Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched The World - Reception

Reception

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." Another reviewer wrote, "The attractive full colour illustrations have a photographic quality while the children reflect a variety of backgrounds. Paw print end papers are well-matched to this heart-warming story... The observation that Dewey 'read with the mummies and grandmas helped the daddies work' may well be true but could be interpreted as gender stereotyping in a 21st century library. Nonetheless this is an endearing read which will appeal to children under eight and librarians/catlovers of all ages."

SLJ also reviewed Dewey: The True Story of a World-Famous Library Cat: "Myron's best seller about the resident cat at the Spencer Public Library in Iowa has been adapted for middle grade readers. The references to most of the author's personal problems, which peppered her adult book, have been removed, and Dewey's story stands on its own... astute readers will also pick up on the message that a town's heart beats strongest in its library."

Dewey the Library Cat (Brilliance Audio) was reviewed by SLJ, too: "Dewey's story is heartwarming and amusing as the cat wins over even the most recalcitrant of patrons. Children will giggle at his antics, delight in his eccentricities, and mourn his eventual passing. Laura Hamilton narrates the chapter book with panache and warmth."