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Kenneth Grahame was born in Edinburgh, Scotland but in early childhood, after being orphaned, moved to live with his grandmother on the banks of the River Thames in southern England. He was an outstanding pupil at St Edward's School in Oxford and wanted to attend Oxford University but was not allowed to do so by his guardian on grounds of cost. Instead he was sent to work at the Bank of England in 1879, and rose through the ranks until retiring as its Secretary in 1908 due to ill health. In addition to ill health, Grahame's retirement was precipitated in 1903 by a strange, possibly political, shooting incident at the bank. Grahame was shot at three times, all of them missed. Grahame's marriage to Elspeth Thomson was an unhappy one. They had only one child, a boy named Alastair, who was born blind in one eye and was plagued by health problems throughout his short life. Alastair eventually committed suicide on a railway track while an undergraduate at Oxford University, two days before his 20th birthday on 7 May, 1920. Out of respect for Kenneth Grahame, Alastair's demise was recorded as an accidental death. Kenneth Grahame died in Pangbourne, Berkshire in 1932.
This new Wordsworth Collector’s Edition of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 classic will make an attractive addition to any child’s library, or any grown-up’s for that matter. With a stylish cover illustration, compact hardback format, and gleaming gold foil, it makes the perfect present. As for the story, readers of seven and upwards who love nature, animals and adventures of a gentler kind will be entertained by the cast of anthropomorphised characters and enthralled by the pastoral setting. In many ways, the animals aren’t animals at all - they’re essentially human, a gaggle of wealthy gentlemen with plenty of leisure time for “messing about on the river”. Amusingly and fittingly, the author’s original title was Mr Mole and His Mates, for this classic has friendship at its heart. The Wordsworth Collector's Editions make wonderful presents for children; you can find more in the series here.
Join Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr. Toad in their adventures and antics, from venturing into the dark and dangerous Wild Wood to simply messing about in boats.
The classic story of Ratty, Toad and Badger – three friends who live on the riverbank – is full of adventure, excitement and wonderful characters. David Roberts’ illustrations bring a touch of sophistication to the familiar story and capture perfectly the outrageous Mr Toad’s great adventure behind the wheel of his car. **** Parents might also be interested in Wild Wood, Jan Needle's richly comic re-telling of Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, a book which can be read as political satire but there's much more to enjoy. Though the wood is cold and unemployment bleak it only takes a sea rat with an accordion and a nip of Daisy Ferret's special brew to get the stoats and weasels partying. Wild Wood is as funny, as relevant and as pleasurable in 2014 as it was on first publication in 1981.
The classic adventure of Mole, Ratty, Mr Badger and, of course, Mr Toad is beautifully presented in this gorgeous edition with illustrations by David Roberts. In addition to illustrating the story, David Roberts has also created 32 beautiful playing cards featuring the animals in their watery homes. Perfect for playing family games such as snap.
Friendship, hospitality and having fun propel the adventures of these four animals as they go about their lives against the watery landscape in this classic tale. Life on the riverbank with close-friends Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger is mostly peaceful. There is lots of entertaining as well as a great deal of just messing about on the river. Just occasionally the peace is shattered, as when Toad gets behind the wheel of his car and speeds around the countryside letting rip with the horn or, more seriously, by brief attempts to defeat the weasels and stoats in the Wild Wood.
Kenneth Grahame’s classic story of friendship and the countryside is at its best when published with the original illustrations by E.H Shepherd. The story tells of the mostly peaceful life of close friends Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger who do little more than potter about happily entertaining each other and messing about on the river. Drama comes from small scale but exciting adventures such as Toad recklessly behind the wheel of his car, speeding around the countryside letting rip with the horn. Or from more serious events, an exciting skirmish against the weasels and stoats in the Wild Wood. Friendship, hospitality and the pursuit of having fun propel the adventures of these four animals as they go about their lives against the watery landscape.
The classic story of Ratty, Toad and Badger – three friends who live on the riverbank – is full of adventure, excitement and wonderful characters. David Roberts’ illustrations bring a touch of sophistication to the familiar story and capture perfectly the outrageous Mr Toad’s great adventure behind the wheel of his car. **** Parents might also be interested in Wild Wood, Jan Needle's richly comic re-telling of Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, a book which can be read as political satire but there's much more to enjoy. Though the wood is cold and unemployment bleak it only takes a sea rat with an accordion and a nip of Daisy Ferret's special brew to get the stoats and weasels partying. Wild Wood is as funny, as relevant and as pleasurable in 2014 as it was on first publication in 1981.
Friendship, hospitality and having fun propel the adventures of these four animals as they go about their lives against the watery landscape in this classic tale. Life on the riverbank with close-friends Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger is mostly peaceful. There is lots of entertaining as well as a great deal of just messing about on the river. Just occasionally the peace is shattered, as when Toad gets behind the wheel of his car and speeds around the countryside letting rip with the horn or, more seriously, by brief attempts to defeat the weasels and stoats in the Wild Wood. This edition is part of the Vintage Children's Classics series which is aimed at and shaped by 8-12 year olds, and the adults in their lives. It is a broad, affordable selection of books that will inspire a life-long love of reading; these stories that have secured a place in the hearts of thousands. They are all unabridged. To view all the Vintage Children's Classics titles click here. They are books to be given as gifts, and passed down the generations. In addition, story hungry children often don't want the adventure to end, so why not take a look at the fully interactive website - World of Stories - which contains lots of extra material - the backstory: with quizzes, activities and fascinating facts about the books and their authors.
Stunning is definitely the best word to describe this book that is bulging with superb illustrations that complement the moving story by Kenneth Grahame of Ratty, Moley and of course the irascible Toad. It is part of the Walker Illustrated Classics, a new series which brings together some of the best-loved stories ever told, illustrated by some of today's finest artists. These exquisitely designed books, with their magnificent words and glorious pictures, are a pleasure to read - and re-read. The classics have never looked so good. To see more Illustrated Classics click here to go to the Classics section, then click the Illustrated tab.
This is a wonderful hardback edition (part of the Oxford Children's Classics Collection), perfect as a gift or to last and last when read and reread from the nursery bookshelf. With the complete and unabridged text, 100 years on this superb story of mole and badger and their hapless friend toad still has the power to capture and inspire the reader’s imagination. Just click here to view our range of Children’s Classics. Sally Grindley, December 2010 Guest Editor, explains why she loves The Wind in the Willows: "This is my all time favourite childrens’ book. Thanks, Mum, for introducing me to it! What wonderful characters and what a fabulous plot. You can’t help but love naïve little Mole, discovering life above ground for the first time; industrious Ratty, always on the go and mad about boating; avuncular Badger, ready with a wise word and a warm fire; and, of course, incorrigible Mr Toad, who never stops getting into the most extraordinary scrapes. The backdrop to it all is the Wild Wood, with its wicked bands of stoats and weasels. Watch out, Toad!"
March 2010 Guest Editor Michael Foreman remembers: "One of our teachers, Oscar Outlaw, realised that most of the class had no books at home. He started bringing in his own books and reading to us on Friday afternoons if it was too wet for games. First he read The Wind in the Willows. And then, Treasure Island. What a treat! We looked forward to rain." LoveReading4Kids adds: An absolutely delightful tale of four animals that become the firmest of friends and beat the wretched and wicked weasels; but not before the friends have to rescue the devil-may-care Toad time and time again from his misadventures. Brian Jacques, whose love of the story shines through in a marvellous Introduction to the book, believes it possesses that quintessential English charm and fascination that children of all ages love. And as for Toad, well he’s ‘Billy Bunter, Just William and Dick Turpin with a dash of Bertie Wooster thrown in’ says Jacques. In this terrific pocket size Puffin edition there’s lots of additional material at the end of the book including an author profile, a guide to who’s who in The Wind in the Willows plus many related activities to do beyond the book. An unabridged audio is also available of this title from Puffin.
A touching classic story of a dragon who doesn’t want to do any of the frightening things dragons should do. Published in a handsome 70th anniversary edition with the original illustrations. The LoveReading Comment: This is a funny story of bravery, friendship and derring-do between a young boy and a dragon who he finds living above his home. The two become close companions but the town folk are scared and call upon St George to kill the dragon in combat. This however, proves rather tricky when the dragon simply won’t fight! First published 70 years ago, this is a timeless children’s classic from Kenneth Grahame, the author of The Wind in the Willows and beautifully illustrated by Ernest H. Shepherd who of course is synonymous with the drawings of Winnie the Pooh and of course The Wind in the Willows.
This timeless tale has never been out of print and remains one of the best loved children’s titles in English literature. Grahame’s wonderful imagination and quiet humour continue to charm children and adults alike and this edition is beautifully complemented by some stunning illustrations throughout by award-winning illustrator Robert Ingpen. Other classics illustrated by Robert Ingpen and in a wonderful gift hardback edition include, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, and Peter Pan **** Parents might also be interested in Wild Wood, Jan Needle's richly comic re-telling of Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, a book which can be read as political satire but there's much more to enjoy. Though the wood is cold and unemployment bleak it only takes a sea rat with an accordion and a nip of Daisy Ferret's special brew to get the stoats and weasels partying. Wild Wood is as funny, as relevant and as pleasurable in 2014 as it was on first publication in 1981.
A stunning new edition with deluxe cover treatments, ribbon markers, luxury endpapers and gilded edges. The unabridged text is accompanied by a Glossary of Victorian and Literary terms produced for the modern reader. Kenneth Grahame's treasured and perennially popular The Wind in the Willows follows the adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger as they spend their time 'simply messing about in boats', getting lost in the Wild Wood and getting Toad out of scrapes. The endearing characters, evocatively idyllic setting of the gentle Thames Valley and the message of friendship make this an enduringly heart-warming tale. The FLAME TREE COLLECTABLE CLASSICS are chosen to create a delightful and timeless home library.
With an Introduction by A.A. Milne and Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Far from fading with time, Kenneth Grahame's classic tale of fantasy has attracted a growing audience in each generation. Rat, Mole, Badger and the preposterous Mr Toad, have brought delight to many through the years with their odd adventures on and by the river, and at the imposing residence of Toad Hall.
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