Synopsis
A full-cast dramatisation of Kipling's classic animal adventure starring Eartha Kitt. Rudyard Kipling's famous tale tells the story of Mowgli, the 'man-cub' rescued from the tiger Shere Khan and adopted by a wolf pack. As he grows up, Mowgli learns the ways of the jungle from Baloo the bear, Bagheera the black panther and Kaa the rock python. His life is full of adventure with the jungle creatures, but soon the time comes when he is forced to leave and take his place among his own people. A kind woman looks after Mowgli but she can't protect him from the superstitious villagers who believe his friendship with wolves is the result ofsorcery. Mowgli's only escape is to return to the jungle. But even the jungle has become a dangerous place. This rich and entertaining dramatisation skilfully blends words with jungle sounds and music and stars Eartha Kitt as Kaa, Freddie Jones as Baloo, Jonathan Hyde as Bagheera and Nisha K. Mayer as Mowgli.
Children's Literature
Though these marvelous tales were written in Victorian times, they are still worthy of being read and enjoyed by today's youngsters. Fantasy is currently very popular with young readers and here are stories in this genre that are truly excellent. Father Wolf finds the baby Mowgli in the jungle. After being rescued from the terrible tiger, Shere Khan, he is taken in by the wolf pack and raised as one of them. Baloo the bear and Bhageera the panther also help rear Mowgli. Another fascinating tale tells of Kotick, a rare white seal who searches for a safe haven from the seal hunters. How elephants dance is recounted in "Toomai of the Elephants." The most well known of the tales is "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi." He is a mongoose who saves a boy named Teddy and his family from being killed by a pair of deadly cobras named Nag and Nagaina. This edition is enhanced with greatly detailed black and white illustrations that depict exciting events in most of the stories. All children should have access to this classic book, so purchase is suggested if a copy is not already in the collection. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth