ROCHESTER — Children at Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library were visited by an unlikely pair of guests. A paramedic, turned children’s author and a cat who survived a tornado, walks on a leash, and became the topic of two books shared their story at the library on Tuesday, July 23.

On June 1, 2011 the small town of Brimfield in Hampden County, Massachusetts was struck by a tornado, leaving Toto the kitten to fend for himself in the top of a tree in the forest. After being rescued by a worker in the post-storm clean up effort, the six to ten-day-old kitten was taken to the Brimfield Fire Station, and then the Animal Rescue League of Boston, where he stayed for about two months.

Brimfield Paramedic Jonathan Hall adopted Toto, and wrote his first book titled “Toto the Tornado Kitten” to tell the cat’s survival story. The book was published in 2012, and after its unexpected success, Hall published a follow-up rhyming book titled “Oh Toto, Where Did You Go?” in 2013.

Both books were illustrated by Carol Ruzicka. So far the books, sold at $10 each, have raised about $70,000 with proceeds going to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Thomas J. O’ Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center in Springfield, and other local shelters in Massachusetts.

The first book tells the story of how Toto was rescued, and placed in his new home with Hall, while the second highlights the many places the cat visits through a rhyming scenario told by Hall. As Hall searches for his missing cat, he discovers that Toto has been seen at the fire station, on a school bus, at a nursing home, on television, and at a coffee shop. Hall later returns to find Toto asleep at home.

The book closes with Toto saying “of all the places I went, when I got out to roam, I found the best place to be is right here at home.”

After reading both books at Plumb Library, Hall taught a brief sign language lesson, and had children guess facts about his interesting cat.

Hall taught signs for words related to the book, such as “cat”, and “tornado,” as well as the signs to say “thank you” and “you’re welcome.”

Children took guesses at Toto’s age, weight, length from his nose to the tip of his tail, and number of whiskers. This exercise helped teach measurements with weight being measured in pounds, length in inches, and age in years. After giving their best estimates, Hall told children that Toto is 11 lbs, 33 inches long, just turned eight-years-old, and has 24 whiskers.

Hall also told children and parents about many of Toto’s unique quirks. Toto is comfortable walking on a leash, likes being held upside down, and enjoys “people food” like cucumbers and Doritos.

Toto sat patiently in a chair while Hall read to children, and awaited a line of excited kids who all greeted him and showed affection at the end of the event.

Hall attributes Toto’s tolerant nature to the fact that he was handled by many different people as a kitten.

He donated copies of his books to the library and sold other copies to children with his signature, and Toto’s paw print (made from a special stamp).

Hall said his visit to Rochester was part of his southeastern Massachusetts tour. He had visited a library in Middleborough earlier in the day, and packed his bags to go to Duxbury later in the afternoon.

Library Assistant Lisa Fuller helped coordinate the event, and said that the staff at Plumb Library is always looking to bring new things to families.