Just So Stories
Rudyard Kipling · 1865–1936 · England
Why it matters
Origin myths told with a straight face and a wink, how the leopard got its spots, how the camel got its hump, each one built for reading aloud. Kipling's purest comic invention, and the most purely delightful thing he ever wrote.
At a glance
short story collectioncomedy
Difficulty 2/10fast pace160 pagesPlayful, rhythmic prose written explicitly for children.
Where to go next
Rudyard Kipling · 1888Plain Tales from the HillsLvl 5Fast paced
Rudyard Kipling · 1894The Jungle BookLvl 3Fast paced
Rudyard Kipling · 1897Captains CourageousLvl 4Fast paced
Rudyard Kipling · 1901KimLvl 5Fast paced
Jack London · 1903The Call of the WildLvl 2Fast paced
Thomas Hardy · 1891Tess of the d'UrbervillesLvl 4Medium pace