Just So Stories: And Other Tales FROM THE PUBLISHER
Everyone knows Rudyard Kipling's animals are the ones most worthknowing anywhere. This collection — beautifully performed by Boris Karloff — includes Kipling's Just So Stories (where we meet the animals when the world was new — so new, in fact, that the Rhinoceros had not yet losthis buttons!) and stories from his timeless classic, The Jungle Book.
FROM THE CRITICS
Atlantic Monthly
If you have children, use it as an excuse to buy [this recording], which you will enjoy immensely.
Publishers Weekly
HarperChildren's Audio continues its re-release rollout of classic backlist titles with Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories and Other Tales performed by the late British actor Boris Karloff. Just So stories include "How the Leopard Got His Spots" and "The Elephant's Child"; the "other stories" are tales from Kipling's The Jungle Book, including "Mowgli's Brothers." (July) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Children's Literature
When a classic book comes out on tape, one has immediate questions. Will the story still succeed with children? Will it be as wonderful as you remembered? How will it translate to tape? This re-release of several combined recordings of Kipling's classics read by Boris Karloff satisfies each question with a resounding YES! I'd forgotten Kipling's passion for word play, how his rhythms and rhymes build stories about unforgettable characters and how he reaches out and invites listeners into his stories. His work is made to be read aloud and there couldn't be a more perfect reader than Karloff. Karloff's rich, rolling voice shows his love of words, admiration of Kipling's writing, and his enthusiasm for the reading. I couldn't help smiling as I heard and remembered how the rhino got his wrinkled skin and the elephant child received her long trunk and became a spanker, not spankee. Listening, I was transported to the first times I savored being one of Kipling's best beloved. There are four cassettes. 2001, Harper Children's Audio, $24.00. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
AudioFile
Recorded before Boris Karloff's death in 1969, this production includes the JUST SO STORIES along with a few JUNGLE BOOK selections as an extra treat. Anthony Quayle reads "How the Alphabet Was Made." All the others, including such favorites as "How the Leopard Got Its Spots" and "The Elephant Child," are read by Karloff. Although Boris Karloff is best known in the Unites States for his horror film roles, he was a classically trained actor with a distinguished stage and film career. His voice and articulation are perfect for these tales: soothing and emotive, suspenseful at just the right places. A 6-year-old listener was as captivated as the reviewer —listening to the tapes over and over. An excellent selection for shared adult/child listening. R.E.K. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine
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