Dewey: the Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by
Vicki Myron
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.
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.
Home Sweet Homework by Sharon Marshall Lockett
How often do you hear
things like this from your child? Probably way too often. But there is
some basis to your kid's frustration. Students today have twice
as much homework as you did. That's twice as much reading. Twice as
many definitions. Twice the amount of math problems. It doubles the
workload for your kids—and the headaches for you. Fortunately, there's Home Sweet Homework.
Help your children do their homework—and do it right!
Planning Parenthood by Rebecca Clark, M.D., Ph.D.
Specialist authors first describe fertility assistance, surrogacy, and adoption, clearly outlining the requirements of each strategy. They compare the medical, emotional, financial, and legal investments and risks involved with each of these options. Then they introduce the issues that people will need to consider when deciding which path to parenthood is best for them. Along the way these experts offer encouragement for changing course under any number of circumstances.
Supporting the detailed information in this book are personal stories of the often long, winding, and emotional road to parenthood--from in vitro fertilization to egg donation to surrogacy to adoption.
Armed with professional knowledge and inspired by the experiences of others who have gone before them, prospective parents will be informed and reassured by this unique resource.
Pressured Parents, Stressed-Out Kids by Wendy S. Grolnick,
Ph.D.
Leading child
researcher Grolnick and educational and parenting journalist Seal offer
this illuminating and accessible guide to channeling competitive anxiety
into positive parenting.
