Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats facts for kids
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is a famous collection of poems about cats. These aren't just any cats; they act and think a lot like humans! The book was written by a well-known poet named T. S. Eliot. It was first published in 1939. Later, many of these poems were used to create the very popular musical Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Contents
About Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
This special book is full of funny and imaginative poems. Each poem tells a story about a different cat with its own unique personality. T. S. Eliot created these characters to entertain his godchildren and friends. He used the nickname "Old Possum" for himself, which was given to him by his friend, the poet Ezra Pound.
The Author: T. S. Eliot
T. S. Eliot was an important poet, essayist, and publisher. He was born in the United States but later moved to England and became a British citizen. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948 for his amazing contributions to poetry. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is one of his lighter, more playful works.
The Wonderful Cat Characters
The poems introduce many memorable cat characters. Each one has a distinct personality and often a funny story. Here are some of the cats you'll meet in the book:
- The Naming of Cats: This poem explains how cats have three different names.
- The Old Gumbie Cat: Meet Jennyanydots, a lazy cat by day who works hard at night.
- Growltiger’s Last Stand: A fierce pirate cat faces his final adventure.
- The Rum Tum Tugger: A very fussy and difficult cat who loves to be different.
- Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer: Two mischievous and sneaky cat burglars.
- Old Deuteronomy: A wise and respected old cat who has lived many lives.
- The Pekes and the Pollicles: This poem describes a funny battle between dogs and cats.
- Mr. Mistoffelees: A small, shy cat who is a master of magic tricks.
- Macavity: The Mystery Cat: A sneaky criminal cat who is always one step ahead.
- Gus: The Theatre Cat: An old, retired actor cat who loves to talk about his past roles.
- Bustopher Jones: The Cat about Town: A fancy, well-dressed cat who loves good food.
- Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat: A hardworking cat who keeps everything running smoothly on the night train.
- The Ad-dressing of Cats: This poem gives advice on how to properly talk to a cat.
- Cat Morgan Introduces Himself: This poem was added in a later edition of the book (1962) and is not part of the musical.
From Book to Stage: The Musical Cats
In 1981, the famous composer Andrew Lloyd Webber turned these poems into a hugely successful musical called Cats. The musical brings the poems to life with songs, dances, and amazing costumes. It tells the story of a group of cats called the Jellicle Cats, who gather for their annual Jellicle Ball. At this event, one special cat is chosen to go to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a new life. The musical became one of the longest-running shows in Broadway and West End history.
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