Travel into the imaginative world of Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories through a collection of short plays rewritten in the author’s own words for children. These animal origin tales are full of action, repetition, and strong character voices, making them accessible and enjoyable to perform for ages 5–11.
Perfect for school performances, assemblies, classroom drama, reader’s theatre, group reading, after-school clubs, and shared reading at home, the scripts are designed to be easy to rehearse and simple to stage. With flexible casting, supportive stage directions, and minimal props, you can involve a whole class or a small group. A Narrator/Storyteller role helps mixed-ability readers take part confidently and keeps the story moving.
Includes favourites such as:
How the Camel Got His Hump
How the Elephant Got His Trunk
How the Leopard Got His Spots
The Cat That Walked by Himself
The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo
and more.
Each play supports:
Performance skills through short, achievable scripts with clear structure
Speaking and listening through dialogue, turn taking, and expressive delivery
Oral language development through repetition, rhythm, and storytelling vocabulary
Reading fluency and comprehension through reader’s theatre style shared reading
Character and movement through animal physicality, voice, and simple staging
Creativity and imagination through playful interpretation and group play
Collaboration through rehearsal routines and shared roles
Inclusion with flexible casting and a Narrator role for mixed reading levels
Low-prep delivery with minimal props and straightforward staging
A practical way to bring Kipling-inspired stories into literacy and drama while giving children roles they can enjoy and perform with confidence.
Julie Meighan, based in Cork, Ireland, is a play therapist, lecturer, author, and blogger. As a lecturer at Munster Technological University, she specializes in drama education within the Early Years programme. Julie runs the blog https: //dramastartbooks.com, focusing on creative arts and drama. She has authored numerous acclaimed books on drama, translated into several languages. Julie is a sought-after speaker, delivering engaging workshops and training globally on play therapy and creative arts, emphasizing practical approaches to integrating drama into education.