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T. S. Eliot
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Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats Hardcover – Picture Book, August 30, 1982

by T. S. Eliot (Author), Edward Gorey (Illustrator)
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The inspiration for the iconic musical Cats, T. S. Eliot's classic and delightful collection of poetry about cats, with whimsical illustrations by Edward Gorey.

These lovable cat poems were written by T. S. Eliot for his godchildren and continue to delight children and adults alike. This collection is a curious and artful homage to felines young and old, merry and fierce, small and unmistakably round. Also includes Edward Gorey's charming pen and ink illustrations.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    56 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Ecco
  4. Publication date
    August 30, 1982
  5. Grade level
    9 - 6
  6. Reading age
    14 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    5.75 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    0151686564
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0151686568
  10. Lexile measure
    NP
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Enough ferocious fancy and parody to knock the spots off most cat books and most...verses.” — Time “An absolutely marvelous rendition of Eliot’s poetic classic, written for his godchildren and friends in the 1930s, which inspired the Broadway musical Cats.” — Library Journal, starred review —

From the Back Cover

Mr. T.S. Eliot intimate friends received from time to time typewritten verses which were apparently anonymous but which were always identifiable. The poems which concern cats are presented here.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ecco; First Edition (August 30, 1982)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 56 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0151686564
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0151686568
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 years and up
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ NP
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 9 - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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T. S. Eliot

T. S. Eliot

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Thomas Stearns Eliot was born in 1888 in St. Louis, Missouri, and became a British subject in 1927. The acclaimed poet of The Waste Land, Four Quartets, and Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, among numerous other poems, prose, and works of drama, won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1948. T.S. Eliot died in 1965 in London, England, and is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Photo by Lady Ottoline Morrell (1873–1938) derivative work: Octave.H [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
2,794 global ratings
Musical? What musical?
5 Stars
Musical? What musical?
I haven't seen it, don't plan to. I bought this book just as a collection of cat poetry by a well-know author, and was not disappointed. As a cat lover who is really not into poetry, I was looking to see how well the writer knows his subject, and he does. He has created a cast of characters worthy of any alley or basement. My personal favorite has to be Jennyanydots, who lounges all day, but spends her nights cooking for the mice and teaching them music and crocheting.Reviewed by Kathie Freeman.
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Top reviews from the United States

JB
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Easy Reading
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2024
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Unpretentious easy read. Obviously written by someone that knows cats
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Carol M. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Where did “Cats” come from?
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this cute little book strictly on a whim, just wanting to read the poetry of T.S.Eliot that inspired this clever musical play. It was such fun to read the dialogue and then go back and listen to a CD of the musical “Cats”. Makes you appreciate the creative and imaginative musical genius of the composer.
4 people found this helpful
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Sheryl Battles
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite in hardback!!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
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I love T. S. Elliot. This book is a special treasure because of Gorey's artwork. I loved it as a kid and as an old lady. I was so happy to find a hard back edition. There is a particular delight in discovering the resemblance of the cats to some other fictional and nonfictional characters. Sorry, I did not like the musical they made from the idea if this book. But then, I hate nearly all popular musicals. I do love this book and the artwork. It is a classic on my shelf for anytime I, or anyone else needs a smile. I hope you enjoy it and share it with someone, perhaps another generation will love it, too.
2 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 stars Most charming litle illustrated book (comes with excellent CD) I've seen in a long time.
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
I accidentally came across this little booklet and CD called GRUNT – Pigorian Chant,” and I found it to be one of most charming and humorous books I have seen in a long time.
This little book contains the Latin (and even Pig Latin!) texts of a totally fictitious farm, where the animals live on a kind of “Old MacDonald’s Funny Farm,” (this song is indeed mentioned in Latinized form), but strictly regulated and patterned after medieval monastic daily life. The pages opposite to the hilarious Latin texts are helpful English translations—of course, it’s even better if the reader brings along some knowledge of Latin. The Introduction presents a bogus history of the “non-existent farmstead of Snouto Domoinko de Silo,” where the pigs are called twelve times a day to grunt their “unadorned, ethereal music of Pigorian Chant.”
I found especially appealing the mix of different snippets of Latin, ranging from allusions to the Catholic liturgy to Latin proverbs, quotes, puns, and terms. Horace’s famous “Carpe diem!” is quoted in the correct Latin plural command form “Carpite Diem,” when the nervous chickens desperately exhort the lazy pigs (who would as soon snooze and snore the whole day away) to make productive use of the day.
Well-known children’s book illustrator Sarah Boynton contributed caricature-like, but appealing, renditions of pigs, chickens, cows, ducks, and sheep, and the singing voices on the accompanying CD are well chosen, even professional.
While often using the form of parody, the resulting product is never irreverent or offensive—at worst, there may be a slight critique of New Age mindless use of Gregorian chant as background for relaxation exercises.
2 people found this helpful
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Dope Monkey
5.0 out of 5 stars Yes
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024
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Beautifully done, word for word.
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Hobb
4.0 out of 5 stars Small sized Book but packaged very nicely
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2024
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Im giving a four star because it was packaged very nicely with care. I guess I didnt read the description when ordering. The book is nice but it is small almost a pocket size, it only measures 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches, wish it was a slighltly larger font size and perhaps a slightly larger paper size, like an 8 by 10 inches. When reading a page I can see the letters of the page behind it, through the poor quality paper. It is not the suppliers fault, it is just how the books were printed. Overall enjoy the stories and will keep it but might not give to someone as a present. Nice quality books of substanace are becoming more rare. Just a sign of the times.
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Carolyn
5.0 out of 5 stars We both love cats
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2024
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I really enjoyed rereading this book, brought back memories of read it to my son
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Sylvia Lyons
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it.
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2023
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T. S. Elliot is a wonderful poet. His poems on cats make you smile and sometimes laugh. Love it.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Becky
5.0 out of 5 stars fun book to read
Reviewed in Mexico on December 8, 2023
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Very nice book to read to your child before bedtime or at any other time. The descriptions are very entertaining and the illustrations are a perfect combinations
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amanda1601
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2024
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I love these poems, lovely illustrations, I hope my grandson enjoys it as much as I have
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Vivi Figueira
5.0 out of 5 stars Versos nonsense e gatos de um estilo único.
Reviewed in Brazil on April 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
Um livro de pequeno formato e capa dura. Com poemas (nonsense) de T.S. Eliot e ilustrações dos inesquecíveis gatos, do autor-ilustrador Edward Gorey.
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Vivi Figueira
5.0 out of 5 stars Versos nonsense e gatos de um estilo único.
Reviewed in Brazil on April 18, 2019
Um livro de pequeno formato e capa dura. Com poemas (nonsense) de T.S. Eliot e ilustrações dos inesquecíveis gatos, do autor-ilustrador Edward Gorey.
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One person found this helpful
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kyanchan
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful condition
Reviewed in Japan on February 26, 2024
Verified Purchase
It was as new -- very nice condition
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Ana
5.0 out of 5 stars Libro divertido y bonito
Reviewed in Spain on January 2, 2018
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Es un libro muy sencillo pero con unos poemas que te hacen reír si te gustan los gatos. Tiene unas ilustraciones acorde a los poemas. Si te gustan los gatos y TS Elliot seguro que te gustará. Lo leí de corrido y lo volveré a leer.
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