The Sly Old Cat facts for kids
![]() First edition
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Author | Beatrix Potter |
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Illustrator | Beatrix Potter |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Genre | Children's literature |
Publisher | Frederick Warne & Co |
Publication date
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1971 |
Media type | Print (hardcover) |
ISBN | 0-7232-1420-4 |
Preceded by | The Tale of the Faithful Dove |
The Sly Old Cat is a charming children's book. It was both written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. She is famous for many beloved animal stories. This book was first written in 1906. However, it was not published until 1971. That was almost 30 years after Beatrix Potter passed away. The story is about a clever cat. She invites a rat to a tea party. The cat secretly plans to eat the rat! But the smart rat outwits her. He even leaves the party with a tasty muffin.
Contents
About the Story
The Sly Old Cat tells a simple but fun tale. It features two main characters. One is a tricky cat. The other is a very smart rat. The cat invites the rat for tea. She pretends to be friendly. But her real plan is to catch him.
The Cat's Tricky Tea Party
The story begins with the cat. She sends an invitation to the rat. The rat is a bit suspicious. He knows cats can be dangerous. But he is also curious. He decides to go to the tea party. He brings a paper bag with him. This bag will be very useful later.
When the rat arrives, the cat is very polite. She offers him tea and muffins. The rat eats carefully. He watches the cat closely. He knows he needs to be careful. The cat tries to trick him. She wants him to get close.
The Rat's Clever Escape
The rat is too smart for the cat. He sees her sneaky moves. He quickly grabs a muffin. He puts it into his paper bag. Then he makes a quick exit. The cat is left all alone. Her plan did not work. The rat escaped safely. He even got a snack!
Who Was Beatrix Potter?
Beatrix Potter (1866–1943) was a famous English writer. She was also a talented illustrator. She is best known for her children's books. Her stories often feature animals. These animals act like people. They wear clothes and live in houses.
Her Life and Other Books
Beatrix Potter loved nature. She spent a lot of time drawing animals. She also studied plants and fungi. Her most famous book is The Tale of Peter Rabbit. This book was published in 1902. It became very popular. She wrote many other tales too. These include The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck. Her books are still loved today. Children all over the world read them.
Why Was The Sly Old Cat Published Later?
The Sly Old Cat was written in 1906. But it was not published until 1971. This happened because Beatrix Potter kept it. She did not publish every story she wrote. Sometimes, she wrote stories for fun. Or she wrote them for friends.
Finding Lost Stories
After Beatrix Potter passed away, her publisher found this story. It was among her papers. The story was complete. It had both text and pictures. The publisher decided to share it. This allowed new generations to enjoy it. It is exciting when old stories are found. They give us new insights into an author's work.