 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Just So Stories
- By Rudyard Kipling
- Genre: Folklore
Common Sense Media says
Lively language, funny stories, fanciful animals.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that lively language, humorous stories, and fanciful animals rendered in watercolor and pen-and-ink make for an unusual and delightful read-aloud.
What's the story?
Why do elephants have trunks? Where did the alphabet come from? How did the leopard get his spots? In these twelve creation fables the mysteries are answered in the most creative ways. Informal pen-and-ink sketches along with detailed watercolor paintings draw the viewer into this charming world.
Is it any good?
There is nothing else quite like JUST SO STORIES. Written in lyrical, sing-song, half made-up words, they flow from the tongue in a way that delights both reader and listener. Designed to be read aloud, they are less successful as a read-alone. Rudyard Kipling wrote these stories for his daughter, and they got their name because she wanted them "just so."
The captions to his black and white illustrations are whimsical and gently naughty. They elaborate on the story (and sometimes things that don't even happen in the story). Sometimes this endearing style doesn't work. In The Crab That Played Kipling's showy language is sometimes more confusing than playful. But in How the Whale Got His Throat, every word is aptly chosen.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the fables here. How are these animals like people? Come up with your own fantastic tales to explain how something came to be.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Bring your imagination and dictionary to the table!
Fun to read, but vocabulary is slightly advanced for little ones, on par for Kipling. The stories are fun and imaginative.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Author: | Rudyard Kipling |
| Illustrator: | Rudyard Kipling |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Folklore |
| Publisher: | Penguin Group |
| Publication date: | December 31, 1969 |
| Number of pages: | 128 |
| Hardcover price: | $24.99 |
| Paperback price: | $0.00 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
Review It
Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
