New Releases by Kenneth Grahame

"The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame is a classic children''s novel first published in 1908. Set in the English countryside, the story revolves around the adventures of anthropomorphic animals, primarily Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger. Here is a summary of the book: The story begins with Mole, a mild-mannered creature, growing tired of his humdrum life in his underground burrow. One spring day, he plucks up the courage to venture outside and is immediately captivated by the beauty of the natural world. He meets Rat, a water-loving, easygoing character, who introduces him to the joys of boating and the idyllic life along the riverbank. As Mole settles into his new life by the river, he becomes friends with Rat''s eclectic group of animal friends, including Badger, the wise and reclusive leader of the community. The animals enjoy picnics, boating, and simple pleasures while living harmoniously with nature. However, their peaceful existence is disrupted when the wealthy and reckless Toad of Toad Hall enters the scene. Toad is obsessed with the latest fads and adventures, which often lead to trouble. His reckless behavior, including a passion for fast cars and a series of reckless driving incidents, eventually lands him in prison. The majority of the story centers on the efforts of Rat, Mole, and Badger to reform Toad and help him overcome his reckless ways. Toad''s various misadventures, including a daring escape from prison and his struggle to regain Toad Hall from weasels and stoats, drive much of the plot. "The Wind in the Willows" is a tale of friendship, adventure, and the beauty of the natural world. It explores themes of loyalty, responsibility, and the contrast between a simple, contented life and one driven by materialism and folly. Kenneth Grahame''s enchanting prose and vivid descriptions of the English countryside have made this book a beloved classic that continues to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

"All this he saw, for one moment breathless and intense, vivid on the morning sky; and still, as he looked, he lived; and still, as he lived, he wondered." For more than a century, The Wind in the Willows and its endearing protagonists-Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and, of course, the incorrigible Toad-have enchanted children of all ages. Whether the four friends are setting forth on an exciting adventure, engaging in a comic caper, or simply relaxing by the River Thames, their stories will surprise and captivate you. Hailed as one of the most enduringly popular works of the twentieth century, this story is a classic of magical fancy and enchanting wit. Penned in lyrical prose, the adventures and misadventures of the book''s intrepid quartet of heroes raise fantasy to the level of myth. Reflecting the freshness of childhood wonder, it still offers adults endless sophistication, substance, and depth. The animals'' world embodies the author''s wry, whimsical, and unfailingly inventive imagination. It is a world that succeeding generations of both adult and young readers have found irresistible. But why say more? To use the words of the estimable Mr. Toad himself: "Travel, change, interest, excitement!...Come inside."

Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. 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 (with his ''Poop-poop-poop'' road-hogging new motor-car), 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. Grahame''s book was later dramatised by A. A. Milne, and became a perennial Christmas favourite, as Toad of Toad Hall. It continues to enchant and, above all perhaps, inspire great affection. About our Collector''s Editions: These new compact hardbacks will be cloth-bound, with matching coloured end papers, embossed gold and coloured blocking to enhance their beautiful, bespoke cover illustrations. The trim page size is 178 x 129mm.

The Wind in the Willows and its endearing protagonists--Mole, Mr. Toad, Badger, and Ratty--have enchanted children of all ages. Whether the four friends are setting forth on an exciting adventure, engaging in a comic caper, or simply relaxing by the River Thames, their stories are among the most charming in all English literature. This keepsake edition of Kenneth Grahame''s beloved novel features gorgeous art throughout, making it a must-have for every child''s library.

The Wind in the Willows is a children''s book by Scottish novelist Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternatingly slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animals: Mole, Rat (a European water vole), Toad, and Badger. They live in a pastoral version of Edwardian England.In 1908 Grahame retired from his position as secretary of the Bank of England. He moved back to Berkshire, where he had lived as a child, and spent his time by the River Thames, doing much as the animal characters in his book do - to quote, "simply messing about in boats" - and expanding the bedtime stories he had earlier told his son Alastair into a manuscript for the book.The novel was in its 31st printing when A. A. Milne adapted part of it for the stage as Toad of Toad Hall in 1929. The first film adaptation was produced by Walt Disney as one of two segments in the 1949 package film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.In 2003 The Wind in the Willows was listed at #16 in the BBC''s survey The Big Read.[1] More than a century after its original publication, it was adapted again for the stage, as a 2014 musical by Julian Fellowes. In his preface, A. A. Milne writes, One can argue over the merits of most books, and in arguing understand the point of view of one''s opponent. One may even come to the conclusion that possibly he is right after all. One does not argue about The Wind in the Willows. The young man gives it to the girl with whom he is in love, and if she does not like it, asks her to return his letters. The older man tries it on his nephew, and alters his will accordingly. The book is a test of character. We can''t criticize it, because it is criticizing us. ... It is a Household Book; a book which everybody in the household loves, and quotes continually; A book which is read aloud to every new guest and is regarded as the touchstone of his worth. But I must give you one word of warning. When you sit down to it, don''t be so ridiculous as suppose that you are sitting in judgement on my taste, or on the art of Kenneth Grahame. You are merely sitting in judgment on yourself. You may be worthy: I don''t know. But it is you who are on trial.

Musaicum Books presents the Musaicum Christmas Specials. We have selected the greatest Christmas novels, short stories and fairy tales for all those who want to keep the spirit of Christmas alive with a heartwarming tale. With the arrival of spring and fine weather outside, the good-natured Mole loses patience with spring cleaning. He flees his underground home, emerging to take in the air and ends up at the river, which he has never seen before. Here he meets Rat (a water vole), who at this time of year spends all his days in, on and close by the river. Rat takes Mole for a ride in his rowing boat. They get along well and spend many more days boating, with Rat teaching Mole the ways of the river…. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie.

The Wind in the Willows is a children''s novel by Scottish novelist Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternatingly slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animals: Mole, Rat (a European water vole), Toad, and Badger. They live in a pastoral version of Edwardian England. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie, and celebrated for its evocation of the nature of the Thames Valley.In 1908, Grahame retired from his position as secretary of the Bank of England. He moved back to Berkshire, where he had lived as a child, and spent his time by the River Thames, doing much as the animal characters in his book do - to quote, "simply messing about in boats" - and expanding the bedtime stories he had earlier told his son Alastair into a manuscript for the book.

The Wind in the Willows is a classic of children''s literature by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternately slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animal characters in a pastoral version of England. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie.

The Wind in the Willows is a children''s novel by Scottish novelist Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternatingly slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animals: Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger. They live in a pastoral version of Edwardian England.When Mole flees his little underground home he discovers new friends and adventures with Raj, Toad and Badger.This much-loved story has been carefully retold for young children to enjoy. With beautiful illustrations throughout, it provides the perfect introduction to a classic tale.

The Wind in the Willows is a children''s novel by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternately slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animals in a pastoral version of Edwardian England. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality and camaraderie, and celebrated for its evocation of the nature of the Thames Valley. In 1908, Grahame retired from his position as secretary of the Bank of England. He moved back to Berkshire, where he had lived as a child, and spent his time by the River Thames doing much as the animal characters in his book do - as the book says, "simply messing about in boats" - and expanding the bedtime stories he had earlier told his son Alastair into a manuscript for the book.

The Wind in the Willows is a children''s novel by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternately slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animals in a pastoral version of Edwardian England. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality and camaraderie, and celebrated for its evocation of the nature of the Thames Valley.

The Wind in the Willows is a classic of children''s literature by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternately slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animal characters in a pastoral version of England. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie.

Kenneth Grahame 8 March 1859 - 6 July 1932) was a British writer, most famous for The Wind in the Willows (1908), one of the classics of children''s literature. He also wrote The Reluctant Dragon; both books were later adapted into Disney films Kenneth Grahame was born on 8 March (1859) in Edinburgh, Scotland. When he was a little more than a year old, his father, an advocate, received an appointment as sheriff-substitute in Argyllshire at Inveraray on Loch Fyne. Kenneth loved the sea and was happy there, but when he was 5, his mother died from complications of childbirth, and his father, who had a drinking problem, gave over care of Kenneth, his brother Willie, his sister Helen and the new baby Roland to Granny Ingles, the children''s grandmother, in Cookham Dean in the village of Cookham in Berkshire. There the children lived in a spacious, if dilapidated, home, "The Mount", on spacious grounds in idyllic surroundings, and were introduced to the riverside and boating by their uncle, David Ingles, curate at Cookham Dean church. This delightful ambiance, particularly Quarry Wood and the River Thames, is believed, by Peter Green, his biographer, to have inspired the setting for The Wind in the Willows. He was an outstanding pupil at St Edward''s School in Oxford. During his early years at St. Edwards, a sports regimen had not been established and the boys had freedom to explore the old city with its quaint shops, historic buildings, and cobblestone streets, St Giles'' Fair, the idyllic upper reaches of the River Thames, and the nearby countryside.

First published in 1908, The Wind in the Willows is a literary classic which details a fantasy-esque adventure of four anthropomorphic animals (Toad, Rat, Badger and Mole) as they travel throughout their forest home. It is a classic novel that expertly details many large themes surrounding the human condition. Heavy with metaphor and symbolism, it is regarded as one the greatest books ever penned, not just for its thrilling subject matter and beautiful imagery, but also for its larger commentary on human emotions, social interaction and morality.

The Wind in the Willows (Japanese edition)

Grahame''s classic fantasy is told here. The book tells of the wild adventures of Mr. Toad. This edition also includes a biography of the books author, Kenneth Grahame.

The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaning his little home. First with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders and steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash; till he had dust in his throat and eyes, and splashes of whitewash all over his black fur, and an aching back and weary arms. Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing. It was small wonder, then, that he suddenly flung down his brush on the floor, said ''Bother!'' and ''O blow!'' and also ''Hang spring-cleaning!'' and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat. Something up above was calling him imperiously, and he made for the steep little tunnel which answered in his case to the gavelled carriage-drive owned by animals whose residences are nearer to the sun and air. So he scraped and scratched and scrabbled and scrooged and then he scrooged again and scrabbled and scratched and scraped, working busily with his little paws and muttering to himself, ''Up we go! Up we go!'' till at last, pop! His snout came out into the sunlight, and he found himself rolling in the warm grass of a great meadow.

Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) was a Scottish writer. From 1859 through 1908, he worked at the Bank of England, ending his career as its Secretary. Grahame''s output is slight but includes two of the great classics of children''s literature, "The Reluctant Dragon" (1898) and The Wind in the Willows (1908). The latter, his magnum opus, is a idyllic tale of the adventures of four animal friends: the Water Rat, Mole, Badger, and the irrepresible Mr. Toad. The book derives from bed-time stories he told his son, Alistair, who was the inspiration for Toad. Trashed by critics, it has none- the less been loved by generations of the and young at heart.

Kenneth Grahame''s classic story of adventure and loyalty has been stunningly re-imagined through the illustrations of David Roberts.

Kenneth Grahame''s classic comes alive in a gorgeous, annotated homage to this beloved masterpiece. An instant bestseller on its initial publication in 1908, The Wind in the Willows has become one of the greatest books in children''s literature. Hundreds of illustrations, including famous images by EH Shepard and Arthur Rackham, illuminate the adventures of Mole, Mr. Toad, Badger, Otter, River Rat, and all our other favorite characters. In addition to remarkable notes on automobiles (Toad drove an Armstrong Hardcastle Special Eight), picnics, Gypsies, caravans, old English mansions, peculiar dukes, and even modern manifestations (Disney''s ''Mr. Toad''s Wild Ride''), scholar Annie Gauger has uncovered extraordinary new material on Kenneth Grahame, his troubled family life, and the origins of the story. Her preface puts Grahame''s work in historical and literary context, and she provides biographies of all the illustrators. With a stirring introduction by Brian Jacques, The Annotated Wind in the Willows promises to become the authoritative edition of this classic work, published just in time to honor the author''s 150th birthday.