Autographed books available! Get yours today!
Veto, the Governor’s Cat by J. Nathan Deal
Veto, the Governor’s Cat, is the much anticipated children’s book by GA’s 82nd Governor, in honor of his late wife Sandra
About Veto, the Governor’s Cat
Meet Veto
Hi! I’m Veto and I am the real cat of Governor and First Lady Deal. My story is very similar to what many children experience; moving, making friends, finding courage, experiencing loss. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve made many colorful friends who have helped me see life’s blessings. I lived at the Governor’s Mansion and now I live with the Governor in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. I hope you like my story, it’s been a wonderful adventure.
The Author and the Inspiration
As Georgia's 82nd Governor, Nathan Deal, instituted many policies that benefited the citizens of Georgia. Notably, Governor Deal saved Ga's HOPE funding for Pre-K and higher education, incentivized Ga's now booming Film Industry, became a nationally recognized leader in Criminal Justice reform and led Georgia to be the No. 1 State for Business. But for all his many accolades, those who were acquainted with the Deal's knew that First Lady Sandra Deal was the magic behind the man. With her radiant smile and down home charm, Mrs. Deal, a former school teacher, set her eyes on the future generations of Georgians, making early language and literacy her priority. She believed that learning to read was the great equalizer among people, creating endless opportunities for life long learning. Before her passing in 2022, she was ecstatic to know that Nathan had fulfilled his final promise to her, to create a children's book that would continue her legacy and promote literacy to young readers. This is the Governor's first published literary work.
The Illustrator
A professional visual artist, Cheryl owns and operates a successful business in Rome, Georgia. As the co-owner of an art gallery in Augusta, Georgia, her efforts helped rejuvenate the downtown arts scene and “Artists Row” during her residence in the city. Cheryl is a published illustrator. Her first book for a children’s series, “The Adventures of Natty Cat and Libby,” was endorsed by then-Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal for its focus on morals and how to work hard to achieve your dreams. Cheryl has now brought Veto and his friends to life through her gorgeous pen and ink watercolors.
A Legacy of Literacy
As Georgia's First Lady, Sandra Dunagan Deal read aloud in every county and school district in Georgia, in over 1000 classrooms, and to over 250,000 elementary school students. Her joy of reading and love of people, especially children, was sprinkled on everyone she met. Because of her great work, her legacy lives on today through the Deal Foundation Fund with the guidance of The North Georgia Community Foundation. A portion of these proceeds will be donated to the Deal Foundation to support projects, initiatives, and scholarships related to her legacy.
Capturing Life Through Words: The Writing Journey of Veto, the Governor’s Cat
