Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

From Publishers Weekly
With this newly illustrated edition of the treasured classic--written in the 1890s as part of the Jungle Books --readers can once again be captivated by the tale of a mongoose who is taken in by a family of British colonials living in India. Although a few Victorianisms in the text will need to be explained to young readers, the story has held up remarkably well over a century's time. Rikki's fight to defend his family from the menacing cobras Nag and Nagaina remains as suspenseful and emotive as ever. The creatures of the Indian garden come truly alive in Kipling's expert prose--the birds sing out messages of joy and warning; the cobra rears and spreads his sinister hood; the brave mongoose leaps and springs, victorious at last. In Davis's ( The Jolly Mon ; Trouble Dolls ) acrylic paintings, dominated by the greens of the garden and the browns of the earth, readers can clearly see the nut-colored mongoose, his adoptive family in their period dress and the slithering snakes. However, the artist's style and chosen medium produce a somewhat flat, torpid appearance. Razor-sharp writing with rather dull artistic accompaniment. Ages 6-up. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4-Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Rudyard Kipling's beloved story of a brave little mongoose and the boy and his family that he protects from the evil cobras, found a whole new generation of readers in Jerry Pinkney's beautiful version (Morrow, 1997). Now the book makes a successful transition to video. The pastel watercolors that so perfectly capture an English country garden (albeit transported to colonial India) are present in all their luminous beauty. The sound effects and musical score enhance the telling of the story which is well narrated by the fine British actor Michael York. The young mongoose is washed from his home and lands in Teddy's garden. At first his mother is afraid to keep the wild mongoose, but the father convinces everyone that the young animal not only is safe, but may even protect them from the dangerous snakes present in India. The snakes are decidedly evil, and Kipling doesn't waste any sentiments. Indeed, the anthropomorphism is rampant, but the courage of the mongoose and the bond of loyalty and friendship that develops provide a departure point for a discussion of human/animal relationships. An exploration of animal habits and the role of different animals in an ecosystem will encourage children to move beyond the story's simplistic portrayal of good and evil. The story will capture the imagination of children.Emily Herman, Emma Hutchinson Elementary School, Atlanta, GA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
This recording was among 29 recorded books recommended by the Association of Library Service to Children of the American Library Association in January 2000. The much-loved RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI gains an added dimension with evocative music as well. Not only is the wide cast fully voiced with hissing cobras, squeaky tailorbirds and the sensible little mongoose, all in Indian and British accents, but music underlies every scene, whether for suspense, triumph or sorrow. T.B. (c) AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Kirkus Reviews
Pinkney dwells on this story of Rikki-tikki-tavi, the sensible, brave mongoose adopted by an English family living in India. The animals speak to each other, so readers know how the little mongoose is aided by the tailorbird, Darzee, and and his wife in escaping death from the menacing cobras who hope to kill the human family and raise their 25 hatchlings in an empty house. Excitement and danger ebb and flow throughout the illustrations for this classic story. The people are drawn with less vitality than the creatures, yet the stances and concerns of the human parents echo those of the animals for their children. Exotic flora borders garden baths; a few details--an antique inkwell- -exemplify the period; yet the true strength of the large watercolors is in the framing of deadly fighting and impending attacks. Pinkney puts his heart into a story he loves, and makes it live again. (Picture book. 5-10) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book Description
"Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!"

A classic story from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, adapted and illustrated by award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney, this is the tale of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a fearless young mongoose.

ANNOTATION

A courageous mongoose thwarts the evil plans of Nag and Nagaina, two big black cobras who live in the garden.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Here is the thrilling story of Rikki, a fearless young mongoose who finds himself locked in a life-and-death struggle to protect a boy and his parents from Nag and Nagaina, the two enormous cobras who stalk the gardens outside the familys home in India. Nobel Prize winner Rudyard Kiplings timeless masterpiece has been lovingly passed from one generation of readers to the next. Triumphantly brought to life in stunning watercolors from Caldecott Honor artist Jerry Pinkney, this is a tale that will win the hearts of young and old alike.

SYNOPSIS

A brave young mongoose struggles to protect a boy and his parents from two enormous cobras.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Pinkney (The Jungle Book: The Mowgli Stories) applies his considerable talents to the smooth retelling and lush illustration of one of Kipling's best-loved animal tales. An English family living in India can hardly foresee their good fortune when a scraggly-looking mongoose literally washes up on their doorstep. But Rikki-tikki-tavi (so named for the clucking sounds he makes) becomes champion protector of garden and household as he courageously defends his new human friends from the dangerous snakes living on the grounds. Kipling's exotic animal world comes to life in the voices of Rikki-tikki and other talkative creatures, and Pinkney carefully structures his descriptive passages to present well-rounded animal characters. The hissing, threat-filled dialogue of wicked cobras Nag and Nagaina and Darzee the bird's excited calls of warning perfectly express their respective personalities. Even pacing allows the excitement to build gradually and rewards readers with several adrenaline-rush payoffs within the story. Full-bodied watercolors showcase visually thrilling confrontations between Rikki-tikki and his slithering enemies, while portraits of Rikki-tikki snuggling with the family are warm without being sappy. A captivating work. All ages. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW praised Pinkney's smooth retelling and lush illustration of one of Kipling's best-loved animal tales: "Full-bodied watercolors showcase visually thrilling confrontations [while] portraits are warm without being sappy." Ages 3-8. (May) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Dr. Judy Rowen

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi's valiant struggle against two scheming cobras is presented with Pinkney's stunning, sun-dappled watercolors. All of the animals depicted, from the mongoose of the title to the scolding tailorbird, are drawn realistically but remain imbued with individual personalities. In his afterword, Pinkney shares that this tale is one of his childhood favorites. This edition will undoubtedly fill that magic niche for a new generation of children.

Children's Literature - Kristin Harris

Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book is among the most beloved of children's books. Included within is this story of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the mongoose. Washed away from his home as a young animal, Rikki-Tikki ends up, half dead, in the garden of Teddy's home. He and Teddy became fast friends. Rikki-Tikki was a very curious animal, and welcomed the opportunity to explore Teddy's house and grounds. It didn't take him long to discover that there were two cobras terrorizing the garden. Soon the battle lines are drawn, and Rikki-Tikki eventually became a great hero. All of the "Candlewick Treasures" series are beautifully illustrated. Each edition is unique. These paintings are reminiscent of Persian miniatures.

School Library Journal