Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is a collection of whimsical, light-hearted poems written by the modernist poet T. S. Eliot. The poems are dedicated entirely to exploring the secret lives, eccentric personalities, and often bizarre names of various felines. The collection includes famous characters such as Rum Tum Tugger, Jennyanydots, and Macavity the Mystery Cat. Eliot originally wrote the poems for his godchildren, using a pseudonym. The collection is known for its clever wordplay, sophisticated meter, and affectionate, yet highly observant, descriptions of cat behavior, and it later served as the inspiration for the global phenomenon musical, Cats.
