''The Sly Old Cat'' is a children's book written and illustrated by

Beatrix Potter Helen Beatrix Heelis (; 28 July 186622 December 1943), usually known as Beatrix Potter ( ), was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist. She is best known for her children's books featuring animals, such as '' ...

in 1906, and first published by Frederick Warne & Co. in 1971, almost thirty years after Potter's death. The story tells of a cat who invites a rat to a tea party with the intention of eating him, but the rat outwits her and leaves the party with a muffin in a paper bag.

Critical commentary

''The Sly Old Cat'' is told mainly in monosyllables, and is critically considered "perfect in its fusion of word and picture, and visually reminiscent of

Randolph Caldecott Randolph Caldecott ( ; 22 March 1846 – 12 February 1886) was a British artist and illustrator, born in Chester. The Caldecott Medal was named in his honour. He exercised his art chiefly in book illustrations. His abilities as an artist were pr ...

in its rhythmic narrative flow."

References

;Footnotes ;Works cited * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sly Old Cat, The 1906 children's books Books by Beatrix Potter Children's books about cats Frederick Warne & Co books Picture books by Beatrix Potter Books published posthumously British children's books Children's books about mice and rats Works about parties