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Wind in the Willows
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Wind in the Willows Paperback -

by Kenneth Grahame

About this book

The Wind in the Willows is a classic children's book by Kenneth Grahame, published in 1908. The story follows the adventures of four animal friends - Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad - as they explore the English countryside, battle against weasels and stoats, and learn about the value of friendship, loyalty, and the joys of a simple life. Through their adventures, the characters discover the importance of home and the pleasures of a peaceful existence. With its charming characters, vivid descriptions of nature, and timeless themes, The Wind in the Willows remains a beloved classic today.


From the publisher

The Wind in the Willows is a classic of children's literature, 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 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.

First Edition Identification

Methuen and Company published the First UK Edition, First Printing hardcover in 1908, London. The edition is bound in green-blue cloth boards with intricate gold gilt illustrations and lettering. The first edition dust wrapper can be identified by the publisher’s printed price of 6’- on the front panel on peach-tan paper with black inked illustration. 


Methuen and Company published the First Illustrated Edition hardcover in 1931, London. The illustrated edition was made in a set of 200 copies signed by both Grahame and Shepard, printed on handmade paper. Grahame's children's classic was originally published in 1908 with only a frontispiece for an illustration. Although the work was subsequently published with illustrations by several artists, it was E. H. Shepard who brought the narrative to life with his evocative line drawings


Details

  • Title Wind in the Willows
  • Author Kenneth Grahame
  • Binding Paperback
  • Pages 70
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
  • ISBN 9781983428036 / 1983428035
  • Weight 0.23 lbs (0.10 kg)
  • Dimensions 9 x 6 x 0.15 in (22.86 x 15.24 x 0.38 cm)
  • Ages 08 to 13 years
  • Grade levels 3 - 8
  • Reading level 1140
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

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