Toby Finds a Home: A story about homelessness - Hardcover

by Marie Showers (Author), Julie Showers (Author), Eva Wrzesinski (Illustrator)

A homeless cat named Toby roams the streets of Portland, Oregon in search of food and friendship. One afternoon, Toby's nose leads him to a warm and welcoming cafe, where people from all walks of life gather to enjoy free meals. Toby becomes a familiar face at the cafe, weaving through the tables and curling up next to the diners. The people there, many of whom are experiencing homelessness or poverty, find comfort and joy in Toby's presence. Each day, Toby meets new friends with unique stories, teaching him and young readers about the challenges and resilience of people facing hard times. Despite their hardships, the diners at the cafe form bonds, helping each other and sharing what little they have. All thanks to a little help from Toby. The friends Toby meets along the way gift him with scraps of fabric, which he collects. A man named Oscar, who had been a regular at the cafe, returns with the joyous news that he's found a job and a place to live. Remembering the comfort Toby brought him and others during their toughest days, Oscar decides to adopt the orange cat who had become a symbol of hope and friendship for so many. Toby Finds A Home is a heartwarming story that highlights the realities of poverty and homelessness while celebrating the power of community and compassion. Through Toby's journey, young readers learn to see beyond circumstances, recognizing the humanity and hope in everyone they meet and the importance of taking care of each other. Toby Finds A Home is published by Blanchet House of Hospitality in Portland, Oregon, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates a free cafe with transitional housing. Its mission is to alleviate suffering which includes building compassion for marginalized people experiencing poverty and homelessness.