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Just So Stories Hardcover – September 27, 1996

by Rudyard Kipling (Author), Barry Moser (Illustrator), Peter Glassman (Afterword)

4.3 1,738 ratings

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How did the camel get his hump? How did the leopard get his spots? How did the elephant get his trunk?

These are questions that children around the world have asked for centuries, but it took Nobel Prize winner Rudyard Kipling's lively, hilarious stories to give them answers. For one hundred years, these classic tales -- drawn from the oral storytelling traditions of India and Africa and filled with mischievously clever animals and people -- have entertained young and old alike.Intertwined within these delightful tales are little pearls of wisdom about the pitfalls of arrogance and pride and the importance of curiosity, imagination, and inventiveness. Kipling's rhythmic prose makes these tales perfect for sharing aloud with the whole family.

This deluxe edition contains all of Kiplin's unforgettable stories as well as ten stunning watercolors, along with numerous black-and-white drawings, from award-winning artist Barry Moser, bringing this timeless masterpiece brilliantly to life for a whole new generation of readers.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. This handsome edition of Kipling's 12 original stories features 10 color plates as well as a number of black-and-white ink drawings. The drawings have a rather sketchy, informal look, whereas the watercolor paintings reflect the more polished, formal style of character portraits often seen in Moser's work. Libraries that offer a selection of the classics will want to add this version to their collections. Carolyn Phelan

About the Author

Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay (now known as Mumbai), India, but returned with his parents to England at the age of five. Among Kipling’s best-known works are The Jungle Book, Just So Stories, and the poems “Mandalay” and “Gunga Din.” Kipling was the first English-language writer to receive the Nobel Prize for literature (1907) and was among the youngest to have received the award.

Barry Moser is the prizewinning illustrator and designer of more than three hundred books for children and adults. He is widely celebrated for his dramatic wood engravings for the only twentieth-century edition of the entire King James Bible illustrated by a single artist. He lives in western Massachusetts.

Peter Glassman is the owner of Books of Wonder, the New York City bookstore and publisher specializing in new and old imaginative books for children. He is also the editor of the Books of Wonder Classics, a series of deluxe facsimiles and newly illustrated editions of timeless tales. And he is the author of The Wizard Next Door, illustrated by Steven Kellogg. Mr. Glassman lives in New York City.

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4.3 1,738 ratings

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Rudyard Kipling
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Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was born in Bombay in December 1865. He returned to India from England shortly before his seventeenth birthday, to work as a journalist first on the Civil and Military Gazette in Lahore, then on the Pioneer at Allahabad. The poems and stories he wrote over the next seven years laid the foundation of his literary reputation, and soon after his return to London in 1889 he found himself world-famous. Throughout his life his works enjoyed great acclaim and popularity, but he came to seem increasingly controversial because of his political opinions, and it has been difficult to reach literary judgements unclouded by partisan feeling.
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Cynthia O' Keeffe

Great reading+ Great literature for all ages

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2021

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I first read this book many years ago in Elementary School. As I look back at the stories, I consider them classics for adults and children. The author was born in India during the Raj; his Amma taught him to remember to speak English, his second language.
Kipling is great reading for young children and adults for the quality of the stories, and his use of the English language. Today, I find contemporary children's books that lack the beauty and language of these stories.
I have gifted them to all my grandchildren so they may, by reading quality works, learn to speak and write well. Perfect for Christmas or anytime reading.
Kipling also wrote 'Captains Courageous', which differs significantly from the 1937 film in plot line. The novel is quite suitable for young readers, too.
*** Please note there are TWO volumes to the Jungle Books, the second has continuing stories about Mowgli, and others.***

2 people found this helpful

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Surf

Excellent book

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2008

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I thought I had written a review on this previously, but I think it had a slightly different title (complete just so stories) so I'll write one for this particular title. I was given this book years ago, when my son was 3, by a friend of mine. He told me I should read the stories first and pick out the ones that I felt would be appropriate for my son, which I did. He loved the stories, particularly "how the rhinoceros got his skin," and I read it to him almost every night (we had been reading all Disney stories up until then). There were about 2 or 3 other stories in the book that we also read. It was wonderful and made him smile before going to sleep, always important! Yes, there are phrases, etc., in the book that are inappropriate, but Disney also has some pretty embarrassing things in their books, as well. Really. Read the things you intend to read to your children, and make decisions based on your perception of content. It's an excellent book, with some very excellent stories. My son still remembers that book, and still loves the stories. Because I sold the book when we moved, I purchased a new one for a friend just having a baby recently. As I was told years ago, I told her to read the stories first and find the ones that she liked, and felt were good for her child.

2 people found this helpful

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Nikki Bennett

Oh How I Love the Just-So Stories

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2011

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There were a few stories in here that I don't remember reading when I was a kid, which was cool. I absolutely love the Just-So Stories, it doesn't matter how often I read them, I never get tired of them and always find them absolutely hysterical. THis is an excellent version EXCEPT:

Unfortunately, the picture aren't included, and the picture captions in the original edition are just as hilarious as the stories. It's too bad these couldn't be included because they are just roll-on-the-floor funny.

There is a table of contents for the stories, which is great, since I like skipping to my favorites without having to scroll through the other chapters.

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024

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This book is so amazing. The illustrations in this publication make it even better.

One person found this helpful

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Nell T. Sheldon

Unusual stories

Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024

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Nice quality great service

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024

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When ordered there was no mention of this being reused. Came with a partial sticker on front cover. Not sure if trying to remove it will damage the front cover. I realize it is a paperback but still. Disappointing

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Billie too

Wonderful, entertaining stories for both children and adults. Or as people like to say, for children of all ages.

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2015

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When I was a child, the highlight of my Sunday was listening to my aunt read the Just So Stories to my siblings and me. My personal favorites are "the Cat Who Walks By Himself" and "Elephant's Child". As an adult I have read these wonderful stories aloud to others using the same dramatization that I heard my aunt used. In my book collection, I have the complete works of Rudyard Kipling that I inherited from my grandmother So I have the actual volume that my aunt used to read to us.
Now I also have the stories on my iPad and always have access to: "excuse me" said the Elephant's Child, "but have you seen a Crocodile in these promiscuous parts?" and "I am the Cat who walks by himself and all places are alike to me."
As part of my courtship, my future husband listened to me read those and other stories so I knew he was a keeper.
For any parent who reads aloud to his/her child, I highly recommend these stories as a source material. They will entertain you as well as your child.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Very Bad Copy

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2020

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If I could, I would give this edition NO stars because it is unreadable, but I must give it one to submit this review. The text appears to be translated from a foreign language and then not proofread. Also, the edition listed in Kindle Unlimited suffers from the same complaint. I am returning this ebook. The correct text is contained in "The Complete Works of Rudyard Kipling," which I purchased for less than the cost of this edition.

3 people found this helpful

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C P

One of the best children books ever endured over a century

Reviewed in India on February 7, 2023

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I read it at age 5 ,that is 56 years ago
I have gifted this book to every child I know
They really need to know how the leopard got it's spots or the elephants got it's nose
If the parents don't know ,they need to read this book aloud to their children
This book needs to be read aloud

7 people found this helpful

Will

Good quality book, Excellent quality writing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 19, 2021

Verified Purchase

I remember when I was little listening to these stories on tape in the car, and after hearing a friend talk about how his father used to read them to him (and him then reciting one correctly from memory) I bought the book and felt very nostalgic reading them. I would certainly recommend this to anyone with kids, or to anyone who wants to relive a little childhood innocence, especially this edition with such a tasteful hardback cover.

One person found this helpful

Canada Crone

Truly Magical!

Reviewed in Canada on November 16, 2018

Verified Purchase

I am delighted with this edition which contains the original illustrations. It's exactly as I remember it from my own childhood (60+ years ago!) and I am sure my Great Niece will find it every bit as enchanting as I did. Beautifully bound, printed and illustrated ... what more can I say?

2 people found this helpful

A customer

Lo que necesitaba

Reviewed in Spain on April 23, 2020

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Gracias

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Hazel

Just so stories

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 22, 2017