Willows Rewilded: The Wry Adult Sequel to Kenneth Grahame’s ‘The Wind in the Willows'

by Colin Childs, Charles Johnston (Narrator)

Toad Hall, derelict and empty for a century, sees the return of the impecunious Horatio Toad and his six wives to the ancestral home.

In need of cash, Horatio has leased out his estate and formed a partnership with oddball rewilder Georges Montgolfiere, who needs the land more than he needs Horatio. Tensions mount as Horatio’s vision of an animal-based theme park replete with zipwires and gift shops is diametrically opposed to Montgolfiere’s purist sensibilities.

Meanwhile, a bemused Mole surfaces not to a “Silent Spring”, as Montgolfiere contends, but to a fractious one. Badger is incandescent; someone or something has pillaged his truffle beds. Ratty, now vegan and identifying as a vole, is suffering from alopecia while the translocated otter family copes with indigestion and sewage.

A “New Wild Order” will emerge, but the outcome will be beyond Montgolfiere’s wildest imaginings. The rewilder will discover the rewilded have their own plans, and every dog will have its day.

Willows Rewilded is a humorous slant on rewilding and contemporary politics with a mystical twist in the tale. Note- with some adult content.

Genres: Fantasy

Audible Audio

Published September 22, 2025

Reviews

[Lorelei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craving a departure from my typical, emotionally heavy reads-namely, tales of doomed romance-I sought something truly different.
Imagine my surprise, then, to find not one, but two love stories within these pages! Despite my initial hesitation, the narrative completely captivated me. I was utterly hooked, and even experienced a genuine laugh-out-loud moment, complete with a coffee-spraying incident.
This book, a testament to Colin Childs's natural storytelling prowess, was exactly the refreshing change I needed.

I won this ebook through a Goodreads giveaway. It did not reflect on my review.

[Fatguyreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willows Rewilded is a creative, audacious, bold reimagining of Kenneth Grahame’s much loved, fondly remembered classic.

So it's Wind in the Willows for adults, with some great humour and even a laugh out loud moment or two. It's nostalgic, it's witty and whimsical.

It's satire heavy, while also retaining some important themes of politics and environmentalism.

Real storytelling in the truest sense of the phrase.

4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schoolboy silliness, light reading when I was full of the cold.

[Heather Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wind in the willows as an adult. Was nostalgic and witty in some parts. I won this as a Goodreads giveaway. While the satire on environmentalism and politics is sharp, the pacing can feel uneven, and the humor may not resonate with all readers. Nonetheless, it’s a creative and bold reimagining for those open to a more adult, whimsical take on a classic tale.

[Abdulwarith Olalekan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willows Rewilded by Colin Childs is a fun and thought-provoking read. The story follows Horatio Toad as he returns to his family home after many years, but things don’t go as planned. His dream of turning the estate into a theme park clashes with the vision of a rewilder, Georges Montgolfiere, who wants to restore the land to nature.

The book is full of humor, interesting characters, and clever storytelling. I enjoyed how the animals each have their struggles Ratty’s new identity, Badger’s missing truffles, and the otters’ unexpected troubles made the story lively and engaging. The mix of humor, nature, and a bit of mystery kept me turning the pages.

Colin Childs has created a unique and enjoyable book that makes readers think and smile. It's an excellent read for anyone who enjoys witty and imaginative stories!

[Read Ng · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a voluntary review of a GoodReads giveaway win of a Kindle ebook.

I never read the original Wind in the Willows. I must have had a deprived childhood. So I made a quick read of the childhood classic to get familiar with the characters.

I must not be the target audience for this Adult version. I did not finish. I tried.

In reflection, it may have been a mistake to read these two books back to back. The dichotomy is just too abrupt. Like the original, not a lot of setup, we are just dropped into the lives of our characters. I am reluctant to give poor reviews, but for me, this story was just a very disappointing adult version. I didn't stick around long enough to see if it improved along the way or concludes well.

Go find your next GoodReads.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book I won in a Goodreads giveaway.
It was an ok read. It was entertaining, but it was not an "I couldn't put it down" read. And don't expect it to be anything like the "The Wind in the Willows". Some of the same characters and "neighborhood", but not the same kind of book. And don't let your children read it; this book is for grown ups.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever imagining of a sequel to the Wind in the Willows. It is hilarious in places and brought back memories of having to study the Wind in the Willows in school. I still found Toad of Toad Hall most irritating though.

[Jessica Keesling · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried... could not get past pg 77.