Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories

How the Camel Got His Hump

A wildly imaginative tale about how the camel's hump came to be. One of many explanatory tales in the "Just So Stories" collection by Rudyard Kipling.

How the First Letter Was Written

Rudyard Kipling tells this humorous tale of the first written letter. Your child might find a new appreciation for reading and writing after hearing this story.

How the Leopard Got His Spots

A creative and almost darwinian tale of how the leopard got his spotted coat of fur, from Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.

How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin

A rude and mean-spirited rhino gets special treatment in this short story by Rudyard Kipling. As with most of the Just So Stories, this one cries out for illustration. You might encourage your child to draw some pictures to go along with the story.

How the Whale Got His Throat

The gluttonous whale finds trouble when taking advice from a small but clever fish.

The Beginning of the Armadillos

Rudyard Kipling tells the tale of two slow-moving but fast-thinking friends and their encounter with the fast-moving but slow-thinking Jaguar.

The Cat That Walked By Himself

A wonderful tale by Rudyard Kipling with an entertaining explanation for why cats are the way they are.

The Crab That Played With The Sea

Curious about the beginning of the earth and all the animals that roamed it? In Rudyard Kipling's imagination, a naughty crab, an observant little girl and a clever magician all play a part in the creation of our planet.

The Elephant's Child

Curiousity may have killed the cat, but you should see what it did to the elephant!

The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo

A very proud and demanding kangaroo learns first hand the meaning behind the old adage "be careful what you wish for"!