June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and Paperbacks and Pieces bookstore is celebrating with a special Summer Story Time collaboration on Thursday, June 22.

At 10:00 a.m., join local children’s author Jenny Baertsch and the Winona Area Humane Society at the bookstore. Baertsch will read aloud two chapters from her book Junkyard Tough: A “Tail” of Bravery, which is the tale of a cat named Boots Meowington and his journey to understanding bravery. Also, members from the Humane Society will be onsite to discuss the importance of animal adoption, explain how to care for cats and kittens, and answer questions about adopting a cat in June.

No registration is required but responding “Going” on the special Facebook event is encouraged for organizers to gauge attendance. The event can be found on the Facebook pages for Paperbacks and Pieces or Baertsch Books.

Attendees are invited to celebrate this special cat-themed event by dressing up like cats or bringing in cat stuffed animals. Wear cat ears, a cat shirt, or even draw whiskers on your face! Dressing-up is encouraged but certainly not required.

Created entirely in Winona, autographed copies of Junkyard Tough will be available at the event for $9.99 and include a free magnetic cat bookmark based on the book’s main character.

Operating since 1992, the Winona Area Humane Society is a nonprofit, no-kill shelter that places hundreds of cats and dogs in loving forever homes every year.

Established in 1977, Paperbacks and Pieces is Winona’s oldest and largest bookstore.