Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (19)

Excellent - buy this version from the UK Amazon
I love this story.It is nice for children, but so much nicer for adolescents and adults.If you really want this hardcover version, buy it for about $12.00 at the UK Amazon store and don't waste your money here.

Plenty of savory stuff in this tale
This is not fantasy in the sense that "Harry Potter" or "The Lord of the Rings" is fantasy. The emphasis here is not on a broader epic narrative. Rather, "Wind in the Willows", like "Alice in Wonderland" and other earlier fantasy works, presents a series of vignettes each of which highlight a theme, virtue, lesson, idea, or mixture of several. That said, a certain amount of accrued information figures with every successive chapter. The characters, for example, become a little more developed as each story unfolds. Some chapters are far more effective, in my view, than others. One of my favorites is the third - "The Wild Wood". Here Grahame's talent for painting a scene, and melding the aesthetic characteristics of that scene with what the characters are thinking and feeling, reaches a peak. The layers of ambience in the wood become synonymous with the subtle feelings and emotions that the Mole experiences as he ventures into it. Here lies Grahame's genius, I believe - he captures scenes, links them deftly with his characters' dispositions, and invites us to reflect upon our own lives through the events that unfold therein. Some might find as I have that there's a bit of tedium sprinkled here and there throughout this work - I sometimes found the Mr. Toad portions to be more tiresome than Grahame probably intended for his readers. But there is also plenty that is magical and stirring. This makes it all worthwhile.

Another MUST HAVE for your family library
Wind In the Willows illustrated by Robert Ingpen brings this book into the world of both children and adults.The illustrations are as much as classic as the story itself.I recommend any classic that Robert Ingpen has graced with his gift of art!

Love the illustrations
The Wind in the Willows has always been a favorite book of mine and my husband's.We buy it periodically as gifts for adults and children alike.We love this new edition, with its gorgeous and plentiful illustrations.

The Wind in the Willows
Wonderful book.Brought back great memories of my childhood and I can not wait to share these adventures with my grandchildren.I especially enjoyed the traditional use of the English language, it seems that we have all forgotten the proper use of words and phrases.Pure delight.[[ASIN:0955304636 The Wind in the Willows] ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1909. This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

Product Description
“The boastful, unstable Toad, the hospitable Water Rat, the shy, wise, childlike Badger, and the Mole with his pleasant habit of brave boyish impulse,” noted Vanity Fair nearly a century ago, “are types of that deeper humanity which sways us all.” Written by Kenneth Grahame as bedtime stories for his son, The Wind in the Willows continues to delight readers today.

Basing his fanciful animal characters on human archetypes, Grahame imparts a gentle, playful wisdom in his timeless tales. Few readers will be able to resist an invitation to join the Wild Wooders at Toad Hall, enjoy a quick splash in the river with Rat and Badger, or take a swerving ride with Toad in a “borrowed” motor-car. This Modern Library Paperback Classic is set from the first illustrated American edition of 1913. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Delightful, charming, and beautifully written...
I read this book for the first time two years ago, and it is one of my all-time favorite books - which I re-read now every spring.I owned this edition.I say "owned" in the past-tense, because I am buying it now... for the third time... to replace yet another copied loaned out and loved too much to be returned to me!

This is a delightful story, whether you are a child tucked into bed and being read to, or whether, like me, you are the adult with your feet tucked up beneath you in some quiet, sunny spot.There are moments in this book that are so charming, so profound, or so amusing, that I find myself re-reading the passages again and again, and just laughing. ... Read more

Product Description
Rat and Mole enjoy an afternoon outing on the river in this first chapter of "The Wind in the Willows." ... Read more

Product Description
When shy Mole climbs out of his hole and into the fresh spring air, he meets Ratty. The two set off for a day on the river, and thus begins this classic tale of deep friendship and adventure.
Even before the publication of the first edition in 1908, Kenneth Grahame's beloved characters appeared in gentle letters from the author to his young son. Those letters and the charming story itself inspired internationally acclaimed artist Michael Foreman to create the luminous illustrations for this unabridged edition.
Perfect for gift giving, this exquisite volume features several reproductions of Grahame's letters, along with photographs of father and son, a note about the author, an illustrator's note, and a sewn-in ribbon bookmark.
Amazon.com Review
Inspired by correspondence from Wind in the Willow's author Kenneth Grahame to his young son, award-winning illustrator Michael Foreman took up paint and brush to follow Mole, Ratty, Mr. Badger, and Toad through another edition of this well-loved kids classic.

Grahame's time-honored story, an adventure-filled idyll that meanders across a lovingly described English countryside, cemented its status as a masterpiece generations ago. But this newest edition adds some noteworthy extras: the unabridged text includes two chapters that don't appear in some modern versions ("The Pipers at the Gates of Dawn" and "Wayfarers All"), and the book closes with reproductions of two of Grahame's actual letters to his son Alistair ("My darling Mouse") in 1907, written on ornate, old-timey stationery from two Cornwall hotels and recounting one of Toad's first adventures (which Toad fans will recognize as the train-assisted escape of a certain "washerwoman").

These inclusions alone might merit a new edition, but Foreman's illustrations stand shoulder to shoulder with those of previous Winds artists (among them Ernest Shepard, the original illustrator, and Arthur Rackham, both of whom Foreman modestly stands "in awe" of). The lively, full-color illustrations appear generously throughout the book, as they convincingly capture both the story's small moments (like the washerwoman's weeping, for one) and more explosive events (like the storming of Toad Hall). (All ages) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Complex
This was a very interesting book. As I read it I felt like Toad was a `Prodigal Son', who came back only far enough to receive acceptance, then returned to his bad habits till he was in trouble again.

It reminded me much of myself, playing at being Christian before really giving Christ all areas of my life. Like Toad I would repent, but then not really change.

Rat was wise and resourceful, Mole was tender and caring and awe-full like a child yet also very wise. Badger is like a wise mature old mentor or guide, sent to give direction, and lead one to find one's own purpose in life.

Yet the mix of Animal and Human society just did not make sense to me. It felt like a badly planned Narnia novel. It did not explain how the animal and human worlds came to interact and share a language or culture.

But over all it was a fun read even if dry in some spots.

(First written as Journal Reading Notes in 1999.)

Great book, mediocre illustrations
Soon after getting Wind in the Willows (Michael Hague, illustrator) from the library, my daughter fell in love - at bedtime, it's 'Toad! Toad!' and 'Hang spring cleaning!'.So, based on reviews of this edition, I decided to buy it.Sadly, we were both disappointed.The book is still great, but the illustrations in this edition are mediocre at best.Cartoonish and bland, they don't come close to doing justice to the author.The Michael Hague edition may have fewer illustrations, but they are deep, rich and glorious - just like the book.If your child is ready for this book, she's ready for 'grown-up' illustrations, too.
Do yourself a favor - get the Hague edition instead.

Beautiful presentation.
It's been many years since I read this book and I got this one
for a niece (7 years old) and thought I'd read it first myself.

It is very nicely illustrated; kids will love the pictures
and the lettering is large, so if they are being read to, they
will find it easier to follow along.

That said, the level of comprehension is probably that of early teen, rather than pre-teen.Maybe that says more about my level of comprehension? :)

However, the book (stories) are classics and I am sure any child (or adult) would be delighted with this as a gift.

MR. TOAD RIDES AGAIN
What a difference a month makes. Just a few weeks ago I pronounced Seastar Books' new edition of "The Wind in the Willows" the best gift edition of the 1908 children's classic since illustrator Ernest Shephard's classic version, due to the glorious acrylic and watercolor paintings by Mary Jane Begin ("The Porcupine Mouse," "A Mouse Told His Mother"). Yet surprisingly, it has already been surpassed, so I must pass the trophy to Harcourt's new unabridged edition. It's beautifully presented in a wide, landscape format with a satin ribbon bookmark to keep your place when the stories dutifully fulfill their destiny as bedtime reading. The notable source of the book's special appeal, of course, is the charming new artwork by extraordinary English watercolorist Michael Foreman. The pages are filled with gently expressive mixed-media paintings, from the end-papers map of Wildwood and its surroundings, to a rollicking train ride, and the wild rumpus at Toad Hall. And the illustrations are generously plentiful: nearly every two-page spread contains at least one color sketch. The sheer number of illustrations tremendously enriches the story, and the Foreman's light-handed technique, previously apparent in "Michael Foreman's Mother Goose," "Joan of Arc" and "Arthur, High King of Britain" -- is a lovely tribute to the similar style of Shephard himself. Well done. ... Read more

Product Description
This hardcover edition of the classic tale of THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS has been read and loved by children for generations.Start a new tradition of reading this timeless tale in your home today!
•Fully illustrated in color, bringing each tale to life
•Filled with humor, adventure and imagination for children of all ages
•Great first-time reading for children as well as reading again for parents and grandparents
•Beautiful story and unforgettable characters ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Finally, I found it!
I looked several places trying to locate this Wind in the Willows book illustrated by Rene Cloke.I was having a difficult time finding a new copy.I am quite happy with the quality of the book I received.

Complex
This was a very interesting book. As I read it I felt like Toad was a `Prodigal Son', who came back only far enough to receive acceptance, then returned to his bad habits till he was in trouble again.

It reminded me much of myself, playing at being Christian before really giving Christ all areas of my life. Like Toad I would repent, but then not really change.

Rat was wise and resourceful, Mole was tender and caring and awe-full like a child yet also very wise. Badger is like a wise mature old mentor or guide, sent to give direction, and lead one to find one's own purpose in life.

Yet the mix of Animal and Human society just did not make sense to me. It felt like a badly planned Narnia novel. It did not explain how the animal and human worlds came to interact and share a language or culture.

But over all it was a fun read even if dry in some spots.

(First written as Journal Reading Notes in 1999.)

Be aware that this book is "adapted for young children", i.e., abridged
While I'm sure this book will evoke many fond memories for those who read it as a child, please be aware that it is very abridged.Large format, large type, nicely illustrated, inexpensive... and abridged.

Childhood Favorite
I remember this book. It was given to me as a birthday present when I was young. I loved it! My father read it to me until the pages fell out. I lost it in a move several years ago and was overjoyed to find it for sale after having been unavailable for many years. The pictures are amazing. The detail is spectacular. I haven't seen another edition with such fine illustrations. The characters came to life for me as a child through these pictures. I fell in love with the story and rat and mole became my best friends. I recommend this book. Make someone's childhood. ... Read more

Product Description
The escapades of four animal friends who live along a river in the English countryside--Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ok
I read this book becuase I picked it out of the school library becuase that's what we were doing for our school play this year.I think this book was meant for younger children because I thought that it didn;t tell me the whkole story and left a lot out from the original copy. I will try to get the original copy from the library since I'm interested in this book. ... Read more

Product Description
When Mole takes a break from his cleaning and wanders down to the river bank, he meets the Water Rat and a friendship is instantly formed. The two, together with Badger, spend a glorious summer messing about on the river, picnicking on the bank, and taking life easy. But when their hapless friend Toad gets into a spot of bother they dash to his aid. Soon the four friends are fighting to save Toad Hall from the dastardly stoats and weasels. 2008 is the centenary year of The Wind in the Willows and after 100 years in print this wonderful story still has the power to captivate its readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A VERY NIFTY LITTLE BOOK!
This little book is easy for a child to hold and has the entire unabridged text of WITW, so it is a great bargain; I just wish they had had pictures inside because the cover is so beautiful but for the price, it is a great buy. Enjoy!

Wonderful
I bought this book for my niece but havent given it to her yet because I want to read it! :) I flipped through some of the pages and fell in love with its early century british tone and fundemental good values of friendship and truth. I cant wait to read it to my niece and talk about how wonderful a friend Rat is to Mole and how Rats good treatment of his friend humbled him. What a wonderful story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good book, good shiping charge, promt service, great book, from England
I wanted to get an un-abridged, unaltered copy of "The Wind in the Willows" for my children, as book stores do not carry it any longer.I was pleasantly surprised that I found a 1983 version of the book, in its original wording, phrases, and all.The book cost only 2-4 dollars.The dust jacket was missing, and a couple pages had minor discrepancies; but really, who cares about small stuff like that.(The book is for my children, and I do not want to go on antique road show anytime soon.)The book is also full of GREAT illustrations.

The book was promptly sent to me, for a fair shipping and handling cost.When it arrived, I found that it was shipped from someplace like Essex, Great Britain (sorry if I got the town wrong).I have received books from Amazon before, books from my own home town that cost more for shipping and handling, who took longer to ship to my house.Needless to say I am pleased with this purchase.

... Read more

Product Description
The Wind in the Willows is a classic of children's literature by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternately slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animal characters in a pastoral version of England. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie.

The Wind in the Willows was in its thirty-first printing when then-famous playwright, A. A. Milne, who loved it, adapted a part of it for stage as Toad of Toad Hall in 1929. In 1908 Grahame retired from his position as secretary of the Bank of England. He moved to the country, where he spent his time by the River Thames doing much as the animal characters in his book do; namely, as one of the most famous phrases from the book says, "simply messing about in boats".

At the start of the book, it is spring time, the weather is fine, and good-natured Moleloses patience with his spring cleaning and dares to leave his underground home, heading up to take in the air. He ends up at the river, which he has never seen before. Here he meets Ratty (a water rat), who spends all his days in and around the river. Rat takes Mole for a ride in his rowing boat. They get along well and the two of them spend many more days on the river, with Rat teaching Mole the ways of the river.

Some time later, one summer day, Rat and Mole find themselves near Toad Hall and pay a visit to Toad. Toad is rich, jovial and friendly, but conceited, and tends to become obsessed about things, only to dismiss them later. Having given up boating, Toad's current craze is his horse-drawn caravan. In fact, he is about to go on a trip, and persuades the reluctant Rat and willing Mole to join him. A few days later, a passing motor car scares their horse, causing the caravan to crash. This marks the end of Toad's craze for caravan travel, to be replaced with an obsession for motor cars.

Mole wants to meet Badger, who lives in the Wild Wood, but Rat knows that Badger does not appreciate visits, and so refuses to take him, suggesting that if Mole will wait, Badger himself will pay a visit. Nevertheless, on a winter's day, Mole goes to the Wild Wood to explore, hoping to meet Badger. He gets lost in the woods, succumbs to fright and panic and hides among the roots of a sheltering tree. Rat goes looking for Mole, and finds him, but it starts to snow and even Rat no longer knows the way home. By chance they arrive at Badger's home. Badger welcomes Rat and Mole to his large and very cosy home, and gives them food and dry clothes. Badger learns from Rat and Mole that Toad has crashed six cars and has been hospitalised three times, and has had to spend a fortune on fines. Though nothing can be done at the moment (it being winter), they decide that once spring arrives they should do something to protect Toad from himself, since they are, after all, his friends.


Somewhere alongside a river lives a Water Rat and a Mole, two friends who take pleasure in the simple things, like taking a ride in Ratty's boat and having a picnic. Their friends Toad, Otter and Badger, living near the river and in the Wide Wood, join them in various adventures throughout the seasons.

Somehow, when I was young and reading The Chronicles Narnia and all the Thornton W. Burgess tales, I missed this children's classic featuring Mole and the Water Rat, pompous old Toad and the sturdy Badger. I especially loved Toad, his faddish delights and mood swings from deepest despair to puffed up self-display. This was a truly charming read, by turns familiar (due to a movie I saw as a child) and new. The episodic chapters and long, meandering sentences lend themselves to a read-aloud, and I look forward to someday sharing this story with a young child.

... Read more

Product Description
The tales of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad. When Mole goes boating with the Water Rat instead of spring-cleaning, he discovers a new world. As well as the river and the Wild Wood, there is Toad's craze for fast travel which leads him and his friends on a whirl of trains, barges, gipsy caravans and motor cars and even into battle. ... Read more

Product Description
The Wind in the Willows (1908) is a book for those 'who keep the spirit of youth alive in them'. So wrote Kenneth Grahame of his timeless tale of Toad, Mole, Badger, and Rat in their beautiful and benevolently ordered world. But it is also a world under siege, threatened by dark and unnamed forces, and defended by the mysterious Piper at the Gates of Dawn. The Wind in the Willows has achieved an enduring place in our literature: it succeeds at once in arousing our anxieties and in calming them by giving perfect shape to our desire for peace and escape. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

...
A beautiful book. Much more could (or probably should) be said about it; but really it speaks for itself. If you desire torustle in the leaves of the willow tree, or laugh with innocent Mole or sagacious Ratty on riverbanks; if you can immerse yourself in the world of an English countryside, read this book. It will not fail you; it will not in fact ever leave you. ... Read more