Macavity: The Mystery Cat

by T.S. Eliot

Macavity' (the mystery cat!) is one of the best-loved poems from T. S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats - the inspiration for Cats: The Musical - beloved by generations of children and their parents.

Now, Macavity is given a new life in this stunning picture book with illustrations from Arthur Robins that perfectly convey all the wit and humor of Eliot's creation. Perfect for ages 3+, children (and parents) will love reading aloud about T.S. Eliot's best-loved cat.

To sit alongside other classics such as The Gruffalo , The Tiger Who Came to Tea , and Spot.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Animals, Childrens, Classics

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2014

About the author

Thomas Stearns Eliot was a poet, dramatist and literary critic. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948 "for his outstanding, pioneer contribution to present-day poetry." He wrote the poems The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, The Hollow Men, Ash Wednesday, and Four Quartets; the plays Murder in the Cathedral and The Cocktail Party; and the essay Tradition and the Individual Talent. Eliot was born an American, moved to the United Kingdom in 1914 (at the age of 25), and became a British subject in 1927 at the age of 39.

See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.S._Eliot

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

More poetry reading with Mr 4. This is a clear favourite out of the T.S. Elliot Cat poems. Mr 4 loves to shout 'Macavity's Not There!' very loudly.

[Nola Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Macavity the Mystery Cat is based on the T.S. Eliot poem immortalised in Cats. The message probably isn't ideal in that the book ends with Macavity still at large and not reprimanded for all of his thieving ways. Some of the terminology is also quite British, so might not be easily understandable to children from other countries (e.g. Scotland Yard). However, the illustrations are engaging, as a police sniffer dog with a magnifying glass tries to suss out the clues and find the thief. He's always just a bit too late on the scene though and it's fun to look for signs of Macavity (e.g. a tail popping up somewhere in the picture). A well-presented book that's fun to look at, but I probably can't wholeheartedly endorse it because of the message.

[Leander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost everyone has read this in their childhood.

"A fiend in a feline shape, a monster of depravity" out of context, it might seem like talking about something serious, like a big cat, but nah, it's just plain old macavity.

And hey, look over there, there's Macavity!
Daym you missed him. Where did my wallet go though?
:P

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Spanish translation of the T.S. Eliot poem with cute illustrations. I actually found myself singing the song from the musical in my head in Spanish while I was reading this, so I guess the Spanish hasn't worn off completely yet after all.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity. If you're familiar with these lyrics chances are you'd enjoy this picture book, part of a series of books using illustrations to highlight the famous (or infamous depending on your taste) "Cats" score.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cats is my favorite musical (shocker, right 😉) so when I saw these at my library, I had to read them... and if course I totally sung the song as I read it.

Wasn't a huge fan of this sloppy looking for of artwork but it's cool these picture books exist

[Jennifer B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun!

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute. I love this criminal cat.

[Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is so adorable

[Eduard Karpoev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macavity wasn't there!!

[Michelle Moloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fabulous cat is a fictional character who is described in a poem in Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, by T. S. Eliot. I knew this picture book was special; the size, colours, scope, and even the font add to the beauty of this picture book.

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is given new verve in this spectacular picture book.

Arthur Robbins illustrations perfectly convey all the charm, fun and wit and of Eliot's creation. Macavity will be read by adults to children and it will be enjoyed by both, through all the multiple readings.

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I know it by heart does it still count as reading? Nevertheless this is a fabulous version of this poem; the illustrations are most excellent. I bought this as a baby gift and shall be sad to give it away.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely new print of Macavity, beautifully illustrated by Arthur Robins.

Eliot's vocabulary is amazing so would make a great 1 on 1 read aloud. It worked ok at storytimes, but was lovely to introduce Eliot to a new generation.

[JkW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the illustrations by Arthur Robins

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite illustrations for this wonderful old poem.

[Rosie · Rating 2 out of 5]

just not the same without the music innit

[Tobinsfavorite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly, I liked this more than my daughter did. Philistine.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. 18m old loves this one!

[Kassi Moorehead]

In this book you will find poems about a cat who is similar to Sherlock Holmes. He is too smart to leave behind any evidence that could link him to the crime. This book is better for older children.