What do you think?
Rate this book
Tales from The Jungle Book
An adaptation of the well-known adventures of Mowgli, a boy reared by a pack of wolves, and the wild animals of the jungle.
- GenresChildrens
61 pages, Hardcover
Published April 12, 1985
3 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Rudyard Kipling
7,211 books3,687 followersJoseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 29, 2024
listened to the audiobook edition published by InAudio and read by Ralph Cosham. included 'Mowgli's Brothers', 'Kaa's Hunting', 'The King's Ankus', 'Tiger, tiger', 'Letting in the Jungle', and 'Red Dog'. liked it very much.
November 19, 2017
I never read children's books when I was a child. I was fortunate later to have friends that would read them to me. A high school friend read me the Winnie the Pooh stories. And in college my girlfriend (now wife) regularly read aloud book after book after book. Some stories are meant to be read aloud, especially "children's" stories.
I listened to the Jungle Book on Audiobooks from the Gutenberg Project--where volunteers narrate public domain books. The version I listened to was narrated by Meredith Hughes. It was like being back in my dorm room on a cool evening, listening to tales I will never forget.
Many of us are familiar with the story of Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves and his friends Balou the Bear and Baghira the Panther, and his feud with Shere Khan the man-eating tiger. The book went into much more detail about Mowgli's difficult return to "civilization" than the Disney cartoon or the recent Disney film (though the older movie was slightly truer to the book). If you don't know the story, treat yourself to a quick read (or to any of the movies). If you have only seen the movies, you owe it to yourself to read the book or, better, to have someone read it to you.
The story stands by itself as a good yarn. But it also reflects on the nature of law (the Law of the Jungle versus the Law of Man) and the virtues of family and clan, honesty, diligence, and effort. There are also lessons about revenge, spite, and duplicity. This is not a one dimensional cant of "nature is good, man bad". There are both noble humans (such as Mowgli and his human mother) and animals. And there are bad animals (Shere Khan and the apes) and humans (the village hunter and priest). In any case, the stories not morality tales. They are engaging and enjoyable.
This volume includes other stories than just those of Mowgli. There is Rikki-tikki-tavi, whom many will recognize as the loyal, courageous little mongoose. There is Kotick, the while seal, who overcomes his people's sloth and skepticism to save them from decimation. These are not cute bedtime stories for children. Rikki is bloody minded and vicious to his cobra foe,. Kotick is red all over in one scene, covered in the blood of the other seals whom he has fought for harem rights. Nonetheless, these are tales that children will enjoy and remember for their entire lives. I also highly recommend these tales to adults, whether they are reading them for the first time or returning to them many years later.
I listened to the Jungle Book on Audiobooks from the Gutenberg Project--where volunteers narrate public domain books. The version I listened to was narrated by Meredith Hughes. It was like being back in my dorm room on a cool evening, listening to tales I will never forget.
Many of us are familiar with the story of Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves and his friends Balou the Bear and Baghira the Panther, and his feud with Shere Khan the man-eating tiger. The book went into much more detail about Mowgli's difficult return to "civilization" than the Disney cartoon or the recent Disney film (though the older movie was slightly truer to the book). If you don't know the story, treat yourself to a quick read (or to any of the movies). If you have only seen the movies, you owe it to yourself to read the book or, better, to have someone read it to you.
The story stands by itself as a good yarn. But it also reflects on the nature of law (the Law of the Jungle versus the Law of Man) and the virtues of family and clan, honesty, diligence, and effort. There are also lessons about revenge, spite, and duplicity. This is not a one dimensional cant of "nature is good, man bad". There are both noble humans (such as Mowgli and his human mother) and animals. And there are bad animals (Shere Khan and the apes) and humans (the village hunter and priest). In any case, the stories not morality tales. They are engaging and enjoyable.
This volume includes other stories than just those of Mowgli. There is Rikki-tikki-tavi, whom many will recognize as the loyal, courageous little mongoose. There is Kotick, the while seal, who overcomes his people's sloth and skepticism to save them from decimation. These are not cute bedtime stories for children. Rikki is bloody minded and vicious to his cobra foe,. Kotick is red all over in one scene, covered in the blood of the other seals whom he has fought for harem rights. Nonetheless, these are tales that children will enjoy and remember for their entire lives. I also highly recommend these tales to adults, whether they are reading them for the first time or returning to them many years later.
July 2, 2020
Check out my review on the main version of the book!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 31, 2023
A very good book for my support learners to access when reading Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’ with my Year 5 class.
February 5, 2019
Many years ago I read Kipling’s “Mowgli Stories” and didn’t get along with it. I have the gorgeous Minalima illustrated edition of “The Jungle Book” but wanted to give this sample a go first to dip my toe in.
There were two short stories included here and I enjoyed them both immensely. While there are human characters in both pieces the stories are told through the eyes of animals and are both humorous and philosophical. After reading this I’m definitely looking forward to reading the whole book.
On a side note... there’s an adorable terrier named Vixen in one of the stories here. She reminded me of my brother’s sweet terrier Chihiro so much that I had to cuddle her when I finished reading this. Dog people, you’ve been warned. ;)
There were two short stories included here and I enjoyed them both immensely. While there are human characters in both pieces the stories are told through the eyes of animals and are both humorous and philosophical. After reading this I’m definitely looking forward to reading the whole book.
On a side note... there’s an adorable terrier named Vixen in one of the stories here. She reminded me of my brother’s sweet terrier Chihiro so much that I had to cuddle her when I finished reading this. Dog people, you’ve been warned. ;)
November 11, 2012
I enjoyed Rikki Tikki Tavi much more than Her Majesty's Servants.
Rikki Tikki Tavi was a fun story, full of suspense and with a loveable character. Who couldn't love a little mongoose?
When I first read this when I was much younger, I didn't understand Her Majesty's Servants. I was never quite sure what was going on and the characters got all muddled in my head. Perhaps if I re-read it I'll understand a bit more.
Rikki Tikki Tavi was a fun story, full of suspense and with a loveable character. Who couldn't love a little mongoose?
When I first read this when I was much younger, I didn't understand Her Majesty's Servants. I was never quite sure what was going on and the characters got all muddled in my head. Perhaps if I re-read it I'll understand a bit more.
January 7, 2013
Excellent.
June 27, 2016
Fun little read that was one of my favourites as a kid!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews