Classic Starts: Animal Stories

by Diane Namm (Adapter), Eric Freeberg (Illustrator), Arthur Pober (Afterword)

Here come the animals!  From Rudyard Kipling’s most popular Just-So Stories to Jack London’s “Brown Wolf,” this collection features some of the best-loved animal tales of all time. They include Kipling’s “How the Elephant Got His Trunk”; Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Wild Swans”; Mark Twain’s “A Dog’s Tale”; Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “The Squirrels That Live in a House,” and more.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Classics

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Vivian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT yield to a temptation to share a watered down classic with your child. Your child deserves better, and so do you.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here’s the thing, dear readers. Today’s youth is simply missing a HUGE chunk of what you and I got served up in spades. Classic literature and nursery rhymes just aren’t part of their nightly (or even daily) ritual anymore. As a result, they miss whole portions of literary nuances in their own reading as they grow older.

I’m not averse to introducing them to what they should have gotten when they were younger in the reader’s digest format. Hey, they’re reading (win) and being exposed to stories from long ago, stories that are, in large part, the foundation of TODAY’S stories.

Would I rather they heard the tales straight from the horse’s mouth? You betcha. I have fond memories of Rudyard Kipling, thanks to my father’s readalouds. But I’m a realist. Which is why I agreed to read this book upon the urging of a student who “only reads classic books.” Jack London, Rudyard Kipling, Hans Christian Anderson and Harriet Beecher Stowe? Sure, they’re abridged. But maybe, just maybe, this little bite entices ‘em to pick up the real thing.

[Afifah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall 3.5 out of 5 stars.

"Just So" Stories: It was okay. A little bit too young for me, but it was fine.
Stories by Hans Christian Andersen: I liked it.
A Dog's Tale by Mark Twain: I love love it. I think I even cried a little bit. It was so heartwarming.
Brown Wolf by Jack London: Another lovely story. Very enjoyable
Stories from 'Queer Little Folks': It was okay. Pretty enjoyable.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abridged versions of some "Just So" stories by Rudyard Kipling, two Hans Christian Andersen stories, one story each from Jack London and Mark Twain, and two from Harriet Beecher Stowe. Good adaptations of these stories for young people.

[Susan]

Read for work, no review

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think my favorite might be the elephant. Not cause it's my favorite animal.

[Sarah B]

I loved it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anisa Sadimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to read online this book

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with my first-grade daughter. A delightful collection of tales from Kipling, Beecher Stowe, London, etc. Perfect for elementary-age readers, and fun for adults, too!

[Dillan Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was hilarious and very cool.