Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
T. S. Eliot, illustrations by Edward Gorey
Harcourt Brace and Company
Fiction, CH? Humor/Poetry
Themes: Anthropomorphism, Classics, Felines
*****
Description
Originally published in 1939, these verses are the basis of the long-running musical Cats. The poems included are about a number of cats doing a number of things, from magical tricks to thieving to training up delinquent cockroaches, plus such important lessons as how to address a cat and the three names of our feline friends. This edition includes illustrations by Edward Gorey.
Review
This book is a classic among feline fanciers, with good reason. Felinekind is celebrated in lively verse, with a wide variety of whimsical characters. Gorey's illustrations are charming, a perfect complement to the poetry. (As a minor warning, this book was written some years ago and contains a few words that may not fly well with modern audiences, such as referring to the Chinese as "chinks.") If you love cats and have never read this book, you owe it to yourself to track down a copy. Trust me, it's worth the effort!