The Wind in the Willows
- By Kenneth Grahame
- Genre: Friendship
Common Sense Media says
Timeless classic about Toad's adventures and his friends.
- By Kenneth Grahame
- Genre: Friendship
What parents need to know
Educational value
Positive role models
Violence & scariness
Language
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the beautifully written, richly inventive adventures chronicled in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows are best for children with patience. Kids may be more familiar with TV and film versions based on the original book. There's a bit of violence when Toad gets into a fight with the ferrets and weasels. A ferret shoots at Toad, Rat puts pistols in his belt, and Otter cuffs a rabbit.
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What's the story?
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.
Is it any good?
QUALITY
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. Friendship drives this social structure and this story.
A timeless classic for generations, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS may be difficult for today's kids in terms of its language and pacing. But parents can help in a read-aloud setting. Patrick Benson's cross-hatched drawings in this edition are so similar to Ernest H. Shepard's original ink drawings that they don't add anything particularly new.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about the character of Toad. Do you like him at the outset?
Would you want Toad as a friend?
How do the characters learn and grow from their relationships?
Book details
| Author: | Kenneth Grahame |
| Illustrator: | Patrick Benson |
| Genre: | Friendship |
| Topics: | Adventures, Friendship, Horses and farm animals, Misfits and underdogs, Wild animals |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Publisher: | St. Martin's Press |
| Publication date: | December 31, 1969 |
| Number of pages: | 271 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
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QUALITY
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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QUALITY
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.
What other families should know
Educational value
Too much swearing
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QUALITY
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!).
What other families should know
Great role models
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