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Bella’s Surprising Pick of the Week: Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats

Bella’s Surprising Pick of the Week: Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats

I always intended to introduce Bella to my favorite poet. I just didn’t expect to be doing it quite so early. But the other day at lunch she said, “Growl, I’m a tiger.” And there I was: Growltiger! I thought:

Growltiger was a bravo cat, who travelled on a barge:
In fact, he was the roughest cat that ever roamed at large.
From Gravesend up to Oxford he pursued his evil aims,
Rejoicing in his title of ‘The Terror of the Thames’.

And I had to go get the book and read “Growltiger’s Last Stand” to her. And she loved it, demanding more: “Read the book, read the book!” So I did: Macavity and Jennyanydots and Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer…. And in the last few days she keeps finding it and bringing it to me. And I naturally don’t object.

I think Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats is the perfect introduction to Eliot for young readers. Very fun nonsense verse that on second look is perhaps not quite so nonsensical as it seems. And the illustrations by Edward Gorey are a treat as well.

(But please, please don’t get me started about Andrew Lloyd Webber. I’m not a fan and let’s leave it at that.)

So there you have it. Get them hooked while they’re young. I’m not saying that your two year old will love it; but mine sure does.

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