Rudyard Kipling - Just So Stories - 1903

Rudyard Kipling was a British writer and poet born in 1865 in Bombay, whose early experiences in India shaped much of his imagination and narrative style. He became one of the most widely read authors of his time, known for works such as The Jungle Book, Kim, and his many poems, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907, becoming the youngest laureate up to that point. His writing often blends adventure, humor, moral reflection, and a vivid sense of place, though his work is also tied to the perspectives and assumptions of British imperial culture, which continue to spark discussion today. Over the years his influence has extended far beyond his own era, inspiring adaptations across film, theatre, and radio. Despite the controversies surrounding aspects of his worldview, his craftsmanship, narrative flair, and command of language continue to secure his place in literary history.

Just So Stories for Little Children, first published in 1902, is a collection of whimsical origin tales that explain how various animals acquired their distinctive features, such as how the leopard got its spots or how the camel got its hump. Kipling originally created these stories for his daughter Josephine, and their playful rhythms, inventive language, and affectionate tone reflect that intimate purpose. Each tale mixes fantasy, gentle humor, and a storyteller’s voice that feels almost spoken aloud, making the collection enduringly popular as children’s literature while also displaying Kipling’s gift for imaginative world-building. The stories are enriched by Kipling’s own illustrations, which deepen the sense of wonder and help readers visualize the imaginative transformations he describes. Across generations the book has remained a favorite for reading aloud, valued as much for its musical prose as for its sheer inventiveness.

Rudyard Kipling
Just so stories for little children
Macmillan, London, 1903
219, [5] pages : illustrations, plates ; 20 cm

Hardcover binding, red cloth with gilt decoration on front board + title and author's name on spine. Bookseller (?) sticker on end paper. Corners slightly rounded. Some shelf wear and spine sun-faded. Illustrations are bright and the text clear.

.PS: I'll ship the book carefully packaged in bubble wrap, via An Post, the Irish Postal Service ("Registered Post, Tracking & Insurance included to protect your valuable items"). I will provide the tracking number once dispatched.