The author of the new children's book about 'Dewey the Library Cat' talks about the real Dewey

November 5, 11:58 AMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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He's a cute and cuddly star of the new children's book "Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library." His name: Dewey Readmore Books... and he is based on a real cat so inspirational that his story appeared in dozens of national magazines, hundreds of newspapers, a popular documentary in Japan and has a book about his life.
Now Vicki Myron who wrote the best-selling adult book about Dewey (and cared for him in real life) is bringing his story to kids with "Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library." The book is aimed at kids 3-6 years old. It is told from Dewey’s point of view as he goes from being an abandoned kitten in the library book drop slot to one of the most famous library cat in the world. In the end, Dewey discovers that his mission is to help people big and small by sharing his special brand of feline love with the people he meets and beyond. I asked Vicki about Dewey and the book...  

Examiner: How did you come to meet Dewey?

Vicki: Dewey was thrown in the book drop of Spencer Public Library on January 18th, 1988 when he was a kitten. I rescued him and decided to adopt him as the library cat.

Examiner: Pets can enrich their owners lives and Dewey was no different. He was everyone at the library's pet. Tell me about how he touched the lives of so many.

Vicki: Dewey had a secret when dealing with so many strangers. Even though 300 people came through the door every day, he could communicate with all of them. Thousands of folks have said to me "I know Dewey loved everyone, but he and I had this special bond..." He made each person feel special.

Vicki Myron with the real Dewey in December 2004

Examiner:  Why did you decide to write about Dewey?

Vicki: So many folks asked me to do it and the agents and publishers came to me, I didn't go to them. I knew we had a wonderful story to tell.

Examiner: What does the children's book add to Dewey's story that wasn't captured in the adult book?

Vicki: I think it adds to the humor of his life, an understanding of his empathy with people and shows his kitten cuteness.

Examiner: A best-selling book, a kids book, and even a movie in the works with Meryl Streep playing you. Can you believe all this came about because of a cat in a library?

Vicki: No, I knew the story would be big because Dewey's whole life was that way, but the impact it has has on stranger's lives from around the world is amazing to me.

Examiner: What lessons can be learned from your children's book and the story of Dewey in general?

Vicki:  Dewey's big lesson is that every person counts equally. He didn't care if you were rich, cute, big, small, what color or what race. He was pure love if you treated him kindly.

Examiner: Anything else you want to add?

Vicki: Dewey was my special buddy. He took care of me for years as I took care of him. I was his human voice when he was alive and I find it amusing that I am still telling his story for him all these years later. I think that would make him smile and he is probably laughing out there somewhere.