The Jungle Book

Like many dramatizations of classic literature, this BBC production of THE JUNGLE BOOK is best enjoyed by listeners who have already experienced the book in its entirety. The excerpts included, however, are surprisingly cohesive and easy to follow despite their brevity. Each animal's voice--from the wolf Akela to the python Kaa--seems somehow plausible, and the decision to use a female narrator for the boy, Mowgli, turns out to be entirely successful. The braying, howling, hooting, and other jungle sounds do get a bit silly, but they're perhaps unavoidable in this story. Far more effective as background are the well-chosen selections of Indian music that evoke the setting of Kipling's tales. D.B. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

December 4, 2017
Adapted by Powell from Kipling’s The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book, this interactive entry in the Seek and Find Classics series invites readers to take part in the unfolding story. In more than a dozen seek-and-find scenes keyed to significant moments in the plot, children are asked to find 10 objects and animals (and Mowgli, of course) in Frenna’s cinematic cartoons. The retro vibe of her artwork at times recalls the Disney adaptation but still offers a distinctive spin on the characters and drama of the tales. Also available: Alice in Wonderland. Ages 8–up.