How much of an impact can an animal have? How many lives can one cat touch? How is it possible for an abandoned kitten to transform a small library, save a classic American town, and eventually become famous around the world? You can't even begin to answer those questions until you hear the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa.

Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. Only a few weeks old, on the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into the returned book slot at 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 town pulling its way slowly back from the greatest crisis in its long history.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Not Just for Animal Lovers! Even the jaded will appreciate this cat tail.
Comment: Don't let the fear of mush scare you away from Dewey! This book is not as mushy as it is real. The author describes the Iowa town vividly--you FEEL the cold, you feel the poor kitten shivering...For all of us, animal lovers or not, this book will make you feel like small town America is alive and well, and that it lives not only in small towns, but anyplace where people reach out to do the right thing, to care for the helpless who are unable to care for themselves. We take this trip with the people of Spencer, Iowa: We want to be right there with them, we want such a place to be our home as well. The story is even more amazing because it's true. It would be almost as evocative even if it was a work of fiction. Hope to hear more from author Vicki Myron.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Dewey, the library cat
Comment: Beautiful story for cat lovers. At times, I had to put the book down as it brought me to tears. Reminded me somewhat of cats I have loved in the past. I felt as if I also knew Dewey as the author writes in a very personal style. I think you would not enjoy the book if you do not love cats.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: It touched my heart.
Comment: If you have ever had a pet that you truly loved, then this book is for you. I fell in love with Dewey reading this book. I can see how he became a star.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: PERRRRRRRRFECT!
Comment: I saw this book the other day while poking around Barnes & Nobles on Sunday. For some reason the picture on the cover grabbed me and I looked at it for a few minutes. I knew if I purchased the book, I would not go to sleep because I would read it to the end. So, I downloaded it the next day and listened while doing my daily work. Our office has thin walls and everyone could hear me laughing out loud at all of the funny things that Dewey would do to the Library and how he would comically touch people in the small community. I was also crying at the end when my boss walked in and asked if I was alright when I turned with tears streaming down my face. I told her yes, it is the sad part in the book.

I am blessed to have a Jimmy Cat in my life and listening to this story has made me think how much Jimmy Cat has blessed me and waits patiently for me everynight to settle down in bed to get his pets and to watch over me dilligently at night. I have type 1 diabetes and there have been several times in the night that I have woken up to him pouncing me on the chest to wake up because I've slipped in to a mild insulin coma. Too much insulin, not enough sugar in my blood stream. Jimmy doesn't want to be hugged or chased after, he just wants his morning scratch and his nightly rub down. He is almost 9 years old and like the author, I love him more than he knows, and he is not my cat, I'm his human!

Thank you so much for bringing this story to life! I will charish it!

Tonja Wheeler
Hutto, TX

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Dewey
Comment: So heart-warming. Makes you like people all over again!
You do not have to be a "cat person", the story is so warm and real.

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