Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron

SUMMARY (From Publisher’s Weekly): One frigid Midwestern winter night in 1988, a ginger kitten was shoved into the after-hours book-return slot at the public library in Spencer, Iowa. And in this tender story, Myron, the library director, tells of the impact the cat, named DeweyReadmore Books, had on the library and its patrons, and on Myron herself.

MY OPINION:

The story about Dewey is not just a story about an ordinary cat. I am a cat person. If we asked Dewey he would probably say he was a people cat. We learn that and much more form the heart-warming writing of Dewey’s – no, not owner – care-taker rather, Vicki Myron.

Her story about Dewey is nice, touching, sometimes emotional, but foremost realistic. Dewey is not an ordinary cat but he is not a supercat either. He is a smart, sociable cat, confident, regal, moody, and picky about the food. Dewey can enlighten people’s lives, but he has his own habits and whims, he is cat-like naughty, he has health problems, he is a real living creature. Consequently, Myron’s story about Dewey is not only about him, but also about the real world he lives in.

Therefore, Myron writes about Iowa: its history from the settlement on, its landscape and people and their economic and social situation through time. She also writes about herself and her life, her own personal battles and achievements. Dewey is a strong, bright spark in everything. Thus, as I was reading Myron’s book, I felt just as if I had been there and knew Dewey and experience the life she describes.

The greatest value of the story about Dewey is a testimony about how the little things, such as an abandoned kitten can make a very big difference in people’s lives, even if just for a moment. It is a story about bright and dark sides of life and about how people can make it through difficulties a bit more easily if they stick together than on their own. The book in an inspiration to everyone to lookout for something small which can make your day a little bit better.

RECOMMENDATION: Tissues needed for cat lovers.