Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (1939)

This is a book I've wanted to read since I was a kid. Cats was my favourite musical. I'd check the cast recording CD out from the library all the time. I knew it was based on this book, but I could never quite find a copy.

I found one in my local library system. It's interesting seeing where the changes were made. In some cases, I like the original poems better. They have much more character to them.

This was a fun read. ( )

Sometimes it's nice to just read a bunch of poems about cats. ( )

I have listened to the Lloyd Webber musical so many times in my childhood that these poems are in many places very familiar but it was nice to go back to the original poems. ( )

T.S. Eliot's saucy verse demands to be read aloud (or sung maybe *wink*). Illustrator Edward Gorey's pen-and-ink drawings are a purrfect fit.

I found this little hardcover gem complete with dust jacket at Goodwill.

Around the year in 52 books challenge notes:
#9. A book that can be read in a day ( )

My daughter loves the musical so much I purchased the DVD when she was three years old. She often requested that I read from the book at bedtime.

As she grows up, the book holds special memories as does the musical.

Combining the musical and the book is a great way to give children an appreciation of poetry and theater. ( )