Dewey The Library Cat: A True Story by Vicki Myron and Brett WitterPublication Date: May 2010
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Non-Fiction, Animals, Cats
Young Readers Ages 8-12
ISBN-13: 9780316068710
ISBN: 0316068713
(Audio book from the Library)
Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Books-A-Million, IndieBound
If you live in Morehead, KY or the surrounding area:
Purchase from our local independent bookseller: CoffeeTree Books
Borrow from our local library: The Rowan County Public Library
Dewey on the Web: Website
Spencer Public Library: Website
Excerpt from Dewey The Library Cat
Book Trailer:
Synopsis (Publisher's Weekly):
Librarian Myron's popular adult memoir, Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, about the adopted cat who became the mascot of her Iowa library, finds yet another life in this middle-grade adaptation, which also follows Myron and Witter's 2009 picture book version. At it's core, the story - Spencer Public Library staff and patrons rally around the tiny ginger-colored kitten abandoned in the book drop on a freezing winter's night - remains as heartwarming as ever. Young animal lovers, especially, will enjoy learning about how the cat, Dewey Readmore Books, endeared himself to the library visitors ( he was always happy to receive a petting or to nap on welcoming laps) and how his fame spread nationally and beyond U.S. shores thanks to profiles in various cat publications. Myron's friendly and pleasantly pragmatic voice, as well as her mostly judicious selection of anecdotes, brings poignancy to the tale of her special bond with Dewey. Her story also offers readers another bit of insight how animals and humans can emotionally enrich each others lives. Ages 8-12.
Thoughts:
There were a couple of reasons I decided to listen to the middle grade adaptation of the story of Dewey Readmore Books. I was priviledged to be able to review Dewey's Nine Lives last year and really loved the stories about the Spencer Public Library's, library cat. Many of you know that Dewey was small kitten left in the book drop at the library on a freezing cold Iowa night. His story has touched millions of people around the world. I was so interested in Dewey's story that I happened to mention it to my daughters who became interested as well. So as a family we decided to listen to Dewey's story on audio in the evenings while they were getting ready for bed. We listened to Dewey's story around 30 minutes a night and it was a great experience for the girls and myself. We have had a few kittens along the way that have touched our lives and this story was a affirmation of how pets can enrich your life in many ways.
I thought that Myron and Witter did an excellent job of adapting the book for a younger audience. Dewey's story is something that captured the interest of not only adults, but of children who are so much more attuned to how much a pet can mean in their lives. The story of Dewey's antics in and outside the library was fascinating. He had so much personality! It's amazing how each pet or animal is so much different than the next. Myron and Witter showed Dewey's personality through how he interacted with the staff and library patrons and even with the vet.
One of our favorite parts of story described how Dewey got out the door of the library and out into the wide world. He thought he knew what he wanted, but it wasn't what he expected and he was almost lost to the library for good. Luckily someone found him and returned him to the safety of his home. Not something he ever wanted to try again! We also really enjoyed the part about Dewey's appearance on the Japanese television program. It was amazing that he did everything they wanted him to do, when they wanted him to. It was like he knew he was helping the library. We cried over a few parts as well as Dewey got older and began to have problems. All in all it was a wonderful story that I was able to share with my daughters and that made it all the more special to me.
Audio books are a great way to share reading and some special moments with your kids...
Dewey the Library Cat is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
Librarian Myron's popular adult memoir, Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, about the adopted cat who became the mascot of her Iowa library, finds yet another life in this middle-grade adaptation, which also follows Myron and Witter's 2009 picture book version. At it's core, the story - Spencer Public Library staff and patrons rally around the tiny ginger-colored kitten abandoned in the book drop on a freezing winter's night - remains as heartwarming as ever. Young animal lovers, especially, will enjoy learning about how the cat, Dewey Readmore Books, endeared himself to the library visitors ( he was always happy to receive a petting or to nap on welcoming laps) and how his fame spread nationally and beyond U.S. shores thanks to profiles in various cat publications. Myron's friendly and pleasantly pragmatic voice, as well as her mostly judicious selection of anecdotes, brings poignancy to the tale of her special bond with Dewey. Her story also offers readers another bit of insight how animals and humans can emotionally enrich each others lives. Ages 8-12.
Thoughts:
There were a couple of reasons I decided to listen to the middle grade adaptation of the story of Dewey Readmore Books. I was priviledged to be able to review Dewey's Nine Lives last year and really loved the stories about the Spencer Public Library's, library cat. Many of you know that Dewey was small kitten left in the book drop at the library on a freezing cold Iowa night. His story has touched millions of people around the world. I was so interested in Dewey's story that I happened to mention it to my daughters who became interested as well. So as a family we decided to listen to Dewey's story on audio in the evenings while they were getting ready for bed. We listened to Dewey's story around 30 minutes a night and it was a great experience for the girls and myself. We have had a few kittens along the way that have touched our lives and this story was a affirmation of how pets can enrich your life in many ways.
I thought that Myron and Witter did an excellent job of adapting the book for a younger audience. Dewey's story is something that captured the interest of not only adults, but of children who are so much more attuned to how much a pet can mean in their lives. The story of Dewey's antics in and outside the library was fascinating. He had so much personality! It's amazing how each pet or animal is so much different than the next. Myron and Witter showed Dewey's personality through how he interacted with the staff and library patrons and even with the vet.
One of our favorite parts of story described how Dewey got out the door of the library and out into the wide world. He thought he knew what he wanted, but it wasn't what he expected and he was almost lost to the library for good. Luckily someone found him and returned him to the safety of his home. Not something he ever wanted to try again! We also really enjoyed the part about Dewey's appearance on the Japanese television program. It was amazing that he did everything they wanted him to do, when they wanted him to. It was like he knew he was helping the library. We cried over a few parts as well as Dewey got older and began to have problems. All in all it was a wonderful story that I was able to share with my daughters and that made it all the more special to me.
Audio books are a great way to share reading and some special moments with your kids...
Dewey the Library Cat is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
1 comment:
wow. This book get a high rating from you. It has been on my TBR for years. I think I should pick it up from the bookstore.
No hard feeling,
but I think you should put "spoiler alert" in this post
:)
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