I have read this book together with my almost 7 years old daughter, let’s say she has read it to me...
The stories are a bit odd, but the friendship between the mouse, the badger and the mole is nice.... my daughter did not like the toad at all, classic character typical of our days " all pretensions and rights but no duty"
I found no particularly important meaning in these stories, except the friendship that binds this little gang, still accepting the Toad, despite all the trouble combined...
We would only give two stars, but since we took the book with Inga Moore’s beautiful and dreamy illustrations we rounded it up to 3. I overestimated, and by a lot, this book. Too bad!!











Ho letto questo libro insieme alla mia bambina di quasi 7 anni, diciamo che lei l'ho ha letto a me....
le storie sono un pò strampalate, ma è carina l'amicizia tra il topo, il tasso e la talpa.... a mia figlia non è piaciuto per niente il Rospo, classico personaggio tipico dei nostri giorni " tutte pretese e diritti ma nessun dovere"
non ho trovato nessun significato particolarmente importante in queste storie, se non l'amicizia che lega questa piccola banda, accettando ancora Rospo, nonostante tutti i guai combinati...
Avremmo dato solo due stelline, ma dato che abbiamo preso l'edizione con le illustrazioni stupende e sognanti di Inga Moore abbiamo arrotondato a 3. Ho sopravvalutato, e di molto, questo libro. Peccato!!

This is an absolute classic that will delight readers of all ages.

Mr Mole decides to expand his horizons and visit the riverbank where he meets The Water Rat, Mr Badger, Mr Otter, and Mr Toad.

Toad lives at Toad Hall and inherited his wealth from his father. Toad lacks humility and assumes he can do what he can when he can without consideration for others. He has an obsession with motor cars and never seems to have passed his test as he writes them off on a regular basis. Eventually he ends up in prison for stealing a car, crashing it, and being cheeky to the police. He gets 20 years.

Mr Mole is a very solid fellow who gets along with everyone as does Ratty. Badger is a pillar of the community and hospitable to visitors who drop in on a cold and snowy night. Otter loses one of his pups but in a chapter called "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" - so that's where Pink Floyd obtained the name of their album - Rat and Mole recove the baby otter (called Portly) and return him to his father.

Toad escapes and takes a circuitious route home only to find Toad Hall occupied by the creatures of the Wildwood - stoats, ferrets, and weasels - can Badger, Rat, and Mole help Toad recover his home and will Toad appreciate their efforts if they do?

Read this book to find out. Recommended.

Not sure why I had never read The Wind in the Willows during childhood but I am catching up now. I love these Edwardian era children's stories set in a blissful English country idyll. Reading this is such a relaxing experience, it is all picnics on the riverbank and suppers around warm firesides.

I know that Toad is one of the most beloved of characters but I was very drawn to the Badger and his need for solitude in his well appointed and well hidden home in The Wild Woods.

It is interesting how in tune with nature this writing is, some of the most memorable parts for me were Grahame's description of early morning on the river and the changing seasons. It is such a warm hug of a book and I especially appreciated reading this beautiful Folio edition illustrated by Charles van Sandwykit.

This book was written in 1908, when the world was being shaken by the newly self-confident masses. Women were propagandising for the vote; the Irish were demanding Home Rule; the Trade Unions were showing their strength. Socialism theatened. A spectre was haunting Europe, and particularly England.

Wind in the Willows is an elegant parable about class struggle, about the dangers of decadant country-house-living in the face of powerful revolutionary forces.

There are maybe four generations in the story. There is the young man Ratty, a gentle sort of chap who spends his time messing about in boats. He is joined by the younger, less experienced Mole. Mole may even be petty-bourgeois, but he proves himself to be stout-hearted for all that. Mr Toad, however, has come into his inheritance, and lives in his country house. Toad is an irresponsible figure, taking up foolish hobbies of which, in the story, the most fateful is the motor car. The older man is Badger, and it is he that casts cold water on this irresponsibility.

But where is all this irresponsiblity going to lead? Outside this cosy comfortable setting, lie the dangerous forces in the Wild Wood. Mr Toad, besotted by his motor car, is arrested and sent to gaol. His defences down, his house is quickly occupied by the weasles and stoats who live in the Wild Wood.

To the rescue comes Mr Badger, who is wise enough to see that if Toad is to regain his valuable property, he must forsake idleness and frivolity and stand up to the people of the Wild Wood. So the band of gentlemanly heroes take up arms and re-establish the shaken social order.

"We shall creep out quietly into the butler's pantry -", cried the Toad,

"- with our pistols and swords and sticks - ", shouted the Rat,

"- and rush in upon them -", said the Badger,

"- and whack 'em and whack 'em and whack 'em - ", cried the Toad in ecstasy.

This is, then, a cautionary tale, a warning to the propertied classes to take up, if necessary, arms against the lower classes and to stop living lives of decadent indolence.

I found Wind in the Willows to be one of those rare books that contains true joy. Several times since I have moved in with the Kenyons, I have gotten in a disagreement with another opinionated member of the household over the value of "dark" literature versus "light" literature. "It is so easy to write about dark things," she might say. "Why don't we focus on happiness?" I think when most people read a "happy" story, they find it shallow, unrealistic, and boorish since, as any random perusal of the news will reveal, a lot of bad stuff happens in the world! Could we accept Hamlet and his uncle making up, "hugging it out," if you will, instead of destroying each other? This ending would not be consistent with human nature, and although "realism" does not have to be included on the list of requirements for a good book, a great literary work must be true to human nature. By the same token, I think we often make the mistake of calling "dark" art good simply because it is dark. "Ooh, did you see that new band? They wear black lipstick and sing about rat rabies. Hope you're mature enough to handle it." I think something that's dark just for the heck of it is just as shallow as something that's full of bunnies and rainbows and princess ponies.
Anyway, there is a profound difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is merely an emotion while joy is a state of being that is rarely felt. It is a rendezvous with the metaphysical delights that God has created to pleasure our souls: friendship, loyalty, love, forgiveness, etc. Sure, these can be found in any sugary, sappy Christmas special or "Full House" episode, but these are just shadows of the real things. Because of its precious nature, Joy will necessarily be rare compared to the darkness but in the end is infinitely more valuable.
Now, I'll step away from my ramblings and actually talk about the book. Although I don't think Kenneth Graham was an inkling, Wind in the Willows seems to fall in quite nicely with the works of Lewis and Tolkien. It not only has British charm, but it also has a healthy dose of that deep male comradarie that figures so prominently in Lord of the Rings. A bunch of bachelors who have settled comfortably into their ways, the animals in WIW remind me of retired Oxford dons who feel they need nothing more than peace, a good pipe, and the morning paper. When Mole and Rat are together, they don't have to talk about any particular thing to emotionally satisfy the other. It is enough for them to be together and in this atmosphere of acceptance, they will inevitably share their dreams with each other. The whole book just feels cozy.
I also respect any book that doesn't have to resort to the whole "good vs. evil" thing for plot or theme. These are simple characters with common experiences that become profound through their commonness. Being lost, coming home, sharing a meal, fearing the wide world, conquering a foe, learning to row. Although WIW is a children's book, these themes make it feel much more real than the melodramas put out by Hollywood. Mole and Rat even get a taste of the profound when they encounter Pan, whom I believe represents the spiritual side of life which modern folks so foolishly ignore and deny.
Anyway, I liked the book. You should read it. Blah, blah, blah!

I adore this book! It is one of my favorite classics to reread. There is something so enchanting about Mole and Rat, Toad and Badger, and all the animal folk. Every time I read it, I am swept away into the exciting world of the River.

When I received this beautiful Templar edition in the mail, I literally started crying because the book is so beautiful. The cloth-bound green cover perfectly captures the peaceful mood of a breezy day boating on the River. I love the gorgeous gold foiling on the cover. It's so tactile! I want to run my fingers over it, feeling the embossed edges of the ripples in the water, but I don't want to mess it up by handling it too much.

And the inside is just as gorgeous! The endpapers are a pretty green with patterns of willow branches. Every couple of pages throughout the story, there is another delightful illustration bringing the story to life.

I love the beautiful art style in this edition! Each scene is delicately designed, and I love the sweet characters of Mole and Rat. It perfectly captures the way I imagine the animal characters in my imagination. I am absolutely entranced looking through the book at all the art work. Every page is full of color and vibrancy. You can feel the emotions of the story through the illustrations, whether the scene is peaceful, dangerous, or exciting.

This would be the perfect gift for a fan of Wind in the Willows who wants to own a pretty edition, or for someone who is reading this classic for the first time!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Last time reading for AO Y2. But hopefully not the last time, love it more every time.

As a child, I distinctly remember owning the illustrated version of this book, and I also remember enjoying it. However, my experience reading this as an adult, has been rather different.

The story follows the everyday adventures of Badger, Mole, Ratty and Toad, and I now know, that I definitely like Badger's character the most. Throughout the story, Badger is seen with more of a sensitive side, despite his reputation.

Unfortunately, they are the only positives for me. There were chapters that were totally pointless to the story, and they didn't actually lead anywhere, and the pacing of the book was terrible. Although I enjoy detailed descriptions, I think there is so much one can say about the riverbank. It was overwhelming.

Overall, this book was just okay. I'm glad I've reread it, but it lacked charm, and with a non existent plot involved too, it really is quite disappointing. How is this considered classic children's literature?

2016: Wonderfully read by Mary Woods, this children's classic was poetic & dream-like. Animals that live in the wild, yet like humans complete with breakfasts of eggs & bacon. They speak to horses, yet keep them for the carriages & a Toad in a dress is easily mistaken for a washerwoman. Grahame's descriptions were sometimes a bit long, but always evocative & his characters were wonderful. Ratty, Badger, Mole, & Toad were a hoot, especially Toad, of course. His addiction to cars was so well done. Each chapter stands very well by itself, but also makes up a great story as a whole.

If you haven't read this since Elementary school, I recommend doing so or read it to your kids. It's far better than most & timeless. A lot of good lessons without being overbearing.

2007: I gave this book 4 stars, but read parts to the kids 20 years ago & haven't read it in its entirety for at least a decade longer. I have a nice HB edition that I haven't cracked in all that time & I should as it is finely illustrated.

I forgot how much I loved this book. Previous reviewers I have read seem to find it wordy or cumbersome. Personally, I find it beautifully descriptive. I am currently reading it to my 3 and 4 year old boys at bed time, a half a chapter at a time, and they seem to be enjoying it, as well. No, its not a quick, easy read, but it is worth it for all the lost vocabulary that we see so seldom in modern author's works.

I'd never read this book before this week. I always thought it a children's book, but the themes seem more geared toward adults/young adults. The terrific descriptions of the English countryside and its lifestyle remind me why I like being there so much. I also love the way Grahame anthropomorphises everything. Example: Toad was called at an early hour; partly by the bright sunlight streaming in on him, partly by the exceeding coldness of his toes, which made him dream that he was at home in bed in his own handsome room with the Tudor window, on a cold winter's night, and his bedclothes had got up, grumbling and protesting they couldn't stand the cold any longer, and had run downstairs to the kitchen fire to warm themselves; and he had followed, on bare feet, along miles and miles of icy stone-paved passages, arguing and beseeching them to be reasonable. So rad.

Ravno trideset godina mi je ova knjiga stajala na polici nepročitana, te, iako nije baš namenjena mojoj starosnoj kategoriji, nisam se pokajao što sam joj posvetio vremena. Bez obzira na to što je objavljena pre 113 godina, priča je zimzelena a roman pravi primer lepe književnosti. Za razliku od znatno ozbiljnije, mračnije i razrađenije tematike u Brežuljku Voteršip, Grejemov je roman žovijalna pripovest o rađanju i održavanju pravog prijateljstva što će malom čitaocu da prezentuju vodeni pacov, krtica, žabac i jazavac. Kao i u Tolkinovom Hobitu, ali i u Adamsovom Brežuljku, i kod Grejema dominiraju opisi beskrajno zelenog engleskog krajolika, malih, kompaktnih kuća, brežuljaka, vresišta i rečnih obala, gde se i odvija radnja ove priče. On na vrlo pitak i deci prijemčiv, ali ne i trivijalan način, praktičnim primerima dočarava šta su postulati pravog prijateljstva, i u čemu se ogleda spontanost ispomaganja prijatelja, kada se ni jedan od učesnika ne oseća žrtvom istog. Takođe, objasnio je kroz ovaj roman i važnost upornosti prijatelja da, kada uvide da neki njihov prijatelj srlja stranputicom, ne postoji prepreka da ih odvrati da spasu to zabludelo jagnje, koje, često u svojoj nezrelosti i posvećivanju pažnje pogrešnim vrednostima i osobama ni ne uviđa koliko je zaglibilo i koliko može da naškodi sebi.