Nelson’s Exciting Ocean Adventure

About the Book

A runaway cat is a regular visitor to the SPCA in Nelson. Although placed in good homes, he is not able to settle and is soon back at the SPCA. Chrissy and Richard from the Rescued Cats’ Centre are on holiday in Nelson when they hear a radio plea from the SPCA asking for help to find homes for animals. They meet the runaway cat and a bond is formed. They name the cat, Nelson after his home town. Before he can return home to the Rescued Cats’ Centre in Auckland, Nelson must first travel across the Cook Strait and experience an exciting ocean adventure.

About the Book

When Chrissy and Richard from the Rescued Cats’ Centre are on holiday in Nelson, they answer the plea of the SPCA to adopt a cat. A constant visitor to the Nelson SPCA, is a runaway cat which does not seem to be able to settle in one home. The cat responds well to Richard and Chrissy, so they decide to adopt him, renaming him Nelson and taking him back to Auckland. This is an excellent opportunity for the author to combine Nelson’s journey homeward from the South Island to the North Island with information about fascinating ocean creatures. Teachers and parents will find many interesting talking points from a geographic and ecological perspective, to discuss with children.

Teacher Notes

Preschool and Year One and Two

Nelson’s Exciting Ocean Adventure is a useful discussion tool: a) To introduce children to some of the creatures of the ocean and b) to prompt a discussion about adoption of animals and the responsibilities that go with it.

Option a) – Show the front cover to the children and discuss the meaning of the word ‘ocean’ and ask what why and how a cat would go on an ocean adventure. Ask if any of the children have been on an ocean adventure. What did they see? Read the story, pausing and prompting discussion where appropriate. Follow-up – effective ‘underwater’ artwork can be achieved with the use of oil crayons and water paint. Put large sheets of plain paper on the wall. Children can draw the creatures, rocks and seaweed from the ocean using the crayons, cut out and paste onto the paper. When complete the class can paint over the creatures using blue and green water paint. Tip: the oil crayons need to be used firmly so that they resist the paint.

Option b) Ask the children for a show of hands as to who ‘owns’ a pet. Discuss the concept of adoption of pets. Make a list on the white board of the responsibilities of the owner of pets – providing somewhere safe to sleep, regular food, water, exercise and attention etc. Discuss what the pets give in return – fun, friendship and faithfulness.