Former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal recently published his first book. Entitled, Veto, the Governor's Cat, the book is centered around Deal's own pet. In the story, Veto experiences what many young children face in our society: change, fear, loss, and grief. The book also celebrates new friendships, and the importance of bravery and kindness.
This week, Deal visited Statesboro to share his book with our community.
Ogeechee Tech Book Signing
Deal arrived at Ogeechee Technical College for his Bulloch County book signing on Wednesday afternoon, September 11, 2024.
The atrium in the Jack Hill Building was filled with people eager to meet the former governor, and the book's illustrator, Cheryl Riner Hodge. Nestled at a table by the entrance, the creative duo chatted with attendees and posed for photographs. The event was held from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
Kiwanis Club Meeting
Deal also took center stage at the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro this week, captivating the audience with heartfelt stories about his late wife, Sandra Deal, and her lifelong commitment to literacy. He also shared a behind-the-scenes look at his book, inspired by their time at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion.
The meeting began with club announcements, including a countdown to the eagerly awaited Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair, only 41 days away. Attendees were reminded to sign up for service committees and volunteer opportunities in preparation for the upcoming event. Afterward, Judge Lovett Bennett Jr. introduced Deal, highlighting his deep roots in Bulloch County and his legacy of public service.
Governor Deal shared touching anecdotes about his wife, Sandra Deal, who served as Georgia’s First Lady from 2011 to 2018. He credited her with making literacy her life’s mission, reading to children in every single county and school district in Georgia—more than 1,000 classrooms in total. Her dedication was legendary, and Deal estimates she read to nearly a quarter of a million Georgia children during her time as First Lady.
During the event, the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro presented a $2,000 donation to the Deal Foundation in honor of Sandra’s commitment to literacy.
Veto the Governor’s Cat is a unique children’s story featuring two real-life cats that lived at the Governor’s Mansion—Veto and Bill. As Deal shared the story behind the book, the audience was treated to a preview of the whimsical characters and moral lessons woven throughout its pages.
“The premise of the book is that children sometimes learn best through stories told by animals,” Deal explained. He introduced several of the book’s characters, such as Raquel, the “sexy raccoon,” and Percival, the opossum with a flair for drama, each imparting a lesson about friendship, courage, and acceptance. The book also touches on difficult subjects like loss, as Veto copes with the death of his brother, Bill, in a way that is gentle and accessible for young readers.
Local artist Cheryl Hodge, who illustrated the book, was also present at the meeting. She described the collaborative process of bringing the characters to life through her illustrations.
“Governor Deal was very specific about wanting the illustrations to be realistic, not cartoonish,” Hodge noted, adding that she had never met Veto in person but worked from photos and descriptions to capture his likeness.
After wrapping up his talk, Deal hinted that he might not be done with writing just yet. When asked if there would be any future books featuring Veto or other characters, Deal chuckled and replied, “We’ll see. This one’s been successful so far, so maybe.”
Governor Deal’s presence at the Kiwanis Club served as a reminder of his lasting impact on the state of Georgia, both in politics and through his personal contributions to literacy. His latest endeavor, Veto the Governor's Cat, stands as a tribute to his late wife’s mission and a testament to the power of stories in shaping young minds. The book is now available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble, with plans for future readings and signings across the state, including a stop in Savannah.
About Nathan & Sandra Deal
Deal was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the served in the Georgia State Senate before being elected gubernatorial position. He served as Georgia's 82nd governor from 2011 to 2019.
Deal wrote the book for his late wife, Sandra, a public school ELA teacher who passed away in 2022. Sandra was passionate about reading and visited many schools during her tenure as the First Lady of Georgia.
A portion of the proceeds from the book will benefit literacy and other educational initiatives throughout the state of Georgia via The Deal Foundation.
For more information about the book, please visit https://vetothecat.com/.
