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Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Here is the thrilling story of Rikki, a fearless young mongoose who finds himself locked in a life-and-death struggle to protect a boy and his parents from Nag and Nagaina, the two enormous cobras who stalk the gardens outside the family's home in India. Nobel Prize winner Rudyard Kipling's timeless masterpiece has been lovingly passed from one generation of readers to the next. Triumphantly brought to life in stunning watercolors from Caldecott Honor artist Jerry Pinkney, this is a tale that will win the hearts of young and old alike.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1894
70 people are currently reading
4323 people want to read
About the author
Rudyard Kipling
6,973 books3,622 followersJoseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 668 reviews
December 15, 2019
This is a longer story that Jerry illustrated beautifully. The story, written by Rudyard Kipling, is about a Mongoose name Rikki-Tikki Tavi and apparently, mongooses are campion snake killers, so if you live in India, this would be a great animal to have around.
A Mongoose is washed downstream one day and found by a family where it becomes part of the family. There is a family of cobras also living in the yard that have a plan to kill off the people and the Mongoose is there to stop them in their tracks. The Mongoose is a very interesting animal and this story makes me so curious about it. How cool that a specials is designed just to kill deadly snakes. That’s amazing. My parents need one of these down in copperhead territory. Why doesn’t everyone have one of these in their yard?
Anyway, it was a good story. The nephew was amazed by the animal. He kept asking if a mongoose was real and I told him it was a real thing. “Can they really kill snakes?” It’s looks that way, I said. He wants a mongoose now. He thinks they are supercool the way they move and wiggle waiting for a snake. He gave this 4 stars. He got really wiggly during the long story, but he liked it.
A Mongoose is washed downstream one day and found by a family where it becomes part of the family. There is a family of cobras also living in the yard that have a plan to kill off the people and the Mongoose is there to stop them in their tracks. The Mongoose is a very interesting animal and this story makes me so curious about it. How cool that a specials is designed just to kill deadly snakes. That’s amazing. My parents need one of these down in copperhead territory. Why doesn’t everyone have one of these in their yard?
Anyway, it was a good story. The nephew was amazed by the animal. He kept asking if a mongoose was real and I told him it was a real thing. “Can they really kill snakes?” It’s looks that way, I said. He wants a mongoose now. He thinks they are supercool the way they move and wiggle waiting for a snake. He gave this 4 stars. He got really wiggly during the long story, but he liked it.
July 12, 2017
This is a pretty good short story by Rudyard Kipling about a mongoose named Rikki-Tikki-Tavi who saves his new family from two evil King Cobras. I saw the animated film of this a while back and it was a pretty good adaptation of the short story. Definitely check this short story out here at this link and enjoy! This is one of the breakfast club buddy reads at the Reading for Pleasure book club on goodreads. http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~mongoose/rtt.html
October 22, 2022
It's a classic story told for over a century. Good vs. evil. Who will triumph? The two cobras, Nag and Nagina with 25 eggs to protect? Or Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the mongoose, who has been rescued by Teddy and his parents. You can't help but hold your breath as one after another, the snakes make their moves. The battle is on. Spoiler alert: they are no match for our hero, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Love Jerry Pinkney's award-winning style and his version of the story hits all the high notes. Kids will want to hear this story again and again. Then when they are older they can read the original.
August 24, 2019
A delightful, endearing yet suspenseful book for all ages! One has to root for Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, that lovable mongoose! Love the illustrations as well! I highly recommend this book to read aloud to young children!
December 7, 2015
“The motto of all the mongoose family is, "Run and find out," and Rikki-tikki was a true mongoose.”
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is Kipling's classic and it's originally part of The Jungle Book. This heart-warming story is about an expat family living in India and the a courageous mongoose called Rikki who guards the family from two king cobras in the garden. The plot, although simplistic, is gripping, bloody and at times frighting (for children) and yet it's exhilarating to watch the little mongoose engage in an epic death battle with the King Cobra .
I read Rikki-Tikki-Tavi along with The Jungle Book many years ago and really enjoyed it. Reading books by authors who are long dead is a bit like time travelling. You see an intimate portrait of long gone people, cultures and places preserved through stories.
You also engage with non PC old world ideas and thoughts in Kipling's stories but you have to take some of the classics with a grain of salt. The stories/ideas are filtered through the history of the time/place and the sensibilities and prejudice of the author but that makes it even more intriguing as you get a small glimpse of their world and personality.
No doubt Rudyard Kipling is man of his time and yet he is a truly amazing story teller.
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is Kipling's classic and it's originally part of The Jungle Book. This heart-warming story is about an expat family living in India and the a courageous mongoose called Rikki who guards the family from two king cobras in the garden. The plot, although simplistic, is gripping, bloody and at times frighting (for children) and yet it's exhilarating to watch the little mongoose engage in an epic death battle with the King Cobra .
I read Rikki-Tikki-Tavi along with The Jungle Book many years ago and really enjoyed it. Reading books by authors who are long dead is a bit like time travelling. You see an intimate portrait of long gone people, cultures and places preserved through stories.
You also engage with non PC old world ideas and thoughts in Kipling's stories but you have to take some of the classics with a grain of salt. The stories/ideas are filtered through the history of the time/place and the sensibilities and prejudice of the author but that makes it even more intriguing as you get a small glimpse of their world and personality.
No doubt Rudyard Kipling is man of his time and yet he is a truly amazing story teller.
November 20, 2008
Are you serious, this is the book that made me a book nerd. The cobra's were so scary to me when my mother would read this book to me. Oh and the movie, even scarier with those glowing cobra emblems on their heads. Poor ricki, so brave.
October 13, 2010
Well, I can't say how much I actually "enjoyed" this story but it was well told. This is the story of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a brave mongoose who protects an English family in India by waging war with the cobras in the garden. The animals in the story are vibrant characters and I like that a few divergent points of view are raised (such as, if the mongoose eats cobra eggs, why is it not fair for the cobras to eat bird eggs; if a mother bird wants to protect her babies, why shouldn't a mother cobra try to protect hers) but overall it was just a tad violent for my taste. I'm not a huge lover of snakes, and have lived with my share of snake-danger since we have rattlesnakes in our neighborhood (shudder!) and I know all animals aren't vegetarian, but I still don't really like to read about it. Also, while I have enjoyed Pinkney's illustrations in other books, they just didn't really win me over here for some reason... Still, I'm glad to have met the cunning, brave and loyal Rikki-Tikki-Tavi!
September 16, 2020
This is a short story about a mongoose that becomes a family pet. It tells about a time that this mongoose protects the family from poisonous snakes. This story is told thru the eyes of the mongoose.
This was a pleasant surprise that I really enjoyed. I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed every second of it. If you have ever owned a family pet you know of a love without any conditions and that is on display here as the mongoose is willing to sacrifice his life for his family. Even though it is a short story the author conveys the danger from the snakes and I believed the family was in danger. We get to meet a few eccentric animal characters that I enjoyed. This book gave me serious Watership Down vibes and that is high praise as I love that book.
This book is meant for children but it will be enjoyed by people of all ages. One of the better short stories that I have read and makes me want to go out and get a mongoose for a pet.
This was a pleasant surprise that I really enjoyed. I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed every second of it. If you have ever owned a family pet you know of a love without any conditions and that is on display here as the mongoose is willing to sacrifice his life for his family. Even though it is a short story the author conveys the danger from the snakes and I believed the family was in danger. We get to meet a few eccentric animal characters that I enjoyed. This book gave me serious Watership Down vibes and that is high praise as I love that book.
This book is meant for children but it will be enjoyed by people of all ages. One of the better short stories that I have read and makes me want to go out and get a mongoose for a pet.
January 1, 2015
Now, I have actually gotten into the story of “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” when I was little through Chuck Jones’ classic cartoon and I must say that I still enjoyed that cartoon to this very day. So, when I finally picked up this book of “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi,” which this version has illustrations by none other than Jerry Pinkney, I was absolutely blown away by how faithful this story was to the original tale and to the Chuck Jones cartoon!
The story starts off with a small mongoose named Rikki-Tikki-Tavi being found by an English family living in India after he was washed away from his home when a summer flood hits. It was then that Rikki-Tikki-Tavi found a new home with this English family and became a close companion with the family’s son, Teddy. But, when Rikki-Tikki-Tavi discovers that there were two snakes named Nag and Nagaina in the garden and that they were planning on killing the entire English family in order to take over the garden for themselves, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi will do anything to protect the English family from the clutches of Nag and Nagaina!
I have always enjoyed the story of “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” ever since I was a child and reading this classic tale that has illustrations by Jerry Pinkney definitely added more depth to this story than what I was usually used to. Rudyard Kipling has done a brilliant job at writing this story as this story is full of adventure, intense moments and heartwarming moments, especially the moments shared between Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and the English family as it shows that Rikki-Tikki-Tavi truly does care about the family and is willing to do anything to protect them from harm. I also loved how villainous both Nag and Nagaina are as their plan to kill off the entire family to take over the garden was truly vicious and it showed how far they were willing to go to take the garden for themselves. Jerry Pinkney’s artwork is as usual gorgeous to look at as all of the characters look truly realistic, especially of the images of the English family and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi as they really bring out so much realism to this story.
Parents should know that there are some scary moments in this book, especially concerning Nag and Nagaina and their plan in killing off the entire family to take over the garden. Children who are scared of snakes in general might feel a bit uncomfortable in reading this book, especially since the images of the snakes look pretty realistic and the fact that they keep threatening the family would scare small children.
Overall, “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” is a truly remarkable tale for anyone who is a huge fan of Rudyard Kipling’s works and who loves reading books about India and mongooses! I would recommend this book to children ages seven and up since the scenes with the snakes might be too frightening for some children and the length of the book might be too tiresome for some small children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
October 30, 2018
In life, we all have a part to play, and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi’s job is to watch over the garden of the family he lives with.🧐
March 3, 2018
Another beloved story of my childhood that stands up to the test of time. I still love Rikki Tikki Tavi after all this time. Having now reread it as an adult, I'm not sure how I wasn't terrified reading it when I was young. Those snakes are scary!
Oh, and now I want a pet mongoose!
Oh, and now I want a pet mongoose!
September 30, 2011
Far less well known than "The Jungle Book", but in my opinion, it is a much better story.
August 9, 2016
Suitable and appealing for both young and old. Quite beautiful.
September 22, 2014
I just thought it was boring. The climax was o.k. The words weren't strong. The story has a few strength. Not a lot. I mostly found weakness. I wouldn't continue this if it was a series. The story wasn't really interesting to me because it was too plain. I already got TIRED of it at the 1ST PAGE. Plus, it was confusing. What mostly confused me was the names. I kept getting confused on who the main enemy was. Nothing really made it interesting. I think the conflict was boring. It's just a fight between too animals. That happens everyday. Plus it's kind of cheesy. The author could have done better. If you love books with animals fighting, this book is for you.
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September 16, 2014
This my book review for the short story Rikki-Tikki-Tavi By Rudyard Kipling.First off, There are a number of important Literary devices in this short story.
The book was okay wasn't really all for me maybe for others.it could have been better in all some muskrat got washed up saved by a family and kills the snakes in the family's garden.In the short story of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi if this was a series of books i maybe would read if the author was different and the story was maybe a adventure book or they mixed it up and had like si-fi or mystery.
The book was okay wasn't really all for me maybe for others.it could have been better in all some muskrat got washed up saved by a family and kills the snakes in the family's garden.In the short story of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi if this was a series of books i maybe would read if the author was different and the story was maybe a adventure book or they mixed it up and had like si-fi or mystery.
February 18, 2018
This story takes all of maybe 20 minutes to read, so the review really isn't going to say a lot. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is about a mongoose who is taken in by a small family in India, and the consequential conflict between the cobras in the garden and himself.
This story is obviously meant for young children, perhaps to be read by a parent to a young child. My rating reflects the opinion of a far younger me. The story is quirky, yet serious. It introduces new words into a child's language in a subtle way. Not only was it enjoyable, but it had strong educational merit.
This story is obviously meant for young children, perhaps to be read by a parent to a young child. My rating reflects the opinion of a far younger me. The story is quirky, yet serious. It introduces new words into a child's language in a subtle way. Not only was it enjoyable, but it had strong educational merit.
September 2, 2016
This is my book review for the short story Rikki Tikki Tavi by Rudyard Kipling. In this short story, lots of the dialogue you will find is personification. For example, the characters who are animals and can not think like normal humans, use dialogue that we are using in our everyday life. Nag and Nagaina are kind of like the garden bullies. They are 2 vey strong and powerful cobras. Nagaina and Rikki Tikki get into a fight and Nagaina drags him into her snake hole underground.
September 16, 2014
What i think of Rikki tikki tavi,I thought it was a ok book it showed me that how strong mongoose are.Also it showed me how mongoose can protect anybody but Rikki tikki protected his family and his garden.I would have never thought that mongoose would have been scared of snakes! it is interesting that mongoose can beat snakes when they fight.
July 24, 2015
I've read this book before of course....first time was way back in the 70's! (Old)
Just putting it in my Kid folder in order to remind me to read it to my daughter. Can't wait to read the parts of the ssssssssssssnake....
Just putting it in my Kid folder in order to remind me to read it to my daughter. Can't wait to read the parts of the ssssssssssssnake....
April 10, 2020
Okay, wait a second....
I have to read this story for school, and it seems like a cute little children's story. And at times, it is.
But I'm supposed to look at how Kipling discussed British Imperialism through this story (and also in "The White Man's Burden") and I'm realizing... it's a bit more messed up than I realized.
It's no secret that Kipling thoroughly encouraged British Imperialism back in like...the 1890s. He tried to make it a bit more bite-sized for his child audience, but I don't think that made it okay.
In Rikki Tikki Tavi the theme of Imperialism is tougher to find at first glance since it is not so boldly titled "White Man’s Burden” and centers around a curious mongoose, but it still pops up here and there.
Rikki-tikki, an Indian mongoose, goes to live with a white family who saves his life. He is delighted to be with them “because every well-brought-up mongoose always hopes to be a house-mongoose some day…and Rikki-tikki’s mother…had carefully told Rikki what to do if ever he came across white men.”
In other words, Rikki is pretty "lucky" to be rescued by a white family. Bits of old British living are revered and protected as he “kept that garden as a mongoose should keep it…till never a cobra dared show its head inside the walls.”
At times, “Rikki Tikki Tavi” is just a cute children’s story celebrating courage and compassion, but the thematical roots grow deeper than that. Rikki protects Teddy and his family who saved him. A mutually loving relationship is not bad (of course)—but with the topic of Imperialism, if Kipling was trying to emphasize that white men were the saviors of Indian people who in turn needed to protect and save them and their culture, then that was a sign of his misguided prejudice.
“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” could just be a harrowing story of a mongoose overcoming wicked snakes, but it could also be a dark interpretation of Kipling’s ideal happy British Imperialism.
I have to read this story for school, and it seems like a cute little children's story. And at times, it is.
But I'm supposed to look at how Kipling discussed British Imperialism through this story (and also in "The White Man's Burden") and I'm realizing... it's a bit more messed up than I realized.
It's no secret that Kipling thoroughly encouraged British Imperialism back in like...the 1890s. He tried to make it a bit more bite-sized for his child audience, but I don't think that made it okay.
In Rikki Tikki Tavi the theme of Imperialism is tougher to find at first glance since it is not so boldly titled "White Man’s Burden” and centers around a curious mongoose, but it still pops up here and there.
Rikki-tikki, an Indian mongoose, goes to live with a white family who saves his life. He is delighted to be with them “because every well-brought-up mongoose always hopes to be a house-mongoose some day…and Rikki-tikki’s mother…had carefully told Rikki what to do if ever he came across white men.”
In other words, Rikki is pretty "lucky" to be rescued by a white family. Bits of old British living are revered and protected as he “kept that garden as a mongoose should keep it…till never a cobra dared show its head inside the walls.”
At times, “Rikki Tikki Tavi” is just a cute children’s story celebrating courage and compassion, but the thematical roots grow deeper than that. Rikki protects Teddy and his family who saved him. A mutually loving relationship is not bad (of course)—but with the topic of Imperialism, if Kipling was trying to emphasize that white men were the saviors of Indian people who in turn needed to protect and save them and their culture, then that was a sign of his misguided prejudice.
“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” could just be a harrowing story of a mongoose overcoming wicked snakes, but it could also be a dark interpretation of Kipling’s ideal happy British Imperialism.
February 15, 2024
A simple retelling of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi with beautiful illustrations.
September 22, 2014
The story by Rudyard Kipling is an average book.Personification is in this book because they use the animals like Rikki Tikki Tavi as a mongoose talking and like Nag the king cobra talking back to him. Rikki Tikki had an internal conflict of be scared of killing Nag. While the external conflict was protecting the garden from the cobras. The climax of this story was when Rikki Tikki finally killed the monstrous Nag. The antagonist are Nag, Nagiana, and Karait. The protagonist are of course Rikki Tikki, Darzze and his wife, and lastly Teddy and his family. Foreshadowing in this story was when Rikki Tikki heard them talking about a plan the kill the family.
September 19, 2014
this is my review on Rikki Tikki Tavi by rudyyard kippling.i think the book was very good and it had many different details like personification the animals could talk like real people but they still had animal like charecteristics like the cobra swayed to and fro to strike they realy do that bbut the bird can not resaky taklk obiviously the author creates a reaky gooood versionn of suspense and kit was an intser esting topic a cobra and a mongoose.
September 24, 2014
i think the story was alright and it was very easy to keep up with. The personification was great. It is more than one hundred years old and it is still loved by many children today! I think that this is a book that anybody and everybody should read! I believe that it is one of the oldest and most entertaining children's books. It was just a great book!
May 26, 2015
This my book review for the short story Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling. The book was a good book but i wish it continued on it was very ineresting and fun to read> Rikki Tikki is the hero of the garden and saved his family. He killed the villians and he was always the target of them but he fought them to become the bst he could be.
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July 23, 2018I love that the sound the animal makes is Rikki Tikki, Rikki Tikki. I'd think that a mongoose would be just as apt to bite as a snake but I don't really know that much about those animals. The den of cobra eggs in the garden gave me the shivers.
February 17, 2021
I remember reading this story ages ago, it was in my school English textbook. It was always a real treat to find stories I enjoyed in these English/literature textbooks, lol. I kinda felt a bit bad for Nag and Nagaina though, cobras do what cobras do.
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October 20, 2018Read this in school. Can't remember when!
September 3, 2024
Watership Down anyone? No rabbits here.
One of those animal stories about fundamental survival and ferocity in the kingdom. A savagery kids can appreciate and are fascinated by. The animals also speak to one another as if friends and natural enemies. And true to form surprisingly oblivious.
One of those animal stories about fundamental survival and ferocity in the kingdom. A savagery kids can appreciate and are fascinated by. The animals also speak to one another as if friends and natural enemies. And true to form surprisingly oblivious.
April 19, 2022
Here’s one of Rudyard Kipling’s tales of India adapted for picture book. It’s truly engaging and even though it’s wordy, your children are sure to stay focused throughout; particularly through nature’s battle scenes!
An English family in India adopts a young mongoose. The wise father knows that mongoose hunt and eat the deadly snakes that roam the garden, and so not only will Rikki-Tikki be a fun pet, but a protector.
Ages: 3 - 12
An English family in India adopts a young mongoose. The wise father knows that mongoose hunt and eat the deadly snakes that roam the garden, and so not only will Rikki-Tikki be a fun pet, but a protector.
Ages: 3 - 12
Displaying 1 - 30 of 668 reviews