Into the Jungle: Stories for Mowgli

Reviewed by: Kristin Taylor - Biddeford High School, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 9, 2018

Review

Katherine Rundell has created a wonderful prequel for a classic tale "The Jungle Book" by Kipling and the illustrations are breath takenly done.

Mowgli is running from his mother because he thinks that she found out what he has done to the owl's nest. So in his escape, he runs into Baloo, Kaa and Bagheera, just to mention a few of the beloved characters. In these not so chance meetings, Mowgli begs for a story where each that are told to Mowgli are the back stories to all of the characters -- how his mother was a fierce fighter, before she became a mother. How Bagheera and his sister lived in cages until their escape and how Kaa, the snake, became the greatest hypnotist of all times.

Each story talks of loss, family and friends, importance of community and especially of being able to see past differences for the greater good. These are stories that can be and should be read with the family. Meant for all ages and is promised to bring back the memories of reading "The Jungle" as a child.

The illustrations are spectacular and portray the story being told. They are pen and ink type sketches that are filled in with soft colors that compliment the text.

Overall Book Score: excellent