Tells the story of the man-cub Mowgli who is raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, guided by his mentors Baloo the bear, Bagheera the black panther and the ancient python Kaa, and who confronts his arch-enemy Shere Khan the tiger. This book features Mowgli's adventures that are juxtaposed with other animal stories set in the British Empire.

Rudyard Kipling's best-loved book, full of timeless and beloved tales of adventure

The story of Mowgli, a man-cub who is brought up by wolves in the jungles of Central India, is one of the greatest literary myths ever created. As he embarks on a series of thrilling escapades, Mowgli encounters such unforgettable creatures as the bear Baloo, the graceful black panther Bagheera, and Shere Khan, the tiger with blazing eyes. Other animal stories range from the dramatic battle between good and evil in "Rikki-tikki-tavi" to the macabre comedy "The Undertakers." With The Jungle Books, Kipling drew on ancient beast fables, Buddhist philosophy, and memories of his Anglo-Indian youth to create a rich, symbolic portrait of man and nature, and an eternal classic of childhood.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

By the Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature