The Wind in the Willows and Other Stories

by Kenneth Grahame, Arthur Rackham (Illustrator)

A timeless collection of stories told with a focus on children’s perspectives. 

Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows is an enduring classic of children’s literature, and has been beloved by readers of all ages since its publication in 1908. In addition to the delightful tale about the adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and Toad—illustrated in full color by Arthur Rackham—this volume includes more than two dozen short stories from Grahame’s collections The Golden Age (1895) and Dream Days (1898), the latter of which contains Grahame’s most famous short story, “The Reluctant Dragon.” With an emphasis on childhood perspectives and often devoid of adult sentimentalities, Grahame’s stories focus on the concerns of youth—a focus that makes these stories endure in the hearts and minds of today's readers. 
 

Genres: Classics, Short Stories

368 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2019

About the author

Kenneth Grahame was a British writer. He is best remembered for the classic of children's literature The Wind in the Willows (1908). Scottish by birth, he spent most of his childhood with his grandmother in England, following the death of his mother and his father's inability to look after the children. After attending St Edward's School in Oxford, his ambition to attend university was thwarted and he joined the Bank of England, where he had a successful career. Before writing The Wind in the Willows, he published three other books: Pagan Papers (1893), The Golden Age (1895), and Dream Days (1898).

Reviews

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wind in the Willows is incredibly nostalgic! It’s a classic I grew up reading and rereading. I always loved Mole & Ratty’s companionship and the wise old Badger. Toad is and forever will be one of the most aggravating creatures of fiction. 😂 It’s a charming and whimsical read.

Clearly, I’ve clearly been sleeping on Grahame’s other works, names The Golden Age and Dream Days. A two-part collection of hilarious and nostalgic remembrances of childhood. The days spent outside playing pretend, fighting dragons and winning wars. It captures the essence of an imaginative childhood and make believe—one I’m so grateful to have had.

Grahame’s works are quintessential childhood classics!

[Pages & Cup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! I’m so glad I finally read it.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is pretty and winsome, and what I loved about it is that the author’s writing style fits so harmoniously with the world and characters he created. Such a skill!

But it needed more plot. Some chapters bored me to tears. Reading this book felt like staring at a very pretty painting.. for hours.. and hours.. and hours :/

Sorry, Mr. Grahame

Love, a humbug

[Danie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was only interested in reading The Wind in the Willows so I stopped there when the story ended at page 160. I love the aesthetic of the story and it has always been a childhood favorite of mine. In my opinion the Australian film version is the superior version of this story, the film changes a few details that are an improvement to the story and doesn't stray from the plot like Grahame does at a certain point. Grahame tends to go on tangents at times that serve no purpose to the story. Ultimately worth a read and it would be a very funny and engaging story for children still in present day and probably future generations, it's a timeless story. Highly recommend the Australian animated film.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your whole mind and heart cannot help but be refreshed and delighted by the story of friends ever by each other’s side be they right or wrong. There is something so powerful in children’s stories that are relevant to growing maturity in challenging times but still being able to dream with excitement. I hope someday to be invited to read this story to youth before they get caught up in wanting to be grown up, too soon. I hope to help them know that though they live to be past 30, which to them may seem ancient, they will never grow too old for a visit with Mole, The Rat and Badger, a poor old troublesome Toady, friends forever in the willows.

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood tales that are so lovely and evocative in their language and imagery that they are a treat even to adult readers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no patience for the self-absorbed Toad. Otherwise delightful.

[Elijah Onuche]

Good