The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame is an English classic loved by adults & children alike. Spend a season on the river bank & take a walk on the wild side... Spring is in the air & Mole has found a wonderful new world. There's boating with Ratty a feast with Badger & high jinx on the open road with that reckless ruffian Mr Toad of Toad Hall. The four become the firmest of friends but after Toad's latest escapade can they join together & beat the wretched weasels? Plus a behind-the-scenes journey including author profile a guide to who's who activities & more... Kenneth Graham (1859-1932) was born in Edinburgh but grew up with relatives in Berkshire where he developed his love for the countryside surrounding the upper parts of the River Thames. He was educated at St Edward's in Oxford but instead of going on to Oxford University he joined the Bank of England where he rose to become Secretary. He wrote several books including The Golden Age & Dream Days which

Includes:: the short story ' The Reluctant Dragon' (later made into a Disney movie). Kenneth Grahame developed the character of Toad in The Wind in the Willows to amuse his young son Alistair. It was published in 1908 & still remains a best-loved children's classic.

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Mole enjoys a quiet life but when spring comes his longing for adventure takes him to the river. There he meets Water Rat & his friends Otter Badger & Toad. With messing about in boats & Toads love of fast cars Moles life is no longer quiet
- especially when the friends have to join forces against the animals from the Wild Wood.
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Kenneth Graham's The Wind in the Willows" is one of the most celebrated works of literature for children & this " Penguin Classics" edition contains notes & an introduction by Gillian Avery. Meek little Mole wilful Ratty Badger the perennial bachelor & petulant boastful Toad: over one hundred years since their first appearance in 1908 they've become emblematic archetypes of eccentricity folly & friendship. & their misadventures
- in gypsy caravans stolen sports cars & their beloved Wild Wood
- continue to capture readers' imaginations & warm their hearts long after they grow up. Begun as a series of letters from Kenneth Grahame to his son " The Wind in the Willows" is a timeless tale of animal cunning & human camaraderie. This " Penguin Classics" edition features an appendix of the letters in which Grahame first related the exploits of " Toad" & new introduction by children's literature historian Gillian Avery. Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) was an English bank official writer author of " The Wind in the Willows" (1908) set in the idyllic English countryside. The work established Grahame's international reputation as a writer of children's books & has deeply influenced fantasy literature. If you enjoyed " The Wind in the Willows" you might enjoy JM Barrie's " Peter Pan" also available in " Penguin Classics". "A charming book." (" Terry Jones")."

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Far from fading with time Kenneth Grahame's classic tale of fantasy has attracted a growing audience in each generation. Rat Mole Badger & the preposterous Mr Toad (with his ' Poop-poop-poop' road-hogging new motor car) have brought delight to many through the years with their odd adventures on & by the river & at the imposing residence of Toad Hall. ...

This is a brand new addition to Usborne Young Reading Series 2" which is aimed at children whose reading ability is beginning to grow & helps build confidence & ability. " The Wind in the Willows" is a re-telling of the beloved Kenneth Grahame story following the adventures of four riverside companions: Mole Ratty Badger & of course the eponymous Mr Toad. It is evocatively illustrated by Mauro Evangelista who also illustrated the " Young Reading" titles " Alice in Wonderland" & " The Wizard of Oz". It is developed in consultation with Alison Kelly who is a senior lecturer in education & an early reading specialist from Roehampton University." ...

If you love a good story then look no further. Oxford Children's Classics bring together the most unforgettable stories ever told. They're books to treasure & return to again & again. When Mole takes a break from his cleaning & wanders down to the river bank he meets the Water Rat & a friendship is instantly formed. The two together with Badger spend a glorious summer messing about on the river picnicking on the bank & 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 & weasels. ...

This is a beautifully bound gift edition of this classic tale of the riverbank. Nice? Its the only thing said the Water Rat solemnly as he leant forward for his stroke. Believe me my young friend there is nothing
- absolutely nothing
- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. When the Mole bored of spring cleaning leaves his tidy burrow behind he finds that the River Bank is full of friends
- brave & lively Ratty; kind sleepy Badger; & the irresponsible Mr. Toad famous for his wealth & his car smashes. But beyond the River Bank lies the Wild Wood full of sinister weasels & stoats. When the Wild Wooders venture out & capture Toad Hall the friends must band together to save it.


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Far from fading with time Kenneth Grahame's classic tale of fantasy has attracted a growing audience in each generation. Rat Mole Badger & the preposterous Mr Toad (with his ' Poop-poop-poop' road-hogging new motor car) have brought delight to many through the years with their odd adventures on & by the river & at the imposing residence of Toad Hall. ...

These audio editions especially dramatised for BBC Radio are of timeless stories that have enchanted generations of readers both young & old. The wonder & excitement of these much-loved tales live on in these acclaimed full-cast dramatisations complete with evocative music & sound effects. The story of Ratty Mole Badger & Toads escapades from messing about on the river to poop-pooping in Toads shiny new car was vividly brought to life in Alan Bennetts stage adaptation at the National Theatre in 1990 which captured the imagination of a new generation & introduced many to Kenneth Grahames classic book for the first time. This BBC Radio 4 full-cast recording features many of the members of the National Theatre production
- among them Richard Briers Leslie Phillips & Terence Rigby
- & is narrated by Alan Bennett himself.

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Believe me my young friend there is nothing
- absolutely nothing
- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.

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