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How the whale got his throat
Relates how a clever little fish and a mariner of "infinite-resource- and-sagacity" modify the whale's throat to keep him from devouring all the fish in the ocean.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2017
About the author
Rudyard Kipling
7,310 books3,753 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
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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March 3, 2016 This short story was on Spotify so I thought, "Why not listen to it?"
March 19, 2017
I hated Kipling before this story ... HILARIOUS !!!!!!! I wish all of his stories were this witty :)
March 28, 2015
A nice short story by Rudyard Kipling from the 'Just So' stories. Classic story telling by one of the literary giants, told in simple terms but reaches out to all ages.
July 26, 2016
Read this on Booktrack with perfect sounds and music to back it up. Adorable children's story.
April 17, 2019
I have arranged my overall thoughts on this short story into a haiku:
"Thoughtful of Kipling,
To link whales of Monstro fame
To their real diets."
"Thoughtful of Kipling,
To link whales of Monstro fame
To their real diets."
August 8, 2020
A lovely modernisation of Rudyard Kipling's 'Just So' story with beautiful, vivid, illustrations by Claudia Ranucci. Flo and I love the simple logic of the story - "it's not true though is it Daddy..."
November 14, 2024
Witty and beautifully written - looking forward to reading the other tales that make up the Just So Stories. Great for children and adults alike.
A quick and easy way to make up any reading challenge when time is short.
A quick and easy way to make up any reading challenge when time is short.
May 16, 2017
2.5
Never forget the suspenders. Wasn't really at my liking.
Never forget the suspenders. Wasn't really at my liking.
April 4, 2018
A very amusing story by Kipling.
May 30, 2018
It's highly entertaining listening to Ralph Fiennes reading the rhyming poems.
June 15, 2021
Its fantastic book .and its an educational book
July 1, 2022
Cute graphics but dull storyline. Whichever way you turn, humans are always messing with animals’ lives.
August 16, 2022
It was just so.
February 3, 2026
This one will be very good for practicing/improving speech.
March 2, 2014
When the Whale has eaten up every fish he can find, he meets the 'Stute Fish. Can the little fish escape the big Whale? And what happens when the Whale finds out that Man tastes nice?
From School Library JournalBks.). CIP. Philomel. 1988. Tr $5.95. Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Small (6 square), single editions present new illustrations for two of the most popular "Just So Stories." Each is filled with full-color watercolor illustrations executed in subtle tones. The format consists of double-page spreads, featuring a segment of the unabridged text above a small decoration which is faced by a full-page illustration, carefully surrounded by stylized borders and backgrounds. While individual illustrations are pleasant, there is little variety in style and composition, resulting in an overall effect of rigidity and predictability. The static, formal presentation is acceptable as an expression of the droll humor of the camel's tale, but the rollicking action of the whale's story is sadly suppressed. The series published by Peter Bedrick offers a better alternative for illustrated single editions of the tales. A wide variety of collections are available, including those illustrated by the author, and are better choices for most collections. --Starr LaTronica, North Berkeley Library, Calif.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Shoo Rayner is the author and illustrator of many well-loved books, including THE GINGER NINJA and RICKY ROCKET series.
December 21, 2017
The audiobook version I listened to was cute. I'm not a huge fan of the illustrations in this print edition, though. Nor do I like the idea of misinforming children about whales. Unless the lies are particularly ridiculous, a la Dr. and Mr. Doris Haggis-on-Whey (AKA the Eggars brothers)... Maybe I just don't like Kipling.
January 7, 2013
Excellent.
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October 2, 2015narrated by Ralph Fiennes
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews