 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Wind in the Willows
- By Kenneth Grahame
- Genre: Friendship
Common Sense Media says
A timeless classic for generations.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that these beautifully written, richly inventive adventures are best for children with patience. Patrick Benson's art adds nothing over Ernest H. Shepherd's original drawings.
What's the story?
Wealthy, spoiled Toad has a way of getting his friends in trouble, especially when he gets a motor car, but he can always count on Mole, Water Rat, and Badger to get him out again. A timeless classic for generations, though rather difficult for many of today's children. Benson's illustrations are adequate, but add nothing new.
Is it any good?
Kenneth Grahame, who wrote this as a series of bedtime stories for his son in 1908, introduces readers to a society filled with animal etiquette. The underground Badger appears to be society-hating, but does follow protocol; it bothers him most that vain and trendy Toad (the most entertaining character) does just what he wants. Toad gets bored with boating and finds a new hobby -- motor cars -- that results in a prison break and a somewhat reformed Toad sees the error of his ways through the help of his pals. Friendship drives this social structure, and this story.
Patrick Benson's cross-hatched drawings are so similar to Ernest H. Shepard's original ink drawings that they seem redundant. Parents who remember the version with Shepard's illustrations will not find these jarring, but may prefer to share with their children the edition they remember.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about character. Do you like Toad at the outset?
Would you want him as a friend?
How do the characters learn and grow from their relationships?
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AGE
Read this book!
My kids (ages 5 and 7) loved being read this book! I gave it an "iffy" for language, because the term "silly ass" was used a few times. The depiction of Toad provides a perfect opportunity to discuss things such as temptation, avoiding sinful behavior, selfishness, greed, and the way a friend should help another who is caught in such behavior.
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AGE
BORING
normally i have scathing opinions of people who just call a book boring and leave it at that. but this book- honestly, it's charming and dull and generally everything adults wish their kids would love to read. two thumbs way, way down.
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AGE
Classic fun for animal adventure fans
I read this book to my 8 year old son and we both really enjoyed it. It has funny parts and some mild adventures and lovely characters with good messages about friendship (and the dangers of boasting!).
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Kid, 12 years old
October 24, 2009
AGE
Perfect for kids approaching teenage
This book is perfect!
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AGE
Everyone enjoys a classic.
The book Wind in the Willows is very unique. It somehow ties together wood animals, humans and motor cars into the one story and pulls it off. This story is full of mischievious mayhem and friendships that are driven through the worst of times. It is quite a cute story for everyone to enjoy.
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Kid, 11 years old
June 24, 2010
AGE
9+
Very good book
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AGE
Hilarious with a tiny bit of violence
I loved this book! I read it in 2 days because I couldn't put it down! I am 12 years old and it was a little kiddish but I still loved it! I think you need to know about the tiny bit and not very bad violence. There is hitting with clubs and guns but not too much. I would still strongly suggest this amazing, breath-taking book!
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Kid, 11 years old
June 28, 2011
AGE
book review of wind in the willows
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AGE
Adorable:)
I loved this book. Yes it's kinda for little kids, but then again, not really. There's some words from the early 1900's, the era of this book, that might be confusing to some younger kids. Although, they do have footnotes on the pages that have those different words. Older kids should read this too. Its adventorous, silly, and quite adorable. I enjoyed it all the way through.
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AGE
Vocabulary must be reviewed by parent o determine the childs ability to understand.
I began reading this book to my 7 year old upon reading this recommendation for 6 year olds. I got a few pages in and realized that in order for him to understand this book, I would have to explain a LOT of vocabulary to him (e.g."meandered aimlessly"..."spirit of divine discontent and longing".."imperiously"..."after the seclusion of the cellarage"..."impatient and contemptuous" all of these are in the first two pages!) He was not understanding it. We have not yet finished it. I thought I would wait until he is in the 3rd grade...now we'll try again. I'll update once we are done. I am all for introducing children to new vocabulary words, but in my case there was too much to explain.
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| Author: | Kenneth Grahame |
| Illustrator: | Patrick Benson |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Friendship |
| Publisher: | St. Martin's Press |
| Publication date: | December 31, 1969 |
| Number of pages: | 271 |
| Hardcover price: | $0.00 |
| Paperback price: | $5.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
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