Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Just So Stories, 17 Oct 2007
I am a nine year old boy and my teacher got our class to read Just So Stories.
I think it was okay and can be hard to understand. The illustrations were different to other stories. It was funny at some parts and I enjoyed it.
But at some parts there was some dificult to understand the language.
I recommend this book to people who were around at the time it was written.

Highly Recommend, 06 Aug 2005
I bought this for my nearly 6 year old son. He has really enjoyed listening to the stories. He can listen to several or just a couple of stories depending on his mood.

Just So Stories [AUDIOBOOK], 20 Jun 2005
3 CD pack, plenty of stories, nice inlay.

Just So Stories - Gramercy edition, 02 Mar 2004
This is the best one to get - it's a facsimile of the first edition, in hardback, and with all the original Kipling illustrations. Accept no substitutes.

Disappointing, 10 Feb 2002
I found Tony Robinson's reading of these stories very disappointing.Some of the language used is not everyday speech, and this rendering is much too fast. It is necessary to have time for the words to be absorbed and appreciated and Tony does not allow for this. An old version by David Davies (apparently no longer available ) was much more rich and satisfying.
I have now ordered the Johnny Morris version in the hope that this will fulfill our expectations.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Just So Stories, 17 Oct 2007
I am a nine year old boy and my teacher got our class to read Just So Stories.
I think it was okay and can be hard to understand. The illustrations were different to other stories. It was funny at some parts and I enjoyed it.
But at some parts there was some dificult to understand the language.
I recommend this book to people who were around at the time it was written.

Highly Recommend, 06 Aug 2005
I bought this for my nearly 6 year old son. He has really enjoyed listening to the stories. He can listen to several or just a couple of stories depending on his mood.

Just So Stories [AUDIOBOOK], 20 Jun 2005
3 CD pack, plenty of stories, nice inlay.

Just So Stories - Gramercy edition, 02 Mar 2004
This is the best one to get - it's a facsimile of the first edition, in hardback, and with all the original Kipling illustrations. Accept no substitutes.

Disappointing, 10 Feb 2002
I found Tony Robinson's reading of these stories very disappointing.Some of the language used is not everyday speech, and this rendering is much too fast. It is necessary to have time for the words to be absorbed and appreciated and Tony does not allow for this. An old version by David Davies (apparently no longer available ) was much more rich and satisfying.
I have now ordered the Johnny Morris version in the hope that this will fulfill our expectations.

a beauty, 22 Aug 2008
This book describes life down the Grand Trunk Road and beyond perfectly. It is a wonderful story set during the peak of the Raj. Masterfully written by someone who loved the soil of India. The story is sublime, the characters masterful and it all takes place with the background of the Indian plains and mountains: the greatest show on earth.

In Search of Kim ..., 13 Feb 2008
As the great-grandson of an Irish Colour Sergeant who married a local girl in Kashmir in the second half of the 19th century, a grandson of a REME Sergeant who was stationed in Quetta (amongst many other such places over two decades) and fought on the NW Frontier, and son of a mother born in an Army garrison and who spent her first fifteen years in the exotic places portrayed in Kipling's "Kim", I was raised on a diet of spine-tingling family tales of the Raj.
When I finally read "Kim" at the age of ten, I often imagined he was a close relation - in the way, I am sure, that many other boys born into such army families might have imagined.
Without doubt Kipling captured an India of the late 19th century. The imagery of his story has never left me. This is a tale told in a dusty bazaar by a lyrical storyteller, one which holds the listener spellbound to the very end. Kipling did in this novel what new (and not so new) scribes should perhaps aspire to. He told a story. Simply and well. These are, and always will be, the finest and most loved tales.

Hardly a classic, 04 Feb 2008
This was my first foray into Kipling, being his alleged masterpiece. All I can say is, if this is the best he can manage, I don't think I'll bother with his other works.

The problem is, I found this novel dull. Dull, dull, dull. The plot felt entirely disjointed, I mean it runs thus: Kimball meets Lama, the pair seek 'The River' while Kim delivers coded message about 'Stallion's pedigre, Kim finds father's regiment and is essentially abducted, Kim sent to St Xaviers by the Colonel, Kim receives further instructions by Babu and Lurgan, Kim is finally release to play his part in the 'Great Game', culminating in the incident with the Russian/French Sahibs in the Himalayas. Along the way of course, our protagonist finds himself in all manner of scrapes, and we marvel at his street wise attitudes.

Sometimes I read Penguin classics, and wonder how they ever deserved such a title. It seems that, when published, this novel was popular, but then people had a vaster knowledge of the British Raj. In the introduction we are told that this portrays the many castes etc in India, but of what interest is this to you or I?

Personally, I do not know the difference between a Muhummadan and a Bengali, or a Pathan. Therefore when Kipling is making witty comments about these castes, I found my concentration drifting and my eyes growing heavy. The main characters were well developed, you would expect so, and I actually liked the Lama and his devotion to his 'chela', but marvelled at his naiivety.

Another black mark, is that I don't like these new Penguin editions. The green, flimsy bound novels look and feel cheap. I know we are only paying £2, and we must think of the environment, but couldn't an effort have been made to make these more attractive? Perhaps I'm just shallow.

A fascinating adventure, 22 Oct 2007
I was very surprised when I read "Kim". I was expecting a rather cliched gung-ho story of derring-do, probably with a few out-dated colonialist views thrown in. I really did not expect the fascinating adventure story and panorama of late 19th century India that I was treated to. Although set in time, the themes and characters are timeless. The most extraordinary thing for me - when many of us in the West are just "discovering" Buddhism - were the superbly well-constructed and contrasting characters of Kim, for whom the world outside is his lifeblood and the lama, driven by the spirit within.

The Great Game, 23 Sep 2007
In this book Rudyard Kipling gave us a better understanding of nineteenth century India, as well as the first modern spy story. Kim, a young European lad becomes embroiled in the 'Great Game', where Britain and Russia were carrying out espionage against each other in India. With the luscious backdrop of India we are immersed in the lives of Kim and his allies and foes leading very beleivable lives as they carry out their missions. Forget James Bond, this isn't escapism, but real life. I have read this story many times and it has never bored me yet, there is just so much in it. Also it has helped me in reading history and in the activities of the 'Great Game'. Reading this book is a real treasure and something that you will want to come back to time and again.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Just So Stories, 17 Oct 2007
I am a nine year old boy and my teacher got our class to read Just So Stories.
I think it was okay and can be hard to understand. The illustrations were different to other stories. It was funny at some parts and I enjoyed it.
But at some parts there was some dificult to understand the language.
I recommend this book to people who were around at the time it was written.

Highly Recommend, 06 Aug 2005
I bought this for my nearly 6 year old son. He has really enjoyed listening to the stories. He can listen to several or just a couple of stories depending on his mood.

Just So Stories [AUDIOBOOK], 20 Jun 2005
3 CD pack, plenty of stories, nice inlay.

Just So Stories - Gramercy edition, 02 Mar 2004
This is the best one to get - it's a facsimile of the first edition, in hardback, and with all the original Kipling illustrations. Accept no substitutes.

Disappointing, 10 Feb 2002
I found Tony Robinson's reading of these stories very disappointing.Some of the language used is not everyday speech, and this rendering is much too fast. It is necessary to have time for the words to be absorbed and appreciated and Tony does not allow for this. An old version by David Davies (apparently no longer available ) was much more rich and satisfying.
I have now ordered the Johnny Morris version in the hope that this will fulfill our expectations.

a beauty, 22 Aug 2008
This book describes life down the Grand Trunk Road and beyond perfectly. It is a wonderful story set during the peak of the Raj. Masterfully written by someone who loved the soil of India. The story is sublime, the characters masterful and it all takes place with the background of the Indian plains and mountains: the greatest show on earth.

In Search of Kim ..., 13 Feb 2008
As the great-grandson of an Irish Colour Sergeant who married a local girl in Kashmir in the second half of the 19th century, a grandson of a REME Sergeant who was stationed in Quetta (amongst many other such places over two decades) and fought on the NW Frontier, and son of a mother born in an Army garrison and who spent her first fifteen years in the exotic places portrayed in Kipling's "Kim", I was raised on a diet of spine-tingling family tales of the Raj.
When I finally read "Kim" at the age of ten, I often imagined he was a close relation - in the way, I am sure, that many other boys born into such army families might have imagined.
Without doubt Kipling captured an India of the late 19th century. The imagery of his story has never left me. This is a tale told in a dusty bazaar by a lyrical storyteller, one which holds the listener spellbound to the very end. Kipling did in this novel what new (and not so new) scribes should perhaps aspire to. He told a story. Simply and well. These are, and always will be, the finest and most loved tales.

Hardly a classic, 04 Feb 2008
This was my first foray into Kipling, being his alleged masterpiece. All I can say is, if this is the best he can manage, I don't think I'll bother with his other works.

The problem is, I found this novel dull. Dull, dull, dull. The plot felt entirely disjointed, I mean it runs thus: Kimball meets Lama, the pair seek 'The River' while Kim delivers coded message about 'Stallion's pedigre, Kim finds father's regiment and is essentially abducted, Kim sent to St Xaviers by the Colonel, Kim receives further instructions by Babu and Lurgan, Kim is finally release to play his part in the 'Great Game', culminating in the incident with the Russian/French Sahibs in the Himalayas. Along the way of course, our protagonist finds himself in all manner of scrapes, and we marvel at his street wise attitudes.

Sometimes I read Penguin classics, and wonder how they ever deserved such a title. It seems that, when published, this novel was popular, but then people had a vaster knowledge of the British Raj. In the introduction we are told that this portrays the many castes etc in India, but of what interest is this to you or I?

Personally, I do not know the difference between a Muhummadan and a Bengali, or a Pathan. Therefore when Kipling is making witty comments about these castes, I found my concentration drifting and my eyes growing heavy. The main characters were well developed, you would expect so, and I actually liked the Lama and his devotion to his 'chela', but marvelled at his naiivety.

Another black mark, is that I don't like these new Penguin editions. The green, flimsy bound novels look and feel cheap. I know we are only paying £2, and we must think of the environment, but couldn't an effort have been made to make these more attractive? Perhaps I'm just shallow.

A fascinating adventure, 22 Oct 2007
I was very surprised when I read "Kim". I was expecting a rather cliched gung-ho story of derring-do, probably with a few out-dated colonialist views thrown in. I really did not expect the fascinating adventure story and panorama of late 19th century India that I was treated to. Although set in time, the themes and characters are timeless. The most extraordinary thing for me - when many of us in the West are just "discovering" Buddhism - were the superbly well-constructed and contrasting characters of Kim, for whom the world outside is his lifeblood and the lama, driven by the spirit within.

The Great Game, 23 Sep 2007
In this book Rudyard Kipling gave us a better understanding of nineteenth century India, as well as the first modern spy story. Kim, a young European lad becomes embroiled in the 'Great Game', where Britain and Russia were carrying out espionage against each other in India. With the luscious backdrop of India we are immersed in the lives of Kim and his allies and foes leading very beleivable lives as they carry out their missions. Forget James Bond, this isn't escapism, but real life. I have read this story many times and it has never bored me yet, there is just so much in it. Also it has helped me in reading history and in the activities of the 'Great Game'. Reading this book is a real treasure and something that you will want to come back to time and again.

Man's red flower!, 07 Dec 2007
"Man goes to man, in the end." Poignant, endearing, at times brutal, The Jungle Book pressed all my buttons.

As a young child who loved and adored all the Disney animated classics, particularly The Jungle Book, once I found out it had actually originated from a book, it was a must read, especially from such an esteemed writer. The book however is much more in depth and fulfilling than the animated cartoon. It charts Mowgli through his adventures in the jungle and his rise to friend and master of all in his domain. Along the way Kipling breaks off for exciting forays into other animal kingdoms and environments other than just the jungle, giving a real mixed bag of wonderful images resonating in the mind, from seal and Innuit, to a mongoose and elephant, there is plenty of variety that kept me entertained.
What particularly impressed me, was the way Kipling managed to muscle a meaningful short story into individual chapters, without leaving me with a sense I hadn't gotten to know the characters.

I really loved this book, and would definitely recommenend it.

Undeservedly unfashionable - a true, timeless classic, 09 Feb 2006
Kipling has long since ceased to be a fashionable writer. Accused of being racist (for his time, class and background he was in fact highly liberal in his views) and jingoistic (he lived the days when loyalty to Queen and Country was still called patriotism), he has fallen out of favour with the literati. Despite decades of continual snubbing, his books live on and his poem, IF was recently voted by the British public as their favourite, unashamedly sentimental it may seem now but it still stands as some of the best advice a father could give to his son, which was how and why it came to be.

His books also have that ultimate mark of any classic, the ability to be enjoyed as much by grown-ups as by children. The jungle book is most probably familiar to the world now through the Disney cartoon, which bears all the relationship to the original book as Muppet Treasure Island does to Robert Louis Stevenson. The real book is much darker, much more dangerous, much more exciting and much, much more enjoyable. Kipling takes anthropomorphism to its artistic ultimate and, within the cadre of jungle animals reflects human characteristics both good and bad: the sagacity of Baloo, the wisdom of Bagheera, the nobility of Akela, the independence of Kaa, the rottenness of Shere Khan and the mindless brutality of the Dhole. Humans, by contrast, fare rather poorly being divorced from their surroundings and, unlike the jungle characters, are shallow and act with neither motivation beyond self-interest nor principle.

So impressed was Lord Baden Powell that he made this book the basis for the cub scouts (as he did with another of Kipling's masterpieces, Kim for the scouts themselves). The books may contain Victorian values, but these are the best of Victorian values and the ones that define a civilized society, even if they, like Kipling, have become unfashionable. Above all though, the Jungle Book is a ripping yarn, a page-turner, a plot-boiler and, uniquely amongst Kipling's prolific output, a spawner of sequels; something that Walt Disney obviously recognised. The only words of warning or discouragement that I would utter is that the book, as with all the Mowgli stories, can be quite sinister and not suitable for the same age range as the cartoon and, speaking of the cartoon, be prepared to despise its fluffy, trite Americanised bowdlerisms forever once you have read the original; so, if you adore Disney and want to go on loving it, perhaps you should stay away from the literature from which it stole its ideas.

One of the greatest children's books ever - read it!, 25 Jan 2002
...The Jungle Book [is] one of the most thrilling and vivid fantasies ever written. Forget about the [...] Disney version, in which Kaa is the baddie, this stuff makes your hair stand on end, it's so alive to what it must feel like to be an animal. Mowgli's arrival at the wolves' cave, pursued by the evil tiger Shere Khan, his upbringing by the wolves, his adventures in the jungle and attempt to go back to living among men is full of savagery and beauty and excitement. Interleaved among the Mowgli stories are other great animal tales - about Rikki Tikki Tavi the mongoose who takes on two deadly cobras living in an Indian garden, and fights them to the death; and about a white seal who finds the one place where seals can be safe.
You do need a bit of patience in the beginning with Kipling, but he's worth it.

Re-ignites the beauty of story telling, 19 Dec 2000
Having been of the target age when Disney's enterpritation of the stories of Mowgli game to the big screen I decided to track the source of the magical tale. This book doesn't just contain the stories that follow Mowgli's adventures in the jungle, and quite different to the Disney version they are, but many other exciting tales, everyone captivating for its entirety. Whether it is the moral issues that are raised throughout the stories, or simply the value of a great story that you are after, this book has truely stood the test of time with shining colours.

very confusing ,and boring and ,what are they on about?, 11 Aug 2000
I thought hmmmmmm this seems too confusing and what were the wolves talking about.Just this then that and Sher Khan and Mowgli.Like what kind of world is it.Well i knew it was a jungle world but it was a stupid one. i can understand hamlet better than the jungle book.In this I could only make out one or two pages.well maybe a bit more but not much.I only read it at school, and when i was in the middle of it i decided to read another book and when i was finished with the other book i said to myself well i might aswell finish it. and i was so glad that i had finally finished it.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Just So Stories, 17 Oct 2007
I am a nine year old boy and my teacher got our class to read Just So Stories.
I think it was okay and can be hard to understand. The illustrations were different to other stories. It was funny at some parts and I enjoyed it.
But at some parts there was some dificult to understand the language.
I recommend this book to people who were around at the time it was written.

Highly Recommend, 06 Aug 2005
I bought this for my nearly 6 year old son. He has really enjoyed listening to the stories. He can listen to several or just a couple of stories depending on his mood.

Just So Stories [AUDIOBOOK], 20 Jun 2005
3 CD pack, plenty of stories, nice inlay.

Just So Stories - Gramercy edition, 02 Mar 2004
This is the best one to get - it's a facsimile of the first edition, in hardback, and with all the original Kipling illustrations. Accept no substitutes.

Disappointing, 10 Feb 2002
I found Tony Robinson's reading of these stories very disappointing.Some of the language used is not everyday speech, and this rendering is much too fast. It is necessary to have time for the words to be absorbed and appreciated and Tony does not allow for this. An old version by David Davies (apparently no longer available ) was much more rich and satisfying.
I have now ordered the Johnny Morris version in the hope that this will fulfill our expectations.

a beauty, 22 Aug 2008
This book describes life down the Grand Trunk Road and beyond perfectly. It is a wonderful story set during the peak of the Raj. Masterfully written by someone who loved the soil of India. The story is sublime, the characters masterful and it all takes place with the background of the Indian plains and mountains: the greatest show on earth.

In Search of Kim ..., 13 Feb 2008
As the great-grandson of an Irish Colour Sergeant who married a local girl in Kashmir in the second half of the 19th century, a grandson of a REME Sergeant who was stationed in Quetta (amongst many other such places over two decades) and fought on the NW Frontier, and son of a mother born in an Army garrison and who spent her first fifteen years in the exotic places portrayed in Kipling's "Kim", I was raised on a diet of spine-tingling family tales of the Raj.
When I finally read "Kim" at the age of ten, I often imagined he was a close relation - in the way, I am sure, that many other boys born into such army families might have imagined.
Without doubt Kipling captured an India of the late 19th century. The imagery of his story has never left me. This is a tale told in a dusty bazaar by a lyrical storyteller, one which holds the listener spellbound to the very end. Kipling did in this novel what new (and not so new) scribes should perhaps aspire to. He told a story. Simply and well. These are, and always will be, the finest and most loved tales.

Hardly a classic, 04 Feb 2008
This was my first foray into Kipling, being his alleged masterpiece. All I can say is, if this is the best he can manage, I don't think I'll bother with his other works.

The problem is, I found this novel dull. Dull, dull, dull. The plot felt entirely disjointed, I mean it runs thus: Kimball meets Lama, the pair seek 'The River' while Kim delivers coded message about 'Stallion's pedigre, Kim finds father's regiment and is essentially abducted, Kim sent to St Xaviers by the Colonel, Kim receives further instructions by Babu and Lurgan, Kim is finally release to play his part in the 'Great Game', culminating in the incident with the Russian/French Sahibs in the Himalayas. Along the way of course, our protagonist finds himself in all manner of scrapes, and we marvel at his street wise attitudes.

Sometimes I read Penguin classics, and wonder how they ever deserved such a title. It seems that, when published, this novel was popular, but then people had a vaster knowledge of the British Raj. In the introduction we are told that this portrays the many castes etc in India, but of what interest is this to you or I?

Personally, I do not know the difference between a Muhummadan and a Bengali, or a Pathan. Therefore when Kipling is making witty comments about these castes, I found my concentration drifting and my eyes growing heavy. The main characters were well developed, you would expect so, and I actually liked the Lama and his devotion to his 'chela', but marvelled at his naiivety.

Another black mark, is that I don't like these new Penguin editions. The green, flimsy bound novels look and feel cheap. I know we are only paying £2, and we must think of the environment, but couldn't an effort have been made to make these more attractive? Perhaps I'm just shallow.

A fascinating adventure, 22 Oct 2007
I was very surprised when I read "Kim". I was expecting a rather cliched gung-ho story of derring-do, probably with a few out-dated colonialist views thrown in. I really did not expect the fascinating adventure story and panorama of late 19th century India that I was treated to. Although set in time, the themes and characters are timeless. The most extraordinary thing for me - when many of us in the West are just "discovering" Buddhism - were the superbly well-constructed and contrasting characters of Kim, for whom the world outside is his lifeblood and the lama, driven by the spirit within.

The Great Game, 23 Sep 2007
In this book Rudyard Kipling gave us a better understanding of nineteenth century India, as well as the first modern spy story. Kim, a young European lad becomes embroiled in the 'Great Game', where Britain and Russia were carrying out espionage against each other in India. With the luscious backdrop of India we are immersed in the lives of Kim and his allies and foes leading very beleivable lives as they carry out their missions. Forget James Bond, this isn't escapism, but real life. I have read this story many times and it has never bored me yet, there is just so much in it. Also it has helped me in reading history and in the activities of the 'Great Game'. Reading this book is a real treasure and something that you will want to come back to time and again.

Man's red flower!, 07 Dec 2007
"Man goes to man, in the end." Poignant, endearing, at times brutal, The Jungle Book pressed all my buttons.

As a young child who loved and adored all the Disney animated classics, particularly The Jungle Book, once I found out it had actually originated from a book, it was a must read, especially from such an esteemed writer. The book however is much more in depth and fulfilling than the animated cartoon. It charts Mowgli through his adventures in the jungle and his rise to friend and master of all in his domain. Along the way Kipling breaks off for exciting forays into other animal kingdoms and environments other than just the jungle, giving a real mixed bag of wonderful images resonating in the mind, from seal and Innuit, to a mongoose and elephant, there is plenty of variety that kept me entertained.
What particularly impressed me, was the way Kipling managed to muscle a meaningful short story into individual chapters, without leaving me with a sense I hadn't gotten to know the characters.

I really loved this book, and would definitely recommenend it.

Undeservedly unfashionable - a true, timeless classic, 09 Feb 2006
Kipling has long since ceased to be a fashionable writer. Accused of being racist (for his time, class and background he was in fact highly liberal in his views) and jingoistic (he lived the days when loyalty to Queen and Country was still called patriotism), he has fallen out of favour with the literati. Despite decades of continual snubbing, his books live on and his poem, IF was recently voted by the British public as their favourite, unashamedly sentimental it may seem now but it still stands as some of the best advice a father could give to his son, which was how and why it came to be.

His books also have that ultimate mark of any classic, the ability to be enjoyed as much by grown-ups as by children. The jungle book is most probably familiar to the world now through the Disney cartoon, which bears all the relationship to the original book as Muppet Treasure Island does to Robert Louis Stevenson. The real book is much darker, much more dangerous, much more exciting and much, much more enjoyable. Kipling takes anthropomorphism to its artistic ultimate and, within the cadre of jungle animals reflects human characteristics both good and bad: the sagacity of Baloo, the wisdom of Bagheera, the nobility of Akela, the independence of Kaa, the rottenness of Shere Khan and the mindless brutality of the Dhole. Humans, by contrast, fare rather poorly being divorced from their surroundings and, unlike the jungle characters, are shallow and act with neither motivation beyond self-interest nor principle.

So impressed was Lord Baden Powell that he made this book the basis for the cub scouts (as he did with another of Kipling's masterpieces, Kim for the scouts themselves). The books may contain Victorian values, but these are the best of Victorian values and the ones that define a civilized society, even if they, like Kipling, have become unfashionable. Above all though, the Jungle Book is a ripping yarn, a page-turner, a plot-boiler and, uniquely amongst Kipling's prolific output, a spawner of sequels; something that Walt Disney obviously recognised. The only words of warning or discouragement that I would utter is that the book, as with all the Mowgli stories, can be quite sinister and not suitable for the same age range as the cartoon and, speaking of the cartoon, be prepared to despise its fluffy, trite Americanised bowdlerisms forever once you have read the original; so, if you adore Disney and want to go on loving it, perhaps you should stay away from the literature from which it stole its ideas.

One of the greatest children's books ever - read it!, 25 Jan 2002
...The Jungle Book [is] one of the most thrilling and vivid fantasies ever written. Forget about the [...] Disney version, in which Kaa is the baddie, this stuff makes your hair stand on end, it's so alive to what it must feel like to be an animal. Mowgli's arrival at the wolves' cave, pursued by the evil tiger Shere Khan, his upbringing by the wolves, his adventures in the jungle and attempt to go back to living among men is full of savagery and beauty and excitement. Interleaved among the Mowgli stories are other great animal tales - about Rikki Tikki Tavi the mongoose who takes on two deadly cobras living in an Indian garden, and fights them to the death; and about a white seal who finds the one place where seals can be safe.
You do need a bit of patience in the beginning with Kipling, but he's worth it.

Re-ignites the beauty of story telling, 19 Dec 2000
Having been of the target age when Disney's enterpritation of the stories of Mowgli game to the big screen I decided to track the source of the magical tale. This book doesn't just contain the stories that follow Mowgli's adventures in the jungle, and quite different to the Disney version they are, but many other exciting tales, everyone captivating for its entirety. Whether it is the moral issues that are raised throughout the stories, or simply the value of a great story that you are after, this book has truely stood the test of time with shining colours.

very confusing ,and boring and ,what are they on about?, 11 Aug 2000
I thought hmmmmmm this seems too confusing and what were the wolves talking about.Just this then that and Sher Khan and Mowgli.Like what kind of world is it.Well i knew it was a jungle world but it was a stupid one. i can understand hamlet better than the jungle book.In this I could only make out one or two pages.well maybe a bit more but not much.I only read it at school, and when i was in the middle of it i decided to read another book and when i was finished with the other book i said to myself well i might aswell finish it. and i was so glad that i had finally finished it.

Minus the glories of the original, 03 Jan 2008
This is a beautiful book, and the illustrations are fantastic; but as a lover of the original (I still have the copy my Dad received from his Uncle in 1943), I can't help but think 'What a shame'. It has been adapted for a more modern audience - but, in my belief, they have taken away some of the glories of the original to the detriment of the book.

What a shame that it only contains 8 of the wonderful 12 stories. I know that the four they have extracted are the harder ones to read and understand - but they are part of the beauty of the book.

Also a shame that they have replaced Rudyard Kiplings fantastically detailed and beautifully described illustrations with the works of contemporary artists, however attractive those new illustrations may be. I loved reading Kiplings instructions telling me how to colour his black, line illustrations - although I only ever coloured them with my imagination.

Don't buy this if, like me, you have fond memories of the original - as you will be disappointed. However, if you are looking for a beautifully illustrated version of a selection of old yet 'best beloved' stories - enjoy it!

Minus the glories of the original. , 28 Jun 2007
This is a beautiful book, and the illustrations are fantastic; but as a lover of the original (I still have the copy my Dad received from his Uncle in 1943), I can't help but think 'What a shame'. It has been adapted for a more modern audience - but in my belief, they have taken away some of the glories of the original to the detriment of the book.

What a shame that it only contains 8 of the wonderful 12 stories. I know that the four they have extracted are the harder ones to read and understand - but they are part of the beauty of the book.

Also a shame that they have replaced Rudyard Kiplings fantastically detailed and beautifully described illustrations with the works of contemporary artists, however attractive those new illustrations may be. I loved reading Kiplings instructions telling me how to colour his black, line illustrations - although I only ever coloured them with my imagination!

Exquisite, 25 Aug 2005
This is quite simply a beautiful edition, illustrated as follows:
How the whale got his throat - Peter Sis
How the camel got his hump - Clare Melinsky
How the rinoceros got his skin - Christopher Corr
How the leopard got his spots - Cathie Felstead
The elephant's child - Loiuse Voce
The sing-song of old man kangaroo - Jeff Fisher
The beginning of the armadillos - Jane Ray
The cat who walked by himself - Satoshi Kitamura
It makes a great present because of the different styles; you can't go wrong as there is something for everyone to love.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Just So Stories, 17 Oct 2007
I am a nine year old boy and my teacher got our class to read Just So Stories.
I think it was okay and can be hard to understand. The illustrations were different to other stories. It was funny at some parts and I enjoyed it.
But at some parts there was some dificult to understand the language.
I recommend this book to people who were around at the time it was written.

Highly Recommend, 06 Aug 2005
I bought this for my nearly 6 year old son. He has really enjoyed listening to the stories. He can listen to several or just a couple of stories depending on his mood.

Just So Stories [AUDIOBOOK], 20 Jun 2005
3 CD pack, plenty of stories, nice inlay.

Just So Stories - Gramercy edition, 02 Mar 2004
This is the best one to get - it's a facsimile of the first edition, in hardback, and with all the original Kipling illustrations. Accept no substitutes.

Disappointing, 10 Feb 2002
I found Tony Robinson's reading of these stories very disappointing.Some of the language used is not everyday speech, and this rendering is much too fast. It is necessary to have time for the words to be absorbed and appreciated and Tony does not allow for this. An old version by David Davies (apparently no longer available ) was much more rich and satisfying.
I have now ordered the Johnny Morris version in the hope that this will fulfill our expectations.

a beauty, 22 Aug 2008
This book describes life down the Grand Trunk Road and beyond perfectly. It is a wonderful story set during the peak of the Raj. Masterfully written by someone who loved the soil of India. The story is sublime, the characters masterful and it all takes place with the background of the Indian plains and mountains: the greatest show on earth.

In Search of Kim ..., 13 Feb 2008
As the great-grandson of an Irish Colour Sergeant who married a local girl in Kashmir in the second half of the 19th century, a grandson of a REME Sergeant who was stationed in Quetta (amongst many other such places over two decades) and fought on the NW Frontier, and son of a mother born in an Army garrison and who spent her first fifteen years in the exotic places portrayed in Kipling's "Kim", I was raised on a diet of spine-tingling family tales of the Raj.
When I finally read "Kim" at the age of ten, I often imagined he was a close relation - in the way, I am sure, that many other boys born into such army families might have imagined.
Without doubt Kipling captured an India of the late 19th century. The imagery of his story has never left me. This is a tale told in a dusty bazaar by a lyrical storyteller, one which holds the listener spellbound to the very end. Kipling did in this novel what new (and not so new) scribes should perhaps aspire to. He told a story. Simply and well. These are, and always will be, the finest and most loved tales.

Hardly a classic, 04 Feb 2008
This was my first foray into Kipling, being his alleged masterpiece. All I can say is, if this is the best he can manage, I don't think I'll bother with his other works.

The problem is, I found this novel dull. Dull, dull, dull. The plot felt entirely disjointed, I mean it runs thus: Kimball meets Lama, the pair seek 'The River' while Kim delivers coded message about 'Stallion's pedigre, Kim finds father's regiment and is essentially abducted, Kim sent to St Xaviers by the Colonel, Kim receives further instructions by Babu and Lurgan, Kim is finally release to play his part in the 'Great Game', culminating in the incident with the Russian/French Sahibs in the Himalayas. Along the way of course, our protagonist finds himself in all manner of scrapes, and we marvel at his street wise attitudes.

Sometimes I read Penguin classics, and wonder how they ever deserved such a title. It seems that, when published, this novel was popular, but then people had a vaster knowledge of the British Raj. In the introduction we are told that this portrays the many castes etc in India, but of what interest is this to you or I?

Personally, I do not know the difference between a Muhummadan and a Bengali, or a Pathan. Therefore when Kipling is making witty comments about these castes, I found my concentration drifting and my eyes growing heavy. The main characters were well developed, you would expect so, and I actually liked the Lama and his devotion to his 'chela', but marvelled at his naiivety.

Another black mark, is that I don't like these new Penguin editions. The green, flimsy bound novels look and feel cheap. I know we are only paying £2, and we must think of the environment, but couldn't an effort have been made to make these more attractive? Perhaps I'm just shallow.

A fascinating adventure, 22 Oct 2007
I was very surprised when I read "Kim". I was expecting a rather cliched gung-ho story of derring-do, probably with a few out-dated colonialist views thrown in. I really did not expect the fascinating adventure story and panorama of late 19th century India that I was treated to. Although set in time, the themes and characters are timeless. The most extraordinary thing for me - when many of us in the West are just "discovering" Buddhism - were the superbly well-constructed and contrasting characters of Kim, for whom the world outside is his lifeblood and the lama, driven by the spirit within.

The Great Game, 23 Sep 2007
In this book Rudyard Kipling gave us a better understanding of nineteenth century India, as well as the first modern spy story. Kim, a young European lad becomes embroiled in the 'Great Game', where Britain and Russia were carrying out espionage against each other in India. With the luscious backdrop of India we are immersed in the lives of Kim and his allies and foes leading very beleivable lives as they carry out their missions. Forget James Bond, this isn't escapism, but real life. I have read this story many times and it has never bored me yet, there is just so much in it. Also it has helped me in reading history and in the activities of the 'Great Game'. Reading this book is a real treasure and something that you will want to come back to time and again.

Man's red flower!, 07 Dec 2007
"Man goes to man, in the end." Poignant, endearing, at times brutal, The Jungle Book pressed all my buttons.

As a young child who loved and adored all the Disney animated classics, particularly The Jungle Book, once I found out it had actually originated from a book, it was a must read, especially from such an esteemed writer. The book however is much more in depth and fulfilling than the animated cartoon. It charts Mowgli through his adventures in the jungle and his rise to friend and master of all in his domain. Along the way Kipling breaks off for exciting forays into other animal kingdoms and environments other than just the jungle, giving a real mixed bag of wonderful images resonating in the mind, from seal and Innuit, to a mongoose and elephant, there is plenty of variety that kept me entertained.
What particularly impressed me, was the way Kipling managed to muscle a meaningful short story into individual chapters, without leaving me with a sense I hadn't gotten to know the characters.

I really loved this book, and would definitely recommenend it.

Undeservedly unfashionable - a true, timeless classic, 09 Feb 2006
Kipling has long since ceased to be a fashionable writer. Accused of being racist (for his time, class and background he was in fact highly liberal in his views) and jingoistic (he lived the days when loyalty to Queen and Country was still called patriotism), he has fallen out of favour with the literati. Despite decades of continual snubbing, his books live on and his poem, IF was recently voted by the British public as their favourite, unashamedly sentimental it may seem now but it still stands as some of the best advice a father could give to his son, which was how and why it came to be.

His books also have that ultimate mark of any classic, the ability to be enjoyed as much by grown-ups as by children. The jungle book is most probably familiar to the world now through the Disney cartoon, which bears all the relationship to the original book as Muppet Treasure Island does to Robert Louis Stevenson. The real book is much darker, much more dangerous, much more exciting and much, much more enjoyable. Kipling takes anthropomorphism to its artistic ultimate and, within the cadre of jungle animals reflects human characteristics both good and bad: the sagacity of Baloo, the wisdom of Bagheera, the nobility of Akela, the independence of Kaa, the rottenness of Shere Khan and the mindless brutality of the Dhole. Humans, by contrast, fare rather poorly being divorced from their surroundings and, unlike the jungle characters, are shallow and act with neither motivation beyond self-interest nor principle.

So impressed was Lord Baden Powell that he made this book the basis for the cub scouts (as he did with another of Kipling's masterpieces, Kim for the scouts themselves). The books may contain Victorian values, but these are the best of Victorian values and the ones that define a civilized society, even if they, like Kipling, have become unfashionable. Above all though, the Jungle Book is a ripping yarn, a page-turner, a plot-boiler and, uniquely amongst Kipling's prolific output, a spawner of sequels; something that Walt Disney obviously recognised. The only words of warning or discouragement that I would utter is that the book, as with all the Mowgli stories, can be quite sinister and not suitable for the same age range as the cartoon and, speaking of the cartoon, be prepared to despise its fluffy, trite Americanised bowdlerisms forever once you have read the original; so, if you adore Disney and want to go on loving it, perhaps you should stay away from the literature from which it stole its ideas.

One of the greatest children's books ever - read it!, 25 Jan 2002
...The Jungle Book [is] one of the most thrilling and vivid fantasies ever written. Forget about the [...] Disney version, in which Kaa is the baddie, this stuff makes your hair stand on end, it's so alive to what it must feel like to be an animal. Mowgli's arrival at the wolves' cave, pursued by the evil tiger Shere Khan, his upbringing by the wolves, his adventures in the jungle and attempt to go back to living among men is full of savagery and beauty and excitement. Interleaved among the Mowgli stories are other great animal tales - about Rikki Tikki Tavi the mongoose who takes on two deadly cobras living in an Indian garden, and fights them to the death; and about a white seal who finds the one place where seals can be safe.
You do need a bit of patience in the beginning with Kipling, but he's worth it.

Re-ignites the beauty of story telling, 19 Dec 2000
Having been of the target age when Disney's enterpritation of the stories of Mowgli game to the big screen I decided to track the source of the magical tale. This book doesn't just contain the stories that follow Mowgli's adventures in the jungle, and quite different to the Disney version they are, but many other exciting tales, everyone captivating for its entirety. Whether it is the moral issues that are raised throughout the stories, or simply the value of a great story that you are after, this book has truely stood the test of time with shining colours.

very confusing ,and boring and ,what are they on about?, 11 Aug 2000
I thought hmmmmmm this seems too confusing and what were the wolves talking about.Just this then that and Sher Khan and Mowgli.Like what kind of world is it.Well i knew it was a jungle world but it was a stupid one. i can understand hamlet better than the jungle book.In this I could only make out one or two pages.well maybe a bit more but not much.I only read it at school, and when i was in the middle of it i decided to read another book and when i was finished with the other book i said to myself well i might aswell finish it. and i was so glad that i had finally finished it.

Minus the glories of the original, 03 Jan 2008
This is a beautiful book, and the illustrations are fantastic; but as a lover of the original (I still have the copy my Dad received from his Uncle in 1943), I can't help but think 'What a shame'. It has been adapted for a more modern audience - but, in my belief, they have taken away some of the glories of the original to the detriment of the book.

What a shame that it only contains 8 of the wonderful 12 stories. I know that the four they have extracted are the harder ones to read and understand - but they are part of the beauty of the book.

Also a shame that they have replaced Rudyard Kiplings fantastically detailed and beautifully described illustrations with the works of contemporary artists, however attractive those new illustrations may be. I loved reading Kiplings instructions telling me how to colour his black, line illustrations - although I only ever coloured them with my imagination.

Don't buy this if, like me, you have fond memories of the original - as you will be disappointed. However, if you are looking for a beautifully illustrated version of a selection of old yet 'best beloved' stories - enjoy it!

Minus the glories of the original. , 28 Jun 2007
This is a beautiful book, and the illustrations are fantastic; but as a lover of the original (I still have the copy my Dad received from his Uncle in 1943), I can't help but think 'What a shame'. It has been adapted for a more modern audience - but in my belief, they have taken away some of the glories of the original to the detriment of the book.

What a shame that it only contains 8 of the wonderful 12 stories. I know that the four they have extracted are the harder ones to read and understand - but they are part of the beauty of the book.

Also a shame that they have replaced Rudyard Kiplings fantastically detailed and beautifully described illustrations with the works of contemporary artists, however attractive those new illustrations may be. I loved reading Kiplings instructions telling me how to colour his black, line illustrations - although I only ever coloured them with my imagination!

Exquisite, 25 Aug 2005
This is quite simply a beautiful edition, illustrated as follows:
How the whale got his throat - Peter Sis
How the camel got his hump - Clare Melinsky
How the rinoceros got his skin - Christopher Corr
How the leopard got his spots - Cathie Felstead
The elephant's child - Loiuse Voce
The sing-song of old man kangaroo - Jeff Fisher
The beginning of the armadillos - Jane Ray
The cat who walked by himself - Satoshi Kitamura
It makes a great present because of the different styles; you can't go wrong as there is something for everyone to love.

Wonderful classic., 10 Apr 2006
The Everyman's Library Children's Classics are a wonderful collection of traditionally bound books with beautiful illustrations. 'Just So Stories' is of course a classic. Definately worth making a set of these books up.

A book that begs to be read aloud, 10 Mar 2001
Kipling's classic volume of stories concerns the great questions of history; How the Whale got his Throat, How the Camel got his Hump, How the Alphabet was Made and many other thorny dilemmas. The language is sophisticated yet often whimsical and children love to hear the words read aloud. It is tempting to scan ahead and change things, substitute more contemporary phrases for the old but, if you can, resist the urge. Kipling was a master of the language. His writing is balanced and fluid and while it may seem dated when taken piece by piece, its sum is far greater than its parts. Read The Cat that Walked by Himself and you will never look at your own pet in quite the same way again.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Just So Stories, 17 Oct 2007
I am a nine year old boy and my teacher got our class to read Just So Stories.
I think it was okay and can be hard to understand. The illustrations were different to other stories. It was funny at some parts and I enjoyed it.
But at some parts there was some dificult to understand the language.
I recommend this book to people who were around at the time it was written.

Highly Recommend, 06 Aug 2005
I bought this for my nearly 6 year old son. He has really enjoyed listening to the stories. He can listen to several or just a couple of stories depending on his mood.

Just So Stories [AUDIOBOOK], 20 Jun 2005
3 CD pack, plenty of stories, nice inlay.

Just So Stories - Gramercy edition, 02 Mar 2004
This is the best one to get - it's a facsimile of the first edition, in hardback, and with all the original Kipling illustrations. Accept no substitutes.

Disappointing, 10 Feb 2002
I found Tony Robinson's reading of these stories very disappointing.Some of the language used is not everyday speech, and this rendering is much too fast. It is necessary to have time for the words to be absorbed and appreciated and Tony does not allow for this. An old version by David Davies (apparently no longer available ) was much more rich and satisfying.
I have now ordered the Johnny Morris version in the hope that this will fulfill our expectations.

a beauty, 22 Aug 2008
This book describes life down the Grand Trunk Road and beyond perfectly. It is a wonderful story set during the peak of the Raj. Masterfully written by someone who loved the soil of India. The story is sublime, the characters masterful and it all takes place with the background of the Indian plains and mountains: the greatest show on earth.

In Search of Kim ..., 13 Feb 2008
As the great-grandson of an Irish Colour Sergeant who married a local girl in Kashmir in the second half of the 19th century, a grandson of a REME Sergeant who was stationed in Quetta (amongst many other such places over two decades) and fought on the NW Frontier, and son of a mother born in an Army garrison and who spent her first fifteen years in the exotic places portrayed in Kipling's "Kim", I was raised on a diet of spine-tingling family tales of the Raj.
When I finally read "Kim" at the age of ten, I often imagined he was a close relation - in the way, I am sure, that many other boys born into such army families might have imagined.
Without doubt Kipling captured an India of the late 19th century. The imagery of his story has never left me. This is a tale told in a dusty bazaar by a lyrical storyteller, one which holds the listener spellbound to the very end. Kipling did in this novel what new (and not so new) scribes should perhaps aspire to. He told a story. Simply and well. These are, and always will be, the finest and most loved tales.

Hardly a classic, 04 Feb 2008
This was my first foray into Kipling, being his alleged masterpiece. All I can say is, if this is the best he can manage, I don't think I'll bother with his other works.

The problem is, I found this novel dull. Dull, dull, dull. The plot felt entirely disjointed, I mean it runs thus: Kimball meets Lama, the pair seek 'The River' while Kim delivers coded message about 'Stallion's pedigre, Kim finds father's regiment and is essentially abducted, Kim sent to St Xaviers by the Colonel, Kim receives further instructions by Babu and Lurgan, Kim is finally release to play his part in the 'Great Game', culminating in the incident with the Russian/French Sahibs in the Himalayas. Along the way of course, our protagonist finds himself in all manner of scrapes, and we marvel at his street wise attitudes.

Sometimes I read Penguin classics, and wonder how they ever deserved such a title. It seems that, when published, this novel was popular, but then people had a vaster knowledge of the British Raj. In the introduction we are told that this portrays the many castes etc in India, but of what interest is this to you or I?

Personally, I do not know the difference between a Muhummadan and a Bengali, or a Pathan. Therefore when Kipling is making witty comments about these castes, I found my concentration drifting and my eyes growing heavy. The main characters were well developed, you would expect so, and I actually liked the Lama and his devotion to his 'chela', but marvelled at his naiivety.

Another black mark, is that I don't like these new Penguin editions. The green, flimsy bound novels look and feel cheap. I know we are only paying £2, and we must think of the environment, but couldn't an effort have been made to make these more attractive? Perhaps I'm just shallow.

A fascinating adventure, 22 Oct 2007
I was very surprised when I read "Kim". I was expecting a rather cliched gung-ho story of derring-do, probably with a few out-dated colonialist views thrown in. I really did not expect the fascinating adventure story and panorama of late 19th century India that I was treated to. Although set in time, the themes and characters are timeless. The most extraordinary thing for me - when many of us in the West are just "discovering" Buddhism - were the superbly well-constructed and contrasting characters of Kim, for whom the world outside is his lifeblood and the lama, driven by the spirit within.

The Great Game, 23 Sep 2007
In this book Rudyard Kipling gave us a better understanding of nineteenth century India, as well as the first modern spy story. Kim, a young European lad becomes embroiled in the 'Great Game', where Britain and Russia were carrying out espionage against each other in India. With the luscious backdrop of India we are immersed in the lives of Kim and his allies and foes leading very beleivable lives as they carry out their missions. Forget James Bond, this isn't escapism, but real life. I have read this story many times and it has never bored me yet, there is just so much in it. Also it has helped me in reading history and in the activities of the 'Great Game'. Reading this book is a real treasure and something that you will want to come back to time and again.

Man's red flower!, 07 Dec 2007
"Man goes to man, in the end." Poignant, endearing, at times brutal, The Jungle Book pressed all my buttons.

As a young child who loved and adored all the Disney animated classics, particularly The Jungle Book, once I found out it had actually originated from a book, it was a must read, especially from such an esteemed writer. The book however is much more in depth and fulfilling than the animated cartoon. It charts Mowgli through his adventures in the jungle and his rise to friend and master of all in his domain. Along the way Kipling breaks off for exciting forays into other animal kingdoms and environments other than just the jungle, giving a real mixed bag of wonderful images resonating in the mind, from seal and Innuit, to a mongoose and elephant, there is plenty of variety that kept me entertained.
What particularly impressed me, was the way Kipling managed to muscle a meaningful short story into individual chapters, without leaving me with a sense I hadn't gotten to know the characters.

I really loved this book, and would definitely recommenend it.

Undeservedly unfashionable - a true, timeless classic, 09 Feb 2006
Kipling has long since ceased to be a fashionable writer. Accused of being racist (for his time, class and background he was in fact highly liberal in his views) and jingoistic (he lived the days when loyalty to Queen and Country was still called patriotism), he has fallen out of favour with the literati. Despite decades of continual snubbing, his books live on and his poem, IF was recently voted by the British public as their favourite, unashamedly sentimental it may seem now but it still stands as some of the best advice a father could give to his son, which was how and why it came to be.

His books also have that ultimate mark of any classic, the ability to be enjoyed as much by grown-ups as by children. The jungle book is most probably familiar to the world now through the Disney cartoon, which bears all the relationship to the original book as Muppet Treasure Island does to Robert Louis Stevenson. The real book is much darker, much more dangerous, much more exciting and much, much more enjoyable. Kipling takes anthropomorphism to its artistic ultimate and, within the cadre of jungle animals reflects human characteristics both good and bad: the sagacity of Baloo, the wisdom of Bagheera, the nobility of Akela, the independence of Kaa, the rottenness of Shere Khan and the mindless brutality of the Dhole. Humans, by contrast, fare rather poorly being divorced from their surroundings and, unlike the jungle characters, are shallow and act with neither motivation beyond self-interest nor principle.

So impressed was Lord Baden Powell that he made this book the basis for the cub scouts (as he did with another of Kipling's masterpieces, Kim for the scouts themselves). The books may contain Victorian values, but these are the best of Victorian values and the ones that define a civilized society, even if they, like Kipling, have become unfashionable. Above all though, the Jungle Book is a ripping yarn, a page-turner, a plot-boiler and, uniquely amongst Kipling's prolific output, a spawner of sequels; something that Walt Disney obviously recognised. The only words of warning or discouragement that I would utter is that the book, as with all the Mowgli stories, can be quite sinister and not suitable for the same age range as the cartoon and, speaking of the cartoon, be prepared to despise its fluffy, trite Americanised bowdlerisms forever once you have read the original; so, if you adore Disney and want to go on loving it, perhaps you should stay away from the literature from which it stole its ideas.

One of the greatest children's books ever - read it!, 25 Jan 2002
...The Jungle Book [is] one of the most thrilling and vivid fantasies ever written. Forget about the [...] Disney version, in which Kaa is the baddie, this stuff makes your hair stand on end, it's so alive to what it must feel like to be an animal. Mowgli's arrival at the wolves' cave, pursued by the evil tiger Shere Khan, his upbringing by the wolves, his adventures in the jungle and attempt to go back to living among men is full of savagery and beauty and excitement. Interleaved among the Mowgli stories are other great animal tales - about Rikki Tikki Tavi the mongoose who takes on two deadly cobras living in an Indian garden, and fights them to the death; and about a white seal who finds the one place where seals can be safe.
You do need a bit of patience in the beginning with Kipling, but he's worth it.

Re-ignites the beauty of story telling, 19 Dec 2000
Having been of the target age when Disney's enterpritation of the stories of Mowgli game to the big screen I decided to track the source of the magical tale. This book doesn't just contain the stories that follow Mowgli's adventures in the jungle, and quite different to the Disney version they are, but many other exciting tales, everyone captivating for its entirety. Whether it is the moral issues that are raised throughout the stories, or simply the value of a great story that you are after, this book has truely stood the test of time with shining colours.

very confusing ,and boring and ,what are they on about?, 11 Aug 2000
I thought hmmmmmm this seems too confusing and what were the wolves talking about.Just this then that and Sher Khan and Mowgli.Like what kind of world is it.Well i knew it was a jungle world but it was a stupid one. i can understand hamlet better than the jungle book.In this I could only make out one or two pages.well maybe a bit more but not much.I only read it at school, and when i was in the middle of it i decided to read another book and when i was finished with the other book i said to myself well i might aswell finish it. and i was so glad that i had finally finished it.

Minus the glories of the original, 03 Jan 2008
This is a beautiful book, and the illustrations are fantastic; but as a lover of the original (I still have the copy my Dad received from his Uncle in 1943), I can't help but think 'What a shame'. It has been adapted for a more modern audience - but, in my belief, they have taken away some of the glories of the original to the detriment of the book.

What a shame that it only contains 8 of the wonderful 12 stories. I know that the four they have extracted are the harder ones to read and understand - but they are part of the beauty of the book.

Also a shame that they have replaced Rudyard Kiplings fantastically detailed and beautifully described illustrations with the works of contemporary artists, however attractive those new illustrations may be. I loved reading Kiplings instructions telling me how to colour his black, line illustrations - although I only ever coloured them with my imagination.

Don't buy this if, like me, you have fond memories of the original - as you will be disappointed. However, if you are looking for a beautifully illustrated version of a selection of old yet 'best beloved' stories - enjoy it!

Minus the glories of the original. , 28 Jun 2007
This is a beautiful book, and the illustrations are fantastic; but as a lover of the original (I still have the copy my Dad received from his Uncle in 1943), I can't help but think 'What a shame'. It has been adapted for a more modern audience - but in my belief, they have taken away some of the glories of the original to the detriment of the book.

What a shame that it only contains 8 of the wonderful 12 stories. I know that the four they have extracted are the harder ones to read and understand - but they are part of the beauty of the book.

Also a shame that they have replaced Rudyard Kiplings fantastically detailed and beautifully described illustrations with the works of contemporary artists, however attractive those new illustrations may be. I loved reading Kiplings instructions telling me how to colour his black, line illustrations - although I only ever coloured them with my imagination!

Exquisite, 25 Aug 2005
This is quite simply a beautiful edition, illustrated as follows:
How the whale got his throat - Peter Sis
How the camel got his hump - Clare Melinsky
How the rinoceros got his skin - Christopher Corr
How the leopard got his spots - Cathie Felstead
The elephant's child - Loiuse Voce
The sing-song of old man kangaroo - Jeff Fisher
The beginning of the armadillos - Jane Ray
The cat who walked by himself - Satoshi Kitamura
It makes a great present because of the different styles; you can't go wrong as there is something for everyone to love.

Wonderful classic., 10 Apr 2006
The Everyman's Library Children's Classics are a wonderful collection of traditionally bound books with beautiful illustrations. 'Just So Stories' is of course a classic. Definately worth making a set of these books up.

A book that begs to be read aloud, 10 Mar 2001
Kipling's classic volume of stories concerns the great questions of history; How the Whale got his Throat, How the Camel got his Hump, How the Alphabet was Made and many other thorny dilemmas. The language is sophisticated yet often whimsical and children love to hear the words read aloud. It is tempting to scan ahead and change things, substitute more contemporary phrases for the old but, if you can, resist the urge. Kipling was a master of the language. His writing is balanced and fluid and while it may seem dated when taken piece by piece, its sum is far greater than its parts. Read The Cat that Walked by Himself and you will never look at your own pet in quite the same way again.

A truly great Briton, 21 Mar 2007
It is unfortunate that Kipling is erroneously derided as a Fascist, racist and imperialist. His verse is often viewed in the context of our own time, rather than the period in which it was written, and his language is measured against modern standards of political correctness. As a result Kipling is seen to be jingoistic, a relic of the Empire, and of no relevance.

This is obfuscatory. An intelligent reading of Kipling's work will reveal that he was a prodigious writer of great scope, a critic of the Empire, and a great documenter of his time. This is essential reading for anyone interested in the late-Victorian and early 20th century periods.

Great Work ...... and Great Value, 03 Dec 2004
The late 20th century's trite and unjust dismissal of much of Kipling's work on the absurd charge of being a facist, a racist and an admirer of imperialism, have kept many of the marvellous works on this collection out of the public domain. He certainly was neither of the first 2 and it is doubtful if he really was the third given the degree of criticism he rails at those who governed, especially in India.
This subsequently damaged Kipling's reputation, his popularity and his acceptability in the modern PC world. OK "IF" was rather ludicrously voted as "The Nation's Favourite Poem", but that was largely because most people simply don't know of many if any other poems in general.
The introduction to the book goes some way to providing a more balanced view of Kipling and shows these absurd charges to be nothing more than slurs.
Many, I believe, make the mistake of interpreting the venacular language used by characters in the poems as representative of Kipling's own views and turn away from the brilliance of the verse. There is also an arrogant snobbery in some attitudes to the work.
As with anyone with such a prodigious output (and there are not many), not all of the poems are of great stature, but most are highly readable, enjoyable, varied and there are some clearly great ones among them.
SO much for so very little makes this a great buy.

Listen and enjoy ( and remember Animal Magic!), 15 Apr 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

Just So Stories, 17 Oct 2007
I am a nine year old boy and my teacher got our class to read Just So Stories.
I think it was okay and can be hard to understand. The illustrations were different to other stories. It was funny at some parts and I enjoyed it.
But at some parts there was some dificult to understand the language.
I recommend this book to people who were around at the time it was written.

Highly Recommend, 06 Aug 2005
I bought this for my nearly 6 year old son. He has really enjoyed listening to the stories. He can listen to several or just a couple of stories depending on his mood.

Just So Stories [AUDIOBOOK], 20 Jun 2005
3 CD pack, plenty of stories, nice inlay.

Just So Stories - Gramercy edition, 02 Mar 2004
This is the best one to get - it's a facsimile of the first edition, in hardback, and with all the original Kipling illustrations. Accept no substitutes.

Disappointing, 10 Feb 2002
I found Tony Robinson's reading of these stories very disappointing.Some of the language used is not everyday speech, and this rendering is much too fast. It is necessary to have time for the words to be absorbed and appreciated and Tony does not allow for this. An old version by David Davies (apparently no longer available ) was much more rich and satisfying.
I have now ordered the Johnny Morris version in the hope that this will fulfill our expectations.

a beauty, 22 Aug 2008
This book describes life down the Grand Trunk Road and beyond perfectly. It is a wonderful story set during the peak of the Raj. Masterfully written by someone who loved the soil of India. The story is sublime, the characters masterful and it all takes place with the background of the Indian plains and mountains: the greatest show on earth.

In Search of Kim ..., 13 Feb 2008
As the great-grandson of an Irish Colour Sergeant who married a local girl in Kashmir in the second half of the 19th century, a grandson of a REME Sergeant who was stationed in Quetta (amongst many other such places over two decades) and fought on the NW Frontier, and son of a mother born in an Army garrison and who spent her first fifteen years in the exotic places portrayed in Kipling's "Kim", I was raised on a diet of spine-tingling family tales of the Raj.
When I finally read "Kim" at the age of ten, I often imagined he was a close relation - in the way, I am sure, that many other boys born into such army families might have imagined.
Without doubt Kipling captured an India of the late 19th century. The imagery of his story has never left me. This is a tale told in a dusty bazaar by a lyrical storyteller, one which holds the listener spellbound to the very end. Kipling did in this novel what new (and not so new) scribes should perhaps aspire to. He told a story. Simply and well. These are, and always will be, the finest and most loved tales.

Hardly a classic, 04 Feb 2008
This was my first foray into Kipling, being his alleged masterpiece. All I can say is, if this is the best he can manage, I don't think I'll bother with his other works.

The problem is, I found this novel dull. Dull, dull, dull. The plot felt entirely disjointed, I mean it runs thus: Kimball meets Lama, the pair seek 'The River' while Kim delivers coded message about 'Stallion's pedigre, Kim finds father's regiment and is essentially abducted, Kim sent to St Xaviers by the Colonel, Kim receives further instructions by Babu and Lurgan, Kim is finally release to play his part in the 'Great Game', culminating in the incident with the Russian/French Sahibs in the Himalayas. Along the way of course, our protagonist finds himself in all manner of scrapes, and we marvel at his street wise attitudes.

Sometimes I read Penguin classics, and wonder how they ever deserved such a title. It seems that, when published, this novel was popular, but then people had a vaster knowledge of the British Raj. In the introduction we are told that this portrays the many castes etc in India, but of what interest is this to you or I?

Personally, I do not know the difference between a Muhummadan and a Bengali, or a Pathan. Therefore when Kipling is making witty comments about these castes, I found my concentration drifting and my eyes growing heavy. The main characters were well developed, you would expect so, and I actually liked the Lama and his devotion to his 'chela', but marvelled at his naiivety.

Another black mark, is that I don't like these new Penguin editions. The green, flimsy bound novels look and feel cheap. I know we are only paying £2, and we must think of the environment, but couldn't an effort have been made to make these more attractive? Perhaps I'm just shallow.

A fascinating adventure, 22 Oct 2007
I was very surprised when I read "Kim". I was expecting a rather cliched gung-ho story of derring-do, probably with a few out-dated colonialist views thrown in. I really did not expect the fascinating adventure story and panorama of late 19th century India that I was treated to. Although set in time, the themes and characters are timeless. The most extraordinary thing for me - when many of us in the West are just "discovering" Buddhism - were the superbly well-constructed and contrasting characters of Kim, for whom the world outside is his lifeblood and the lama, driven by the spirit within.

The Great Game, 23 Sep 2007
In this book Rudyard Kipling gave us a better understanding of nineteenth century India, as well as the first modern spy story. Kim, a young European lad becomes embroiled in the 'Great Game', where Britain and Russia were carrying out espionage against each other in India. With the luscious backdrop of India we are immersed in the lives of Kim and his allies and foes leading very beleivable lives as they carry out their missions. Forget James Bond, this isn't escapism, but real life. I have read this story many times and it has never bored me yet, there is just so much in it. Also it has helped me in reading history and in the activities of the 'Great Game'. Reading this book is a real treasure and something that you will want to come back to time and again.

Man's red flower!, 07 Dec 2007
"Man goes to man, in the end." Poignant, endearing, at times brutal, The Jungle Book pressed all my buttons.

As a young child who loved and adored all the Disney animated classics, particularly The Jungle Book, once I found out it had actually originated from a book, it was a must read, especially from such an esteemed writer. The book however is much more in depth and fulfilling than the animated cartoon. It charts Mowgli through his adventures in the jungle and his rise to friend and master of all in his domain. Along the way Kipling breaks off for exciting forays into other animal kingdoms and environments other than just the jungle, giving a real mixed bag of wonderful images resonating in the mind, from seal and Innuit, to a mongoose and elephant, there is plenty of variety that kept me entertained.
What particularly impressed me, was the way Kipling managed to muscle a meaningful short story into individual chapters, without leaving me with a sense I hadn't gotten to know the characters.

I really loved this book, and would definitely recommenend it.

Undeservedly unfashionable - a true, timeless classic, 09 Feb 2006
Kipling has long since ceased to be a fashionable writer. Accused of being racist (for his time, class and background he was in fact highly liberal in his views) and jingoistic (he lived the days when loyalty to Queen and Country was still called patriotism), he has fallen out of favour with the literati. Despite decades of continual snubbing, his books live on and his poem, IF was recently voted by the British public as their favourite, unashamedly sentimental it may seem now but it still stands as some of the best advice a father could give to his son, which was how and why it came to be.

His books also have that ultimate mark of any classic, the ability to be enjoyed as much by grown-ups as by children. The jungle book is most probably familiar to the world now through the Disney cartoon, which bears all the relationship to the original book as Muppet Treasure Island does to Robert Louis Stevenson. The real book is much darker, much more dangerous, much more exciting and much, much more enjoyable. Kipling takes anthropomorphism to its artistic ultimate and, within the cadre of jungle animals reflects human characteristics both good and bad: the sagacity of Baloo, the wisdom of Bagheera, the nobility of Akela, the independence of Kaa, the rottenness of Shere Khan and the mindless brutality of the Dhole. Humans, by contrast, fare rather poorly being divorced from their surroundings and, unlike the jungle characters, are shallow and act with neither motivation beyond self-interest nor principle.

So impressed was Lord Baden Powell that he made this book the basis for the cub scouts (as he did with another of Kipling's masterpieces, Kim for the scouts themselves). The books may contain Victorian values, but these are the best of Victorian values and the ones that define a civilized society, even if they, like Kipling, have become unfashionable. Above all though, the Jungle Book is a ripping yarn, a page-turner, a plot-boiler and, uniquely amongst Kipling's prolific output, a spawner of sequels; something that Walt Disney obviously recognised. The only words of warning or discouragement that I would utter is that the book, as with all the Mowgli stories, can be quite sinister and not suitable for the same age range as the cartoon and, speaking of the cartoon, be prepared to despise its fluffy, trite Americanised bowdlerisms forever once you have read the original; so, if you adore Disney and want to go on loving it, perhaps you should stay away from the literature from which it stole its ideas.

One of the greatest children's books ever - read it!, 25 Jan 2002
...The Jungle Book [is] one of the most thrilling and vivid fantasies ever written. Forget about the [...] Disney version, in which Kaa is the baddie, this stuff makes your hair stand on end, it's so alive to what it must feel like to be an animal. Mowgli's arrival at the wolves' cave, pursued by the evil tiger Shere Khan, his upbringing by the wolves, his adventures in the jungle and attempt to go back to living among men is full of savagery and beauty and excitement. Interleaved among the Mowgli stories are other great animal tales - about Rikki Tikki Tavi the mongoose who takes on two deadly cobras living in an Indian garden, and fights them to the death; and about a white seal who finds the one place where seals can be safe.
You do need a bit of patience in the beginning with Kipling, but he's worth it.

Re-ignites the beauty of story telling, 19 Dec 2000
Having been of the target age when Disney's enterpritation of the stories of Mowgli game to the big screen I decided to track the source of the magical tale. This book doesn't just contain the stories that follow Mowgli's adventures in the jungle, and quite different to the Disney version they are, but many other exciting tales, everyone captivating for its entirety. Whether it is the moral issues that are raised throughout the stories, or simply the value of a great story that you are after, this book has truely stood the test of time with shining colours.

very confusing ,and boring and ,what are they on about?, 11 Aug 2000
I thought hmmmmmm this seems too confusing and what were the wolves talking about.Just this then that and Sher Khan and Mowgli.Like what kind of world is it.Well i knew it was a jungle world but it was a stupid one. i can understand hamlet better than the jungle book.In this I could only make out one or two pages.well maybe a bit more but not much.I only read it at school, and when i was in the middle of it i decided to read another book and when i was finished with the other book i said to myself well i might aswell finish it. and i was so glad that i had finally finished it.

Minus the glories of the original, 03 Jan 2008
This is a beautiful book, and the illustrations are fantastic; but as a lover of the original (I still have the copy my Dad received from his Uncle in 1943), I can't help but think 'What a shame'. It has been adapted for a more modern audience - but, in my belief, they have taken away some of the glories of the original to the detriment of the book.

What a shame that it only contains 8 of the wonderful 12 stories. I know that the four they have extracted are the harder ones to read and understand - but they are part of the beauty of the book.

Also a shame that they have replaced Rudyard Kiplings fantastically detailed and beautifully described illustrations with the works of contemporary artists, however attractive those new illustrations may be. I loved reading Kiplings instructions telling me how to colour his black, line illustrations - although I only ever coloured them with my imagination.

Don't buy this if, like me, you have fond memories of the original - as you will be disappointed. However, if you are looking for a beautifully illustrated version of a selection of old yet 'best beloved' stories - enjoy it!

Minus the glories of the original. , 28 Jun 2007
This is a beautiful book, and the illustrations are fantastic; but as a lover of the original (I still have the copy my Dad received from his Uncle in 1943), I can't help but think 'What a shame'. It has been adapted for a more modern audience - but in my belief, they have taken away some of the glories of the original to the detriment of the book.

What a shame that it only contains 8 of the wonderful 12 stories. I know that the four they have extracted are the harder ones to read and understand - but they are part of the beauty of the book.

Also a shame that they have replaced Rudyard Kiplings fantastically detailed and beautifully described illustrations with the works of contemporary artists, however attractive those new illustrations may be. I loved reading Kiplings instructions telling me how to colour his black, line illustrations - although I only ever coloured them with my imagination!

Exquisite, 25 Aug 2005
This is quite simply a beautiful edition, illustrated as follows:
How the whale got his throat - Peter Sis
How the camel got his hump - Clare Melinsky
How the rinoceros got his skin - Christopher Corr
How the leopard got his spots - Cathie Felstead
The elephant's child - Loiuse Voce
The sing-song of old man kangaroo - Jeff Fisher
The beginning of the armadillos - Jane Ray
The cat who walked by himself - Satoshi Kitamura
It makes a great present because of the different styles; you can't go wrong as there is something for everyone to love.

Wonderful classic., 10 Apr 2006
The Everyman's Library Children's Classics are a wonderful collection of traditionally bound books with beautiful illustrations. 'Just So Stories' is of course a classic. Definately worth making a set of these books up.

A book that begs to be read aloud, 10 Mar 2001
Kipling's classic volume of stories concerns the great questions of history; How the Whale got his Throat, How the Camel got his Hump, How the Alphabet was Made and many other thorny dilemmas. The language is sophisticated yet often whimsical and children love to hear the words read aloud. It is tempting to scan ahead and change things, substitute more contemporary phrases for the old but, if you can, resist the urge. Kipling was a master of the language. His writing is balanced and fluid and while it may seem dated when taken piece by piece, its sum is far greater than its parts. Read The Cat that Walked by Himself and you will never look at your own pet in quite the same way again.

A truly great Briton, 21 Mar 2007
It is unfortunate that Kipling is erroneously derided as a Fascist, racist and imperialist. His verse is often viewed in the context of our own time, rather than the period in which it was written, and his language is measured against modern standards of political correctness. As a result Kipling is seen to be jingoistic, a relic of the Empire, and of no relevance.

This is obfuscatory. An intelligent reading of Kipling's work will reveal that he was a prodigious writer of great scope, a critic of the Empire, and a great documenter of his time. This is essential reading for anyone interested in the late-Victorian and early 20th century periods.

Great Work ...... and Great Value, 03 Dec 2004
The late 20th century's trite and unjust dismissal of much of Kipling's work on the absurd charge of being a facist, a racist and an admirer of imperialism, have kept many of the marvellous works on this collection out of the public domain. He certainly was neither of the first 2 and it is doubtful if he really was the third given the degree of criticism he rails at those who governed, especially in India.
This subsequently damaged Kipling's reputation, his popularity and his acceptability in the modern PC world. OK "IF" was rather ludicrously voted as "The Nation's Favourite Poem", but that was largely because most people simply don't know of many if any other poems in general.
The introduction to the book goes some way to providing a more balanced view of Kipling and shows these absurd charges to be nothing more than slurs.
Many, I believe, make the mistake of interpreting the venacular language used by characters in the poems as representative of Kipling's own views and turn away from the brilliance of the verse. There is also an arrogant snobbery in some attitudes to the work.
As with anyone with such a prodigious output (and there are not many), not all of the poems are of great stature, but most are highly readable, enjoyable, varied and there are some clearly great ones among them.
SO much for so very little makes this a great buy.

From the back cover of this book....., 16 Sep 2006
This anthology of Rudyard Kipling's greatest short stories contains some of the most memorable and popular examples of the genre of which he was an undisputed master. THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING is a classic tale of adventure as the opportunistic, renegade and vagabond pair of Daniel Dravot and Peachey Carnehan attempt to establish themselves at the level of god and king over the primitive people of Kafiristan.

Other famous short stories included are: ONLY A SUBALTERN, THE PHANTOM RICKSHAW, WEE WILLIE WINKLE, and BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP.



magic, 31 Jan 2006
This is the work of a maestro....a true genius of literature. I recently read Kim by Kipling and, having always thought it to be a children's book, was delighted at the sheer quality of writing, its narrative drive, its incredible characters and colour and sense of time and place. The Man Who Would Be King, though occasionally not equalled in some of the other short stories sitting alongside it, is a classic. Anyone who recalls the film version with Michael Caine and Sean Connery, will not be disappointed.

I guess you had to be there, 1