid opossum, and a poetic poodle. (NoveList Plus)

Reviews:

Lloyd, Megan Wagner.  Haven : A Small Cat's Big Adventure. Candlewick Press, 2022.

Booklist

Haven : A Small Cat's Big Adventure

By Megan Wagner Lloyd (author) Shawn Harris (illustrator)

Aug  2022. 129p. Candlewick Press, $17.99 (9781536216578) Grades 3-6.

REVIEW: First Published July 2022 (Vol. 118, No. 21)(Booklist)

Rescued kitten Haven has found a perfect home with Ma Millie in a remote forest cottage. The dreamy life is upended when Ma Millie is struck with a terrible illness just as a windstorm knocks out the phone lines, leaving her with no way to summon assistance. Haven realizes that she’ll have to screw up all her courage and leave her comfortable confines to save her beloved human. She finds an unlikely ally in a bored fox itching for some excitement, and the two set off on the trip of a lifetime. But with a sly bobcat stalking their every move, it becomes a terrifying question of just how long that lifetime might be. It’s an immediately absorbing drama, and the clever narration shifts between distinct animal voices. Evocative descriptions of cozy cottages and the vast wilderness are terrifically transporting, and the ever-present bobcat danger will keep readers turning pages. It’s a proper adventure story. 

Used with the permission of Booklist  https://www.booklistonline.com/

Additional Reviews Available 

• Kirkus Reviews, 05/01/22

• Publishers Weekly Annex, 08/22/22

• School Library Connection, 11/01/22