Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T S Eliot

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T S Eliot
Buy Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T S Eliot at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Children's Rhymes and Verse
Reviewer: Keith Dudhnath
Summary: A glorious edition of TS Eliot's classic cat poems, made all the better thanks to Axel Scheffler's wonderful illustrations. It'll make for a perfect gift for any child and will be treasured for years.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 80	Date: October 2009
Publisher: Faber and Faber
ISBN: 978-0571240616
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In 1939, TS Eliot's cat poems for his godchildren were first published. Seventy years and an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical later, they're republished here, complete with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, best known for his work on The Gruffalo.

Naturally, everyone's old favourites are here: Rum Tum Tugger, Mr Mistoffelees, Macavity and Old Deuteronomy. These are all classic poems that are much-loved by children and adults alike. They cry out to be read aloud, tripping off the tongue and creating a wonderful picture of the fascinating characters. They're as enjoyable as they ever were, and are perfect for a new generation to discover, or older generations to rediscover.

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is a classic that most people have read at one point or another. The question then becomes is this version worth buying if you already have an old battered copy on your shelves already? The answer is a resounding yes. Axel Scheffler's illustrations are gorgeous, and are woven perfectly amongst the words. His moggies will fuel your imagination, but won't dominate it, still allowing you to lose yourself in the words. They straddle the boundaries between realism and anthropomorphism, much like the poems themselves. Young cat-lovers in particular are going to be delighted.

It would make a perfect birthday or Christmas present for any young child. Everything is beautifully presented, and it's a true classic of literature. This is an edition that can be treasured for years - the pictures will draw them in, but over the years, TS Eliot's magical poems will seep into their consciousness, delighting and amusing them. Highly recommended.

My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.

If Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats sparks an interest in poetry for the young 'uns, they'll love New and Collected Poems for Children by Carol Ann Duffy. Younger children will love Dave by Sue Hendra - he might not have quite as an exciting name as Eliot's cats, but he's still a real character. The subject matter is very different, but there's a strong cat theme in The Last Free Cat by Jon Blake, and it's a fantastic book to boot.

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