Chat Angora kit

Most appropriate for ages 9-12

This is a story about a very goofy, not-too-bright, absent-minded detective. The story takes place in a deserted alley, behind some restaurants in the city. There are garbage cans in the alley and a large bag of rice with the word RIZ printed clearly on the front so that the audience can see the word. The story be­gins with a television reporter (who takes on the role of narrator) stating that the detective, Chat Angora, is in search of the criminal, Madame Rat. Chat Angora receives three different clues from three very different, mysterious characters, each with a very distinct personality. It is a very popular play with teachers and students from Grade four to grade seven. It is full of emotional content and humour, and results in an unresolved ending, which is ideal for story exten­sion possibilities! Students love the contrasting personalities of the characters, and especially love to be the goofy Chat Angora.

Enhance your kit with the following extras:

The story begins the morning of a school field trip to the former site of an Algonquin settlement near Ottawa. As a teenage girl named Renée is preparing to leave, she and her mother argue over her lack of responsibility. Renée is frustrated by her mother's comments and is not interested in this field trip, making it very clear that she would rather be at the mall with her friends. During the field trip, Renée trips and falls in the forest. Suddenly things change and she finds herself among the Algonquins. Is this real or just a dream? This story deals with relationships between adolescents and adults in our time and compares them with the relationships between people of different ages in native societies. Respect and awareness of the environment is another subject that is important in this story. 

Story: Wendy Maxwell
Illustrations: Jana Tubinshlak
Appropriate for ages: 7-12