‘Sandy Paws’ online story time to start June 16

New Castle County Libraries will host three Zoom-based, third-Wednesday adult story times focused on the award-winning short story collection “Sandy Paws: Dogs and Cats of Delmarva,” published by Cat & Mouse Press of Lewes. The events will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesdays, June 16, July 21 and Aug. 18.

Each evening will feature different stories from the book, authors of those stories, and the pets that inspired them. The events will also showcase PAWS for People, a local organization that provides individualized therapeutic pet visits. Cat & Mouse Press is donating 20 percent of the sales of books during the events to the organization. The story times are free, but registration is required and space is limited. To register, go to delawarelibraries.libcal.com.

The stories in “Sandy Paws” are diverse. Many are light, like the one that concerns a dog and cat that magically switch bodies and find new ways to antagonize each other, but some are poignant. In “Trooper,” a veteran returns from Afghanistan, bringing with her a dog that had been injured by shrapnel. Together, they learn to overcome their fear of Cape Henlopen’s sandy beach, which triggers their memories of desert warfare. The book includes photos of some of the animals that inspired the stories and poems.

Story time registrants will be sent the Zoom link prior to the events. Individual registration is required for each date. Participants will be able to listen to the stories, chat with the authors and even show off their own pets if they wish. Adults rarely have the opportunity to have someone read to them, but here is that chance. Anyone who likes dogs, cats, and the beach will be in for an entertaining evening.

PAWS for People is a nonprofit organization committed to providing therapeutic visits to any person in the community who would benefit from interaction with a well-trained, loving pet. PAWS visits people of all ages, ethnicities and income levels in hospitals and skilled-care facilities, chemical dependency centers and schools.

Cat & Mouse Press publishes beach reads for adults and children. Its award-winning books feature local settings throughout Delmarva. 

For more information, go to pawsforpeople.org and catandmousepress.com.