NAMING OF CATS

'A cat needs a name that's peculiar and more dignified, else how can he keep his tail perpendicular, or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?' Thomas Stearns Eliot was born in Missouri in 1888 and came to England in 1914 and published his first book of poems in 1917. 'The Naming of Cats' features in Eliot's much celebrated collection of poems Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (code 91666), which was written for his godchildren. The cats including Macavity, Mistoffelees and Skimbleshanks inspired one of the most successful musicals of all time. 'First of all, there's the name that the family use daily, such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James, such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey. There are fancier names... such as Plato, Admetus, Elektra, Demeter. The naming of cats is a difficult matter, it's just one of your holiday games.' A fabulous introduction for children, illustrated in colour by Arthur Robins. Small square Faber publication.