Clever cats, bewitched cats, enterprising cats, lovelorn cats: The King of the Cats presents thirty-six cat fairy tales from around the world that celebrate feline intelligence, intuition, and ingenuity.

Beginning with a thirteenth-century fairy tale, the colorful fiction and fables in The King of the Cats range across six hundred years and fifteen countries. Authors including Charles Perrault, the Brothers Grimm, Washington Irving, and Rudyard Kipling are represented with stories alongside cat tales from the folk traditions of Europe, India, Japan, Persia, North Africa, North America, and Scandinavia.

Here are stories of Puss in Boots, Dick Whittington's cat, and other famous felines, including the King of the Cats himself. With them are tales of cats who live in palaces of their own; cats who outwit ogres, witches, and magicians; cats who are really princesses in disguise; cats who talk themselves out of trouble; and cats who, over and over again, use their wisdom, cunning, guile, and charm to save the day for their human companions.

• A selection of the Book of the Month Club and the Quality Paperback Book Club.


• The Quality Paperback Book Club says, "John Richard Stephens has unearthed a host of unusual tales, such as a 'Puss in Boots' from 16th-century Italy, several variations of the famous Dick Whittington story (including one from 1256)...Stephens includes an extensive section of forgotten cat stories as well...Enchanting and unique.


• The Book of the Month Club says, 'From as early as the 13th century come these wonderfully memorable tales of clever cats, bewitched cats, and lovelorn cats...The King of the Cats will be treasured by anyone who loves the true king of the beasts.'