Former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal had finished his two terms in office when his wife, a tireless advocate for children’s literacy, asked him a question: Would he write a children’s book?
As first lady, Sandra Deal’s passion for literacy led her to read to children in more than 1,000 schools and pre-K programs across each of the state’s 159 counties. Even after leaving the Governor’s Mansion, she still received requests to read to children at schools and libraries.
“She told me, ‘You know, I’ve read all the good books that I (own). I want you to write me one,’” Deal recalled. “So, I said, ‘OK.’ You know, you’ll promise anything if you don’t have a deadline.”
About a year later, the Deals learned the former first lady’s breast cancer had spread, so the former governor got to work on the book he promised. She gave him a thumbs-up on his original manuscript before she died in 2022.
“This whole book is in honor and memory of her,” he said.
Deal, who served as Georgia’s governor from 2011 to 2019, has since published his finished book, Veto, The Governor’s Cat. The story follows the adventures of the Deals’ two rescue cats, Veto and Bill.
On Sept. 9, Deal will continue his late wife’s legacy when he reads to elementary students at Roberts Academy at Mercer University, which opened its doors last month. Roberts Academy is Georgia’s only school for dyslexic students outside metro Atlanta and the most affordable for dyslexic students in the state.
Following the reading, Deal will hold a book signing from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the cafetorium at Roberts Academy, located at 1027 Linden Ave., about two blocks from Mercer’s Macon campus. Books will be available to purchase at the event, which is open to the public.
“It is entirely fitting that Mercer is hosting a book signing for Veto, The Governor’s Cat and that it is taking place at our recently opened Roberts Academy, whose mission is to help dyslexic children become proficient readers,” Mercer President William D. Underwood said. “It is also fitting because Gov. Deal is one of the University’s most accomplished and distinguished alums and a current member of our Board of Trustees.”
The visit will be a homecoming of sorts for Deal, who earned both his bachelor’s and law degrees at Mercer. He also was appointed Distinguished University Professor of Government.
“It’s special for me to go back to Mercer and Macon and be able to present this book,” he said.
Veto, The Governor’s Cat is based on the lives of Veto and Bill, who were brought to the Governor’s Mansion to protect the garden from chipmunks and later moved with the Deals to Habersham County after they left office.
“The incoming governor, Gov. (Brian) Kemp, he had dogs, and they had never really been around cats, so we figured for the sake of Bill and Veto, they better come with us,” said Deal, who still lives with Veto today.
Throughout the book, Veto and Bill go on fun adventures and encounter challenges that children may relate to, such as moving, making friends and losing a loved one. The cats meet many different animals on their journey, all of whom impart a lesson and help Veto and Bill understand their complex emotions.
“It’s a children’s book that’s designed not only to teach them how to read but also to convey moral principles, good life principles, and you can do that sometimes through the eyes and the mouths of animals,” Deal said.
Helen the heron teaches patience as she fishes, and Oliver the owl tells the cats how to be brave in the dark. Percy, a possum, who speaks the King’s English, plays dead to introduce the concept of death.
“Priscilla the porcupine, because of her body shape, can’t do everything that Veto can do, but they can still be friends,” Deal said. “Even Grumpy the groundhog … he makes Veto conscious of the blessings he has.”
In sharing the story of Veto and Bill, Deal honors and continues his wife’s advocacy work. A portion of the proceeds from Veto, The Governor’s Cat will support literacy projects and other educational initiatives through The Deal Foundation.
