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.
Spencer, Iowa and patrons of the Spencer library can thank Vicki Myron and the rest of the library staff for the success and care of Dewey over his lifetime. They are largely responsible for the positive impact Dewey had on individuals and the community as a whole.
The relating of Dewey's story (and that of the Spencer area) could not be better written thanks to Bret Witter. It's a book you don't want to stop reading and a story you don't want to end. It'll make you wish you had visited Dewey at the Spencer library (I know I wish I had).
Definitely one of the best books I have read in years!
A book not to miss -- a great gift for readers of all ages.
writes,
Written by: Vicki Myron with Bret Witter
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
Reviewed by: Stephanie Rollins for ReviewYourBook.com
ISBN: 978-0-446-40741-0
5 Stars
A joy to read...
Dewey began his career as a library cat on a cold morning when he was found in the book return bin. Considered exceptionally handsome, Dewey won the hearts of the town of Spencer in Iowa. Through trying financial times, he was a beacon of hope.
Dewey was named in honor of the Dewey Decimal System. He had an addiction to rubber bands. He came to Spencer at a time when farmers were struggling more than usual to make ends meet. Most of the town relied on farm work.
The library became a make-shift employment center, helping with resumes and job searches. Dewey gave the disheartened patrons a brush on the leg or a chance to rub him. It is hard to focus on your struggles when you have a purring ball of fur at your fingertips.
This is a warm and fuzzy tale (pun intended). It is not only about Dewey. It is about a town that refused to be the victim of financial difficulties. This tale is perfectly written in a flowing style. What a joy to read! Read and recommend!
writes,
Remember Marley: A Dog Like No Other, a canine greatly loved by his master? Well, here is Dewey, an abandoned orange kitten not only beloved by his mistress but by the entire town of Spencer, Iowa.
Dewey's origins were questionable as was his introduction to library director Vicki Myron. January 18, 1988 was a frigid Monday in Spencer. "It was a killing freeze, the kind that made it almost painful to breathe." When Vicki arrived at the library that morning her assistant told her she had heard a noise coming from a metal slot, the library's after-hours drop box behind the building. Soon, they both heard the noise and thought it was an animal. The opening of the box was only a few inches wide, so whatever it was had to be very small. Being metal the box was even colder than it was outside, and there in a corner of the box was a tiny kitten.
It was the most pitiful thing she had ever seen, so thin she could see every rib, and she could feel its heart beating, its lungs pumping. "The poor kitten was so weak it could barely hold up its head, and it was shaking uncontrollably. It opened its mouth, but the sound which came two seconds later, was weak and ragged." But one look into his big eyes and she was Dewey's and he was hers.
Dewey was not the only one who had endured hardship - Vicki was a single mom who had lost the family farm and survived an abusive husband. The people of Spencer were going through tough times during the farm crisis of that time. Depression, ennui seemed to be everywhere.
Nonetheless, Vicki was determined to capture the interest of those who came to the small library and hopefully make them a little happier. With the help of Dewey she did that and more. For 19 years he returned the affection of the townspeople twofold, amusing them, enchanting them, rubbing against many hands in gratitude for their caresses.
What difference can one small animal make? Dewey's story spread across state lines and even around the world. In 2003 Japanese Public Television filmed Dewey, and his obituary ran in well over 200 newspapers. His story will warm your hearts, make you laugh and cry. Don't miss it.
