Toby Finds a Home
Blanchet House presents a story about the importance of helping our neighbors experiencing hunger and homelessness. In Toby Finds a Home, young readers follow a houseless cat in search of food, friendship, and a home. Children learn about the complex issues of homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity through vibrant illustrations and diverse characters. Proceeds from the sale of Toby Finds A Home support Blanchet House’s food, clothing, and shelter programs.
34 pages. Hardcover. Ages 3-7. Written by Marie and Julie Showers. Illustrated by Eva Wrzesinski. ISBN 9798990958302
$19.95 + $5.38 media mail shipping ORDER
Take a look inside the book!
Upcoming Book Storytimes
Sept. 8, 2 p.m.
Reading and care-kit-making activity at Green Bean Books on NE Alberta in Portland, OR. RSVP. Free event.
Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m.
Reading at Powell’s books on NW Burnside in downtown Portland in the Red Room.
About the Illustrator
Eva Wrzesinsk (they/them), a multi-media artist in Portland, OR, created all of the illustrations for Toby Finds A Home, helping bring the characters to life in their vibrant style. They like to explore by blending art styles and aim to discover something new with every project. Eva often draws inspiration from the natural world and focuses on subject matter relating to childhood, relationships, and identity. Their current mediums of choice are digital illustration, graphite, watercolor, and collage.
About the Authors
Parts of this story and its characters were created in collaboration with students from the graphic design and illustration department at Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) including Michele Saiz, Emmy Wilkinson, Mikayla Greig, Jonah Zayas, and instructor Kristin Rogers Brown. Marie Showers is a retired elementary school teacher who taught for 32 years in Michigan Public Schools and a children’s book lover who turned ideas into words for this book. Co-author Julie Showers is the Communications Director at Blanchet House who helped her mom out a little.
Get the Guide!
Fostering Compassion: 5 Ways for Children to Help Their Homeless Neighbors
Download our free children’s guide to volunteering and helping neighbors experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and poverty.
Sign up for download
Schedule an In-Person Reading
Invite an educator to read Toby Finds a Home aloud to a group followed by an activity from our teachers’ guide tailored to fit your learning goals.
Contact Heidi Janowski hjanowski@blanchethouse.org
Teachers Guide and Activities
This teaching guide includes a summary, discussion questions, creative activities, and more.
