Meet two of the most famous library cats in the world
Baker and Taylor
- We received a complimentary ecopy of this lovely book for review. The opinions here are 100% our own and we are responsible for the content of this post. We only share news and products we feel are relevant to our readers
The story of these two wonderful library cats is told from the perspective of one of their two library ‘moms’, Jan Louch, who introduced the cats to their library home, and chronicles their time there. The story is much richer for being part cat tale and part a loving reflection on the world of the librarian. It becomes a much richer and deeper story as it sets the cats in a place and time we should treasure.
The collection of memories and remembered details, the small stories and incidents, the libraries’ visitors, all add up to a book that is both a celebration of Baker and Taylor and to their time in a world where libraries were evolving at lightening speed.
How the Library Cat Story Began
Jan starts by sharing her early love of animals and books, and many of us will identify with her as the keen youngster devouring books by the dozen, deeply loving the very act of reading itself.
You sympathise, as the story develops, with the adult Jan abruptly thrown into a divorce and life on her own. As part of her journey, she finds herself successfully applying for a position at the Minden branch of the Douglas County Library in Nevada. It’s here that the story of Baker and Taylor un’folds’. Baker is first to arrive and gets his name from sleeping in a Baker and Taylor book box!
The two delightful Scottish Folds, ostensibly brought in to tackle a mouse problem, become firm favourites and are greatly loved in the library. Then Jan is asked by long-established book distribution company Baker and Taylor if the cats can be photographed for some company publicity material and from here their fame grows and grows.
The Book is an insight into Libraries of the Past and Present
- There are so many wonderful pictures in the book that we have assembled a slideshow to allow you to see a library cat selection. All of the images are within copyright to Jan Louch, Baker & Taylor, Miss Kramm and others. We confess a real fondness for Mr Figini in the book.
Check out the Library Cats slideshow here:-
Library Cats and Education
The story of Baker and Taylor is bound up in the library’s develoment and growth. It is also, in the mind of one visionary teacher, a key part in the encouragement and growth of literacy in her students.
Leslie Kramm and her students formed a Baker and Taylor fan club and wrote to the cats. Their teacher also composed a song which can be seen in the video below. In spite of our electronic age, to see the magic effect one book can have on school children is a delight.
Jan responds to their letters right up until the time Baker, then Taylor passes away – a point which is covered with great sensitivity for us and the young students she writes to. You will love the effect that the cats have on people around the world.
You see how we as humans, relate so strongly to the cats we love, even if we never meet them. Check out the video of Miss Kramm’s class, it is a real delight and worth every second of your time.
Baker and Taylor stole a million hearts as the face of a book company and as representatives of their own library.
This book celebrates two much loved library cats, their lives and times, and, as a special treat, also introduces us to some library cats still working today and an author who had Baker and Taylor catnapped in her first book (which became the first of a wildly popular series!) This added extra touch makes the book into something special!
“Baker and Taylor The Library Cats Who Left Their Pawprints on a Small Town . . and the World” :-
- Hardcover Indiebound, Barnes & Noble, BooksaMillion, Amazon etc.,
- ISBN: 9781250081070
- ISBN10: 1250081076
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Alexander Bellotti says
I just finished reading “The True Tails of Baker and Taylor.” It is a wonderful book, full of warmth and heart. I laughed and cried, and heartily recommend it for anyone who loves Libraries, books and cats!
Beth says
How fun would that be to see two cats in a library! I bet it is a great book
Beth says
I love seeing cats in unexpected places like stores. It would be so much fun to see two in a library. Sounds like a great book!
Lindsay Pevny says
This is too adorable. I had no idea cats were such great library animals.
MattieDog says
Library kitties! Now I wish our local library had a kitty 🙂 Great review and sounds like a read we’d love!
Sweet Purrfections says
Great review. The local “whole foods” pet store has a store kitty in it.
Gone to the Snow Dogs says
I think every library should have cats! How fun is this! What an amazing story!
Dusty Desert Dogs says
I wish I had a library cat at my library!
Talent Hounds says
Love the sound of these cats and the book. Lovely review.
Kelsie says
I think every library needs a library cat 😉 I’ll have to check this one out!
Kia says
Aw! How cool 🙂 Sounds like a good & sweet read.
Tenacious Little Terrier says
I’ve never met a library cat. I’d like to!
Dash Kitten says
Ooh so would I!!!!
Bryn Nowell says
Awww, this warms my heart! I hope to have a chance to read this book! My mom is a retired elementary school reading consultant, and my father is a retired high school english teacher so I grew up in libraries. I would have loved visiting with some kitties while reading to my heart’s content!
M. K. Clinton says
Every library would benefit from having a cat. I love this story.
Carleen says
Awesome! I love it when businesses and public places have cats!
Sherri says
I’m a big fan of Dewey the Library Cat.
nichole says
What a sweet story!
Golden Daily Scoop says
Looks like a great book, thanks for the review!
Kelly says
I’ve not heard of these cats before! How cool to have cats working in a library. Sounds like a fun book to read.
Basil says
Looks like a fab book, we’ll add it to the P.A.’s reading list!
Purrs
Basil & Co xox
Dash Kitten says
We really enjoyed it Basil.
Three Chatty Cats says
Thanks for the review. I need to check this book out.
Seville at Nerissa's Life says
I heard about this book! Sounds great.
Purrs,
Seville
meowmeowmans says
What a great sounding book. We’re putting it on our reading list! 🙂
Summer says
My human has been fascinated by Baker and Taylor (the cats) for a long time!
Noodle says
Great review!
Have a super weekend…
Noodle and crew
The Island Cats says
We just won this book from The Kitties Blue and the mom can’t wait to read it.
Dash Kitten says
It is a good read!
The Swiss Cats says
Great review ! Purrs
Kitties Blue says
Great review. We loved this book and hope everyone reads it! XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Brian Frum says
They are amazing!