The Jungle Book and Beyond:
Wild Reads for All Ages

by Devon A. Corneal

I grew up with Disney’s 1967 classic, animated movie “The Jungle Book” and still know most of the lyrics to “The Bare Necessities.” Forty-nine years later Disney is back at it, releasing a live-action version of Rudyard Kipling’s incredible story on April 15th. I’ll be there, hoping to be transported beneath the green canopies where Mowgli meets the treacherous Kaa, the protective Bagheera, and the loyal Baloo.

Disney’s ability to turn words on a page into extravagant cinematic experiences is unparalleled, but over time it also means we forget the original words and stories themselves. Before you take your kids to see Mowgli on screen this spring, don’t forget to introduce them to Kipling’s classic — and if that whets your son or daughter’s appetite for jungle stories, we’ve included some other wonderful animal tales to keep them dreaming of swinging from vines and prowling the undergrowth for their next meal.

Are you planning to see the new “Jungle Book” adaptation? Does your family have any favorite jungle-themed reads?