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How the Leopard Got His Spots and Other Just So Stories
Kipling's "Just So Stories" have enthralled generations of children and adults who have delighted in their whimsical explanations of the special physical characteristics of certain animals. This collection contains six of the best of these tales, charming new illustrations by Thea Kliros. Three of them explain "How the Whale Got His Throat, " "How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin" and "How the Leopard Got His Spots." "The Crab That Played with the Sea" relates the crab's origins. "The Cat That Walked by Himself" amusingly describes the special relationship between cats and those they permit to shelter them. The comical tale of Solomon and his many wives, "The Butterfly That Stamped, " rounds out this entertaining treasury of Kipling tales.
Dover (1992) republication of six stories from " Just So Stories for Little Children, " published by Doubleday, Page & Company, New York, 1902. 6 illustrations. New introductory Note. 96pp. 5 3/16 * 8
Dover (1992) republication of six stories from " Just So Stories for Little Children, " published by Doubleday, Page & Company, New York, 1902. 6 illustrations. New introductory Note. 96pp. 5 3/16 * 8
82 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
About the author
Rudyard Kipling
7,496 books3,814 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."
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 5, 2024
Book #32 of 2021. "How the Leopard Got His Spots and Other Stories" by Rudyard Kipling. 3/5 rating. This is a collection of 4 short fables by Rudyard.
These stories tell how the leopard got his spots, the whale got his throat, the camel got his hump, and the rhino got his skin. There are some little tidbits of morals in here, but mostly it's just a testament to us humans liking to tell stories about things we can't explain.
The whole collection is only 61 pages so this was a very short read. I have to be honest, though, there are a million children's fables that are more interesting, more entertaining, better written, funnier, or just overall better than these four stories. Go read any of those unless you're just trying to knock off reading a famous author's book.
These stories tell how the leopard got his spots, the whale got his throat, the camel got his hump, and the rhino got his skin. There are some little tidbits of morals in here, but mostly it's just a testament to us humans liking to tell stories about things we can't explain.
The whole collection is only 61 pages so this was a very short read. I have to be honest, though, there are a million children's fables that are more interesting, more entertaining, better written, funnier, or just overall better than these four stories. Go read any of those unless you're just trying to knock off reading a famous author's book.
October 9, 2021
This is a classic that I remember as a child, we had the whole collection. I remember these books fondly. Just had to listen to the Audible and the person who read it did a great job!
July 19, 2014
My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start one.
http://spreadthewordnevada.org/
Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.
I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.
January 7, 2013
Excellent.
Read
June 4, 2014x5
April 4, 2018
Not one of his best ‘Justso’ stories, but, a quick easy read nonetheless.
May 1, 2018
These are cute stories that can possibly be read to children. Warning though, the N word is used in How the Leopard Got His Spots.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews