Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World - Hardcover

Myron, Vicki

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0446541192 ISBN 13: 9780446541190

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

Experience the uplifting, "unforgettable" New York Times bestseller about an abandoned kitten named Dewey (Booklist), whose life in a library won over a farming town and the world -- over 2 million copies sold!

Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. On the coldest night of the year in Spencer, Iowa, at only a few weeks old -- a critical age for kittens -- he was stuffed into the return book slot of the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next nineteen years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility (for a cat), and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most.

As his fame grew from town to town, then state to state and finally, amazingly, worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend; he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming community slowly working its way back from the greatest crisis in its long history.

About this title

About the Author

Vicky Myron grew up on a family farm in northwest Iowa. She began as an assistant librarian at the Spencer library. Within a few years, she was promoted to director of the library. As a single mother, Vicky worked towards a masters degree for librarians during weekends and nights. It was then that she met Dewey, who made his home at the library and kept her company late nights while she studied. Vicky has served on the Executive Board of the Iowa Library Association, and on numerous statewide advisory panels. She is one of six library management instructors in the Iowa library system.

Bret Witter has ghostwritten nine books. Before becoming a professional writer, Bret spent three years as the Editorial Director of HCI, the publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Bret lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Review

"The book is not only a tribute to a cat... it's a love letter to libraries."―Publishers Weekly

"Myron's beguiling, poignant, and tender tale of survival, loyalty, and love is an unforgettable study in the mysterious and wondrous ways animals, and libraries, enrich humanity."―Booklist, starred review

"Intimate portrait of a place snugly set within its historical moment, preserved in Myron's understated, well-polished prose."―Kirkus

"What an extraordinary story of love, courage and devotion. I will not soon forget the good people of Spencer, Iowa and their wonderful library cat. DEWEY is truly inspiration for the soul."―Jack Canfield, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul


"The story of Dewey, author Vicki Myron, and Spencer, Iowa, captures what makes small town life worth preserving--a sense of community. DEWEY rekindles my belief that one person (together with one cat) can change lives. Vicki gives Spencer's famous library cat a 10th life by writing this engaging biography."―Christie Vilsack, former First Lady of Iowa and President of The Vilsack Foundation

"DEWEY is charming, lovely, and moving. It's about life and death and small-town values and, above all, love. Norton would have liked Dewey--the cat and the book--immensely."―Peter Gethers, author of The Cat Who Went to Paris and The Cat Who'll Live Forever

Edition details

• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0446541192
• ISBN 13: 9780446541190
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 480