I am not a cat person, however, it's not because of a dislike of cats. Everyone in my family is allergic to them - ranging from minor to severe. So while I probably won't ever have a cat, I have developed a very fond appreciation for them. They're cute, independent, and most importantly full of personality. So in honor of my appreciation for the pet I will never have, I have put together a list of book recommendations that show off the magic of cats to celebrate today: National Cat Day.
1. Dewey by Vicki Myron
I am a sucker for heartwarming animal stories, and Dewey's story is exactly that! After he was saved from being shoved in a book slot, this cat helped first his library family before building connections with the entire world! What I love about this story is it not only shows the importance of pet relationships but is also an important story about how to support your own community. It shows us no person - or cat - is too small to make a difference, and that is an important lesson for all of us!
Dewey is available through Hachette Book Group
2. We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
Imagine going to the doctor and instead of prescribing you medicine, they instead prescribe a cat for you to bring home. That is the premise of this heartwarming little book, which reminds us how magical the human-animal relationships are. However, this book also is truly about overcoming the obstacles that come with life, from loneliness to self-discovery. And while it's a fast read, it will stay with you for a long time.
We'll Prescribe You a Cat is available through Penguin Random House
3. The Cat That Saves Books by Natsukawa Sosuke
Important note for this one: the cat talks! Rintaro and his cat Tiger are on a mission: to save unloved books from the people who appreciate them. Because, as every true book lover knows, any time someone who loves books talks about them, their face lights up. It's not only a good reminder of the importance of books, but of the adventures they take us on along the way.
The Cat Who Saved Books is available through Pan Macmillan