book review of the jungle book written by rudyard kipling

The Jungle Book

By rudyard kipling.

With the stories of Mowgli, the feral child raised by wolves in the jungle, Kipling tells tales of adventure and myth and teaches timeless moral lessons.

About the Book

Article written by Ebuka Igbokwe

Bachelor's degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

‘ The Jungle Book ’ is a collection of stories by the English author Rudyard Kipling, published in 1894. The stories are mainly about Mowgli, a feral boy raised by a pack of wolves in the Indian jungle, and his adventures. The stories explore themes of law, freedom, loyalty, and identity , as well as the contrast between civilization and nature. ‘ The Jungle Book ‘ is considered a classic of children’s literature and has been adapted into many films, TV shows, and musicals.

Title: ‘ The Jungle Book ’
Published: 1894
Literary Period: Victorian Literature
Genre: Children’s Book
Point of View: Third-Person
Setting: Colonial India, North Pole
Climax: Mowgli stampedes buffalo herd to trample Shere Khan

Rudyard Kipling and The Jungle Book

Influenced by the stories he picked up growing up in India , Rudyard Kipling wrote ‘ The Jungle Book ’, a collection of short stories, some related and others stand-alone. In a fashion reminiscent of Hindi fable texts, Kipling writes anthropomorphic animal tales that teach moral lessons. There are indications Kipling wrote these tales for his young daughter, Josephine. These tales were first published in magazines in 1893 and 1894 and were later collected in a book in 1894, accompanied by illustrations made by Rudyard Kipling’s father, John Lockwood Kipling.

Rudyard Kipling was born and raised in 1865 in Bombay, British India. This experience influenced most of his work, including ‘ The Jungle Book ’. He was a prolific writer, publishing several novels, short stories, poetry, and newspaper articles. His notable works include ‘ Kim ’, ‘ Just So Stories ’, and ‘ The Second Jungle Book ’. He received the 1907 Nobel Prize in Literature for his contributions to world literature.

The story of ‘ The Jungle Book ’ features the adventures of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves , a panther, and a bear, and his hostility with a lame tiger, Shere Khan. It also contains stories of a white seal’s search for a home for a paradise for his kind, away from human predation; a little mongoose’s brave defense of its adoptive family; and a young elephant keeper’s lucky witness of the mysterious elephants’ dance. This book is an everlasting classic and has continued to be a pleasure to read over the ages.

Books Related to The Jungle Book

If you enjoyed ‘ The Jungle Book,’ you might also like these books by Rudyard Kipling.

‘ The Second Jungle Book ’— This is a sequel of the ‘ The Jungle Book ’. It is a collection of stories featuring anthropomorphic animals, like its prequel, and most stories star Mowgli. It includes stories about how the tiger got its stripes, Mowgli’s revenge on the villagers who banished him, and Mowgli’s plan to rescue his wolf pack from a pack of dholes.
‘ Just So Stories ’— This also is a classic children’s book and a collection of humorous origin tales. In this imaginative work, Kipling weaves enchanting narratives explaining how certain animals acquired unique characteristics. It features the elephant who got its long trunk by trying to pull himself from the grip of a crocodile that had bitten its nose, or how the kangaroo got powerful hind legs by running away from a pursuing dingo dog.

Other similar books by other authors include:

‘ The Graveyard Book ’ —This novel by Neil Gaiman is a spellbinding coming-of-age tale that unfolds in a graveyard. After an assassin kills his parents and leaves him an orphan, Nobody Owens finds refuge and a peculiar upbringing in a graveyard, raised by ghosts and supernatural guardians. Gaiman’s masterful storytelling blends fantasy, mystery, and heart-warming moments as Bod encounters ancient secrets and faces the dark forces threatening his life. ‘The Graveyard Book’ explores identity, family, and the journey from childhood to independence.
‘ Tarzan of the Apes ’—In this classic adventure novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Lord and Lady Greystoke are shipwrecked on Africa’s wild coast. His father and mother die, and their infant son, Tarzan, is orphaned and alone. Adopted and raised by a tribe of great apes, Tarzan grows up learning the ways of the jungle. As he matures, Tarzan discovers his true identity and human heritage and must harmonize the savage world of the jungle with the civilized world. Filled with action, romance, and a captivating exploration of the clash between nature and society, ‘ Tarzan of the Apes ’ remains a classic adventure that has enthralled readers for generations.

The Lasting Impact of The Jungle Book

In over one and a quarter century since Kipling published ‘ The Jungle Book ‘, it has over 500 print editions, 100 audiobooks, and has been translated into over 30 languages. Its popularity has hardly waned since. It has been adapted into diverse media, including live-action movies, animated films, musicals, radio dramas, comic books, audiobooks, and video games.

Several writers have borrowed inspiration from it to write popular and award-winning tales. Robert Heinlein’s 1961 novel, ‘ Stranger in a Strange Land ‘ is a science-fiction adaptation of the story. In this Hugo Award-winning book, the protagonist is raised by Martians. Neil Gaiman’s 2008 novel ‘ The Graveyard Book ‘ gives the idea a morbid twist. An English graveyard replaces the Indian jungle of the original tale. Ghosts stand in for wolves. And in the place of a sly and murderous tiger is a cunning and lethal assassin. This book, too, won the Hugo Award., in addition to the Newbury Award and the Carnegie Medal.

Several comic book issues pay homage to this Kipling classic, including a DC Elsewhere edition where the hero Superman is a feral boy raised by wolves; a Marvel Fanfare series collected in a Marvel Illustrated one-shot; and a Manga Classics version of the story published by UDON Entertainment in 2017.

The stories of ‘ The Jungle Book ‘ have been adapted countless times as animated series and live-action movies for the screen. The favorites are the Mowgli stories, but even ‘The White Seal’ and ‘Rikki Tikki Tavi’ have had films made of them. A few of these are the Chuck Jones cartoon series Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (1975), The White Seal (1975), and Mowgli’s Brothers (1976); the eponymous Disney’s 1967 and its remake in 2016; and a 2010 CGI-animated TV series, The Jungle Book .

Rudyard Kipling and Robert Baden-Powel, the founder of the Scouting Movement, were friends, and Baden-Powell drew inspiration for his movement’s organization from the stories. Not only was the book made an inspirational read for the Cub Scouts, but the leader of a Cub Scout pack is called Akela, in homage to the leader of the Seoonee wolf pack in the Mowgli stories.

The Jungle Book Review

The jungle book historical context, the jungle book quotes, the jungle book characters, the jungle book themes and analysis, the jungle book summary, about ebuka igbokwe.

Ebuka Igbokwe is the founder and former leader of a book club, the Liber Book Club, in 2016 and managed it for four years. Ebuka has also authored several children's books. He shares philosophical insights on his newsletter, Carefree Sketches and has published several short stories on a few literary blogs online.

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Parents' guide to, the jungle book.

Common Sense Says
Parents Say 0 Reviews
Kids Say 4 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Mowgli and more in timeless, suspenseful tales.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 8+?

There's certainly violence in these stories, but most of it takes place "offscre

Humans smoke a Hookah (water pipe) in one of the Mowgli stories.

Animals insult each other in animal terms -- a snake is offended by monkeys that

Any Positive Content?

In itself, The Jungle Book is a classic work of literature, a point of

The Jungle Book features a few different protagonists, but all of the s

Young characters learn a lot from mature ones in this book. Mowgli, especially,

Parents need to know that Rudyard Kipling's book of short stories The Jungle Book is far less whimsical (and musical) than Disney's classic animated film , and it includes stories with different central characters besides Mowgli, the "mancub" raised by wolves and befriended by Baloo the bear. However, in part because of the charming movie, Mowgli's stories are probably the best loved and best known pieces in the collection. These wonderful stories, which alternate with lyrical poems about the characters, depict a complex and sometimes dangerous natural world in which creatures must respect the "ways of the jungle" in order to coexist. Creatures hunt and kill each other in suspenseful scenes, but almost all violent acts happen "offscreen." In one scene, Mowgli uses his wits to trick an adversary into being killed by a stampeding herd of cattle; the animal's death is not shown, but Mowgli is later described skinning the animal. In general, animals talk about killing others for food. The Jungle Book has been made into a number of film and TV versions , and a sequel to the book, The Second Jungle Book , contains more stories about Mowgli and other jungle creatures.

Violence & Scariness

There's certainly violence in these stories, but most of it takes place "offscreen," such as when Rikki Tikki Tavi disappears into a hole, where he apparently kills a cobra, and then emerges victorious; or when Shere Khan is duped by Mowgli, but he's hidden all the while by a herd of cattle. The most overt violence is when Mowgli skins a dead animal, and he "slashed and tore and grunted for an hour." Animals in the stories often talk about killing other animals for food.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Animals insult each other in animal terms -- a snake is offended by monkeys that call him an "earthworm," for example -- but there's no cursing.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Educational Value

In itself, The Jungle Book is a classic work of literature, a point of reference for subsequent works that personify animals. This book also encourages readers to see the natural world from different points of view and gain an understanding of the intricate relationship between animal populations that share the same environment.

Positive Messages

The Jungle Book features a few different protagonists, but all of the stories show the importance of respect for the natural world, and the ways that creatures large and small (even children like Mowgli) can gain respect and success by using their own intelligence and understanding.

Positive Role Models

Young characters learn a lot from mature ones in this book. Mowgli, especially, has a strong role model in Akela the wolf, who teaches through leadership and dignity. Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther also protect Mowgli and teach him the ways of the Jungle animals. In his story, Rikki Tikki Tavi, the brave mongoose, uses intelligence and ruthlessness to best his enemy and protect his family.

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

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What's the Story?

Rudyard Kipling's classic book of short stories THE JUNGLE BOOK contains several pieces about Mowgli, the \"mancub,\" who was taken from his human parents and ends up being raised by a wolf family. The book also includes stories about animal characters: \"Rikki Tikki Tavi,\" about a brave mongoose; \"The White Seal\" about a young seal that swims the Bering Strait; and \"Toomai of the Elephants,\" about a young elephant handler. All of the stories personify animals, and they show the complex relationship between creatures that hunt and fear each other in the wild. In Mowgli's stories, the most well known Jungle Book tales, the young boy grows up surrounded by his wolf family and his loyal friends Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther. Mowgli struggles for acceptance in the wolf pack while trying to learn the ways of the jungle, avoid being tricked by mischievous monkeys, and evade Shere Khan the tiger, who's always lurking in the shadows.

Is It Any Good?

The Jungle Book has fascinated readers for more than 100 years with its unforgettable characters and beautifully rendered animal society. There's loads of action and adventure -- as Mowgli engages in a battle of wits with Shere Khan the tiger, or when Rikki Tikki Tavi protects his family from cobras -- and inspiring messages, too, about respecting the laws of nature and the ways intelligence and understanding can be more effective than brute strength. However, readers who are more familiar with Disney's rendition of The Jungle Book may need some encouragement to appreciate the beauty of the less whimsical original.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how the Mowgli in the book different from the one in Disney's animated Jungle Book. What differences are there in the story?

What's difficult for Mowgli as he tries to fit in to the human village?

Tweens and teens can learn more about Rudyard Kipling's world by watching the PBS series My Boy Jack , starring Daniel Radcliffe as Kipling's son.

Book Details

Author : Rudyard Kipling
Genre : Adventure
Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Science and Nature , Wild Animals
Book type : Fiction
Publisher : Sterling Publishing
Publication date : January 1, 1894
Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 14
Number of pages : 192
Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Audiobook (abridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
Last updated : June 4, 2020

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Review: The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Goodreads | Waterstones

The Jungle Book introduces Mowgli, the human foundling adopted by a family of wolves. It tells of the enmity between him and the tiger Shere Khan, who killed Mowgli’s parents, and of the friendship between the man-cub and Bagheera, the black panther, and Baloo, the sleepy brown bear, who instructs Mowgli in the Laws of the Jungle.

I listened to the audiobook of this one and I absolutely loved it. The one I listened to was narrated by Gildart Jackson, who was brilliant . I’m so glad I listened to the audiobook rather than reading this one as honestly, I feel like it really elevated the story. Jackson breathed so much life into this and really made this such a vibrant story.

This book felt very nostalgic for me, not because of this being a reread (it wasn’t), but I did watch the Disney adaptation as a child and again more recently. The first half of this book specifically felt very nostalgic, especially because of the story following Mowgli and the surrounding characters. The most surprising thing I found in this story was how it only seemed to follow Mowgli for around half of the book. The remainder follows other characters and animals throughout the story, which felt a little strange and jarring for me.

My heart is heavy

Having read other reviews of this book, I have since discovered that this is actually a collection of 7 stories and 7 songs. The only problem with listening to the audiobook is that I didn’t necessarily have a visual distinction between these sections, which meant I felt so thrown by whenever the story changed and began to follow other characters. The other annoying thing about this is how the audiobook chapters stopped randomly in the physical book chapters which meant I found it hard to follow where I was in the print version! Thanks to the Disney adaptation, I think of this story as following mostly or only Mowgli, and I found I didn’t enjoy the other stories as much as I wanted to.

I loved the jungle setting of this and as I mentioned, I loved how much the narration brought this to life and I could really clearly picture the surroundings of the jungle. I found this entire story entertaining and very lyrical, especially as it is interspersed with poem/song. Some of these stories were touching, some were fun, some I just didn’t connect to at all. It was such a mixture!

with the things I do not understand.

Overall, I did enjoy this but not quite as much as I expected and I did find it very up and down. However, I really enjoyed the experience of the audiobook and I would recommend it if you’re going to read this one!

★★★★ 3.5 out of 5 stars

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽