The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

In this beautiful masterpiece, the reader finds himself inside the paradise-like landscapes of fable land.
The loyal, tender, yet vainglorious, nouveau rich and comic Mole and his dull life, imperiously calling for a change – until eventually energetic and resourceful Ratty, the Water Rat, led him into the wonders and pleasures of ever-revealing life on the river, on a boat, and off into the discovery of far-away new places.
Toad, the good-natured, affectionate, though boastful, conceited and exasperating Frog, living in a boat-house, yet owning a gipsy caravan – having taken a sudden interest in travelling and change – and now taking friends Ratty and Mole along, the ones that would, eventually, save him from himself and his self-destructive obsession, to the point of losing his much beloved house (The Toad Hall).
The Badger, stern yet wise, hating society and invitations and all that sort of thing, living in the very middle of the Wild Wood and wishing to make his influence felt by everybody.
(... and many other funny animals/characters)

Scottish-born Kenneth Grahame himself (‘a master of children’s literature') once said this is a book for those people ‘who keep the spirit of youth alive in them; of life, sunshine, running water, woodlands, dusty roads, winter firesides’.
It is a timeless classic of parable and reflection, one which projects into today’s time of growing pressures on people’s time and the environment. A parable in which good friendship is eventually praised and wrongdoers end up understanding its value and the importance of making it up to those they've harmed.

This is a beautiful children's book, which I strongly recommend to all adults!

(available in the school library)

Celeste Calejo