The Wind in the Willows (Vintage Childrens Classics)

Famous, it certainly is.

It is currently available in well over 50 editions in English: Milne and Alan Bennett , films, picture books with or without stickers , pop-up books, knitting patterns, graphic novels and scholarly annotated editions. Nor is it an animal story: Mole and his Mates. If so, then these are animals who drink and smoke, own houses, drive and steal cars, row boats, escape from jail, yearn for gastronomic nights in Italy, eat ham and eggs for breakfast and write poetry—while Toad combs his hair, and the Mole has a black velvet smoking-jacket.

Of course, very occasionally they behave like animals. Mole, in the midst of thoroughly human spring-cleaning, briefly turns into a mole, scrabbling and scrooging his way to the surface; the aristocratic Otter, languidly enjoying a riverbank picnic which includes cold tongue, pickled gherkins and lemonade suddenly turns into an otter and swallows a passing mayfly. But for the most part, the book is about a group of well-off, leisured English gentlemen.

Even more importantly, the book hardly ever addresses itself to an audience of children: Like all these books, The Wind in the Willows grew in the writing and ended up as something quite different from, and something much more complex than, a bedtime story. This is because and this also accounts for its relative lack of international success its landscapes and cultural references are deeply embedded in Edwardian England—whereas Alice moves in a detached world of fantasy, and the many period references in that book are hidden in the background.

Into which genre does it fit?

• The war of tears.
• Featured Post.
• Trapped by the Wolf Pack (bbw, werewolf menage).

Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Showing of 18 reviews. Top Reviews Most recent Top Reviews. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase.

Over a century later, and it's still great. Any age can pick this up or have it read to them. A light and poignant look at friendships and human values. It also delves into the almost mystical with this edition including the often excluded chapter "The piper at the gates of dawn". From the feverishly poetic longings of Ratty, the introspective Mole, the conceited pomp of Toad or antisocial Badger with a heart of gold; this story can also serve as a study in the human condition, but largely deals with what it means to have adventure and friends to share them with.

This book is like an old friend, fun to be around and great to get together with!

Product description

My parents were great storytellers and when we were kids, every night before bed either Mum or Dad would read read one chapter of a book to us - TWITW was one of my all time favourites and I have passed my paper book version to my daughter to read to her daughter. This book never loses its magic to transport the listener to another time and place and catch up with old friends like Ratty, Mole, Badger and of course the unforgettable Mr Toad!!

I remember as a child being enchanted by this story and the poetic telling and value character development that has stayed with me over the years. I wanted to pass this onto my grandchildren. The hidden strength of Mole, the soundness of Ratty, the leadership and strength of Badger, the consequences of being a follower of fashion and fun like Toad, the perfidy of the weasels and the denizens of the Wild Wood. So formative and fun filled for children and adult alike.

Read properly to or by your grandchildren this saga will stay with them for life. Once again a trip down memory lane. Kenneth Grahame paints pictures with his words. Toady and ratty and their friends have mad cap adventures, mostly instigated by Toad who resides in Toad Hall while Ratty lives in his home in the river bank. Toad and Ratty with their friends get up to all sorts of mischief but Toad the leader of their merry frolics only manages to avoid being imprisoned by Ratty and co who go along to keep Toad out of trouble. Full of near escapes, and lots of mischief.

Enjoyable from the beginning to the end. The characters may be animals, but adults should read it as well as children. A book for everyone. Best book ever written for children. Teaches adventure, comeraderie and love of animals and nature.