Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
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| Author |
Vicki Myron Bret Witter |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Front cover photo of Dewey by Rick Krebsbach |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Dewey Readmore Books |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Grand Central Publishing |
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Publication date
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2008 |
| Pages | 304 |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 191865523 |
| LC Class | SF445.5 .M97 2008 |
| Followed by | Dewey's Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-Town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions |
Dewey: A Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World is a best-selling non-fiction book published in September 2008. The book covers the life and times of Dewey Readmore Books, the cat in residence at the Spencer Public Library in Spencer, Iowa. Grand Central Publishing paid $1.2 million to then-library director Vicki Myron and co-author Bret Witter for the rights to the cat's life story.
In addition to discussing Dewey's life from his discovery in the library drop bin on a cold winter's night, to his unlikely fame, to his death in 2006, the book also talks about the life of his caretaker, Vicki Myron, including her early life and struggles with illness and single motherhood. Dewey is portrayed as a loving cat who primarily lived in the library and connected with patrons.
A feature film is being adapted from the novel, and is expected to star Meryl Streep. Myron said, "No contracts are signed yet. Somebody leaked it to the press, but we're working with New Line Cinema. They're buying the option to make the movie and Meryl Streep will be playing me." She added, "I always knew there would probably be a movie. We had planned that early on once we knew the book was good. But I guess I'm surprised at the Meryl Streep thing. I was hoping for her early on and she agreed. It's wonderful."
A reviewer for Teacher Librarian wrote, "Any cat lover or pet owner should be charmed by this story of a wonderful feline."The Globe and Mail wrote, "Myron tells a series of frankly sad stories about people and cats knocked about by life... Each story is, by turns, bleak and uplifting... The writing is plain and direct, and largely devoid of sentimentality."
The School Library Journal (SLJ) reviewed Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library!, saying, "This heartwarming picture book is based on the authors' adult title, Dewey (Grand Central, 2008). It describes how on a cold night Myron found a tiny kitten in the return box at Spencer Public Library in Iowa, and the feline's impact on the library community. Dewey Readmore Books overcame unpleasant encounters with young children who picked him up upside down or petted him the wrong way and settled in, "happy" to help people. The realistic illustrations, done in vibrant watercolors, bring the tale to life (the orange cat's expressions are priceless). The story moves along swiftly, and will be a hit with readers requesting animal books."
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