Product Description
The adventures of five children growing up in rural England at the turn of the century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A rare gem indeed
If you are picking up this book, you most likely have read its companion, THE GOLDEN AGE. This book continues the exploits of the children introduced in the first volume. Veddy, veddy English. Completely delightful, though.

I am not sure today's children would enjoy this book. The 19th Century British-isms will probably be quite tedious to any but the most precocious of children. And nothing really "happens" so to speak. No adventures of overwhelming magnitude. Rather, the children's imagination governs what happens throughout the book. Small things are turned into events of great importance. Children brought up with video games will most likely be bored. But for an adult, ahhh! This is a find. It will make you yearn for the idyllic childhood you never had or anybody had for that matter.

Each chapter is like sunlight shining on a bead of dew in April. Or something similarily poetic. Grahame's the better writer anyway.

Recalls the past
I'm sorry to see that Grahame's "Dream Days" is sounavailable. It's a deeply enjoyable book that demonstrates the power of "stories" to pull us out of the here and now and make us to standup straighter, to imagine ourselves as knights and ladies. Grahame's bookwould be great for older children (young ones may find themselves fidgeting- there is a certain amount of description and archaic language). Adultsmay actually enjoy this one more than kids.Reading it brought back to methe days of my youth, when a good story could fire my imagination for days,and the characters lived right along side of me, as sort of doppelgangers. This story reminds me of E. Nesbit, another great Edwardian children'swriter.Children should read these books, they are well-written and canhelp foster a love for the "right word" and the well-turnedphrase.Try to find a copy with Parrish's illustrations. This whole bookis just a wonderful aesthetic experience. ... Read more

Product Description
When a dragon is discovered up on the Downs, the Boy is not in the least surprised. He's always known the cave there was a dragon cave, so it seems only right for a dragon to be living in it.

The Boy decides to pay a visit to the cave, and he thinks he knows just what to expect. But this particular dragon is not a bit like the ones in fairy tales!
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Customer Reviews (8)

A Brilliantly Written Satirical Fantasy
The Reluctant Dragon is a mild-mannered specimen of his breed who, unlike the "active and earnest" fellows who used to charge around battling knights, has survived long enough to develop his passion for poetry.He is befriended by an intelligent young shepherd boy, who is placed in an awkward position when the villagers discover the dragon's presence.Although the dragon has harmed no one, the villagers are so aroused that they call on Saint George to battle this "pestilential scourge."When Saint George arrives the dragon flatly refuses to fight, and the boy is left to find a solution to the impasse.

This is a brilliantly written satirical fantasy, lambasting the traditional knight-and-dragon stories and providing a wonderful protagonist that boys of all ages (and many girls) will want to identify with.The fantastical pleasure of friendship with a dragon is enhanced by encounters with the famous knight, a theatrical battle, and plenty of intelligent wit to amuse both children and adults.The language is advanced, suitable for reading aloud or for confident self-readers.Some of the humor will be above young readers' heads, but there is enough action to make it interesting for younger ages.

The original classic version is charmingly illustrated in pen-and-ink by Ernest Shepard (who also illustrated the Winnie-the-Pooh books), but for younger readers a more colorful version may be more appealing.There is a visually pleasing paraphrase by Inga Moore, which unfortunately preserves almost none of Grahame's marvelous prose.The unabridged edition by Michael Hague has lavish illustrations on almost every page, and it is my favorite version.

Fly-in-your-Face Different....
Cute and entertaining; not THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, nor much like it, but a good short read, especially for dragon-lovers

Wag the Dog.
This delightful story tells the tale of a boy who meets a kindly dragon on the edge of town. The boy and the dragon become friends and start spending a lot of time together. Then the people of the town find out about the dragon and send for St. George.The boy meets with St. George and takes him to meet the dragon. All three soon become friends and find themselves in a quandry.George doesn't want to kill the dragon and the dragon has no desire to kill George.A plan is hatched and at the end of the story everyone lives happily.

It's really great reading this to younger children. It's got a great message about not prejudging others. It also shows how people can sometimes get everything they want, without anyone having to get hurt by it. That doesn't happen often, but it's nice to be reminded now and again that it can.

A Treasure!
Author of historical fiction.

This book is a treasure for your library. It brings endless pleasure, and is the kind of story that spans all ages.

It is the tale of a boy and his dragon who lives up on the Downs. In spite of the bad reputation dragons have, the boy and he become quick friends. Saint George shows up to do battle with the reluctant lizard, and the boy arranges a mock battle, unbeknown to the villagers that pleases everyone.

Andrew's book Report
(...) THE BOOK IS ABOUT THIS BOY WHO MEETS THIS DRAGON AND THEY
BEACOME FRIENDS THE DRAGON TELLS THE BOY STORY AND NONE ARE
TRUE. BUT ONE IS TRUE THE DRAGONS FAUTHER DIED WHEN A KNIGHT
FOUND OUT ABOUT HIM WHEN THE DRAGON WAS LITTLE. THE KID
HEARS ABOUT A KNIGHT NAMED ST. GEORGE HE TELLS ST. GEORGE
ABOUT THE DRAGON. THE NEXT DAY THE KID SHOWS ST. GEORGE THE
THE DRAGON THE DRAGON DID NOT WHANT TO FIGHT. THE NEXT DAY
ST. GEORGE TOLD SOME OF THE DRAGONS TALES TO THE VILLAGE.
THE TALES WHERE ABOUT KNIGHTS AND DRAGONS FIGHTING. THAT
AFTER NOON THE DRAGON HID IN THE CAVE AND ST. GEORGE FAKED
TO KILL THE DRAGON AND WAS FAMOUS.

(...) ... Read more

Product Description
From the imaginative author of "The Wind in the Willows," an enchanting pair of books that map the imaginative landscape of childhood. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful book
My copy of this book is the 1993 hardcover from Ten Speed Press with art by Maxfiled Parrish. It is an exact copy of the 1900 edition, which I could never afford. The art by Maxfield is stunning, and of course the book itself is a treat no matter whose artwork is in it. The author knows how to rleocate in each of us, the child we once were. Adter all, he also gave us "Dream Days", and "The Wind In The Willows". You can't go wrong with this book.

K. Grahame Examines Childhood
Kenneth Grahame's rich, elegant writing make "The Golden Age" a joy to read and reread.While it is a story of children in late Victorian England, it is not a childish book.Rather, it is an examination of how children view the world and are confounded by the actions of the adults around them.Grahame had a wonderful knack for presenting the child's point of view without being cutesy or condescending - no other author has as successfully done this.Nor does he present the typical Victorian view that children are all little angels and always innocent.All adults should read this book - it makes one stop and examine one's priorities and will encourage you recapture a zest for life and imagination. ... Read more

Product Description
"One cannot for a moment accept The Golden Age and Dream Days as children's books. Wherever they are found in the juvenile section of a library, they are mistakenly placed there," writes Vernon Watkins, in his Foreword to the works that first earned Kenneth Grahame his unique place in the world of literature. In this series of tales of five orphaned children who live with relatives in an English country house, the author's superbly modulated prose captures the sensuousness, the mercurial temper, and the fantasy life of childhood. Neither sentimental nor condescending, with perfect sympathy and gentle humor, Grahame creates a world in which each child is a distinctive individual, adults are regarded as doubtful guests, and every passing moment brings the promise of rare adventure. The host of readers who treasure his classis Wind in the Willows will find further evidence of Kenneth Grahame's singular genius in these delightful stories. They are, in the works of the poet Swinburne, "well-nigh too praiseworthy for praise. The art of writing adequately and receptively about children is among the rarest and most precious of all arts." ... Read more

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Product Description
A classic of magical fancy and enchanting wit, this children's tale follows the adventures of an intrepid quartet of heroes-Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and the incorrigible Toad.Amazon.com Review
"[Mole] thought his happiness was complete when, as he meanderedaimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fedriver. Never in his life had he seen a river before--this sleek,sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping thingswith a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on freshplaymates that shook themselves free, and were caught and heldagain." Such is the cautious, agreeable Mole's first introductionto the river and the Life Adventurous. Emerging from his home at MoleEnd one spring, his whole world changes when he hooks up with thegood-natured, boat-loving Water Rat, the boastful Toad of Toad Hall,the society- hating Badger who lives in the frightening Wild Wood, andcountless other mostly well-meaning creatures. Michael Hague'sexquisitely detailed, breathtaking color illustrations on almost everygenerous spread--along with Kenneth Grahame's elegant, delightfullyold-fashioned characterizations of the animals--make this book awonderful read-aloud. Grahame's The Wind in the Willows hasenchanted readers for four generations, and this lavishly illustratedgift edition is perhaps the finest around. (All ages, or 9 to12)

This reviews refers to ISBN 0805002138. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (146)

A Bedtime Story
This is a well told, simply beautiful, version of The Wind in the Willows. Children of all ages (toddlers to older adults) will love it. The music is very soothing making it the perfect bedtime story. I played this for my daughter when she was young and find that I still love to fall to sleep to it in September, when the air has a hint of crispness as Summer turns to Fall. I have purchased it three times, already. I've never found it on DVD.

Very happy with this item
I am very happy to have this.I had the VCR tapes, and wanted to upgrade to DVD.These movies were very hard to find for a reasonable price, but this seller provided exactly what I needed.

Wind in the Willows
I have been a fan of Wind in the Willows since I read the stories as a small child in England.They are great classics. I also have read the stories and watched the DVD's with my grandsons, who call me Pop Pop. Last year I took the liberty of writing fantasy stories about their imaginary adventures as junior Jedi Knights. It's called "The Book Of Funtastic Adventures" and is available on amazon.com In two of the adventures the boys fall down a rabbit hole, go back in time and meet Mole, Ratty, and Toad. This time Toad is into flying machines and is driving across his lawn at Toad hall much to the concern of Badger. The boys arrive and Toad wants them to experience the flying machine so he persuades them to climb in, promising the boys and Badger that he is just taxing across the lawn and will not fly, as he has no insurance and hasn't had any training. Unfortunately Toad gets carried away and takes off with the boys on a hilarious, crazy, adventure. The Book of Funtastic Adventures:Silly Bedtime Stories to Make Children Laugh

The Riverbank Cure
This childhood favorite is as fresh and charming as when it was first published. Yes, I admit I may be somewhat nostalgic, for I remember my grandparents reading me a picture book version of some of the stories when I was a little girl. But I have reread the book over the years and even enjoyed the play, TOAD OF TOAD HALL. As an adult I still delight in the antics of our animal friends as they face the joys and challenges of riverbank life.

The four protagonists remind us of folks we know, which endears them to us with their all-too-human dreams and foibles.Ratty, the water rat, is the sensible Brains of the outfit; Mole with his dreams of exploration aboveground is the Heart; gruff and tough Badger, who hates being disturbed during hibernation, is the Muscle of the group. Then comes The Toad who provides comic relief in the form of his vanity, childishness and his utter disregard for property, the law, and the feelings of others.Both people and animals must adapt to survive in the forest and streams of life--learning to rely on and value true Friendship.

Exhausted from spring cleaning Mole sets out to discover the world Aboveground, where he find the joys of riverbank Life--after almost drowning--with his new friend, host and mentor, Ratty. But beware the deadly perils lurking in the adjacent Wild Wood, whose denizens chivvy and harass the river bankers! Kenneth Graham weaves a delightful tale with willow strands of comraderie, dedication to ideals and self sacrifice. Come ride the roads with Toady in his stolen motor car, and scull down the river with Ratty.Savor the sentimental whisperings of Home with kindly Mole; join the search for lost Porky. Finally: cheer the ranks of Badger's Avengers!But will any Intervention succeed in reforming the irrepressible Toad?

This beloved children's classic combines humor and pathos with lively adventure in an animal realm which parallels human endeavor. This book is a true gem, to be rediscovered by successive generations and eagerly read by children of all ages!

A Classic Fantasy that Should Not Be Missed
A lonely mole, exasperated with Spring cleaning, abandons his home and goes for a long jaunt ending at a river, where he meets a friendly river rat.The rat invites him to an extended stay at his home, introducing him to all the local animals: the lively otter, stalwart badger, and reckless toad.Thus follow some of the most implausible and wonderful adventures ever to enthrall a young reader.The story delights with what C.S. Lewis calls "scandalous escapism," yet within the animals' adventures, dangers, and reveries, if you are looking for them, you will find timeless moral qualities: the value of friendship, the beauty of unblinking courage, and the consequences of foolishness.It really should not be missed.

Parents will need to use discernment when considering whether to read chapter 7, in which Rat and Mole encounter and worship a "wood-god" who resembles the mythical Pan.This chapter does provide a calming respite from Toad's breakneck adventures, but some parents may choose to skip this chapter until their children can discern the difference between this creature and the God of their own faith.In addition, parents may want to discuss a passing reference in chapter 10 to a gypsy (Roma) man as one accustomed to horse-stealing.This stereotype of Roma, so prevalent in the past century and continuing into the present, has caused much persecution for this people.

Kenneth Grahame's brilliant prose is full of unusual and enriching words, making it excellent as a read-aloud for early readers, and good as a read-alone for confident readers.Precocious pre-readers will also be able to enjoy the story, although they will miss many of its complexities.

There are a great number of illustrated versions of the book, many of them abridged.Michael Hague's unabridged version depicts the story in exuberant oil paintings, with period costumes and architecture basically consistent with the book's original publication in 1908. ... Read more

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Dream Days and The Golden Age ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Every family's heritage
Your heritage is part of your culture that is part of what bonds families. These stories will be shared experiences for the life of your family. Read them as adults or children, but read and reread them. You will always treasure the experience.
Dr. John S. Clayton, Sr. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the much-loved classic tales of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad. When Mole goes boating with Ratty instead of doing his spring-cleaning, he discovers a whole new world. As well as adventures on the river and in the Wild Wood, there are high jinks on the open road with that reckless ruffian, Mr Toad of Toad Hall. Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad become the firmest of friends, but after Toad's latest escapade, can they join together and beat the wretched weasels once and for all? "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame is one of the twelve wonderful classic stories being relaunched in "Puffin Classics" in March 2008. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Complex
This was a very interesting book. As I read it I felt like Toad was a `Prodigal Son', who came back only far enough to receive acceptance, then returned to his bad habits till he was in trouble again.

It reminded me much of myself, playing at being Christian before really giving Christ all areas of my life. Like Toad I would repent, but then not really change.

Rat was wise and resourceful, Mole was tender and caring and awe-full like a child yet also very wise. Badger is like a wise mature old mentor or guide, sent to give direction, and lead one to find one's own purpose in life.

Yet the mix of Animal and Human society just did not make sense to me. It felt like a badly planned Narnia novel. It did not explain how the animal and human worlds came to interact and share a language or culture.

But over all it was a fun read even if dry in some spots.

(First written as Journal Reading Notes in 1999.)
... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Bring back the old!
We've been fortunate enough to see a couple of the stories live on the stage at the Broward Center for Performing Arts, and my four year old loved it! I immediately went home and ordered him the books to keep his interest evolving. He loves these stories, and loves talking about his experience at the theater after reading them! The stories bring back memories from my childhood also, so I enjoy reading them too. :) They are great stories about friendship and adventures. ... Read more

Product Description
To celebrate The Wind in the Willows, scholar Annie Gauger offers this beautifully illustrated edition of Kenneth Grahame’s classic—complete with rare photographs of the Grahames, their friends, and illustrations from the first five editions.“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”—the Water Rat to the Mole

An instant bestseller upon its initial publication in 1908, The Wind in the Willows has become one of the beloved stories of all time. How could Ratty and Mole have known when they took to the river over one hundred years ago that they would begin a phenomenon that would produce one of the most oft-quoted lines in British literature, and inspire everyone from the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh to Pink Floyd? Drawing from more than a decade of research, Annie Gauger, one of the world’s leading experts on Kenneth Grahame and The Wind in the Willows, now presents a fascinating new annotated edition that reintroduces readers to Otter, curmudgeonly Badger, and rollicking, boastful Toad, while revealing the secrets behind this treasured classic.

In The Annotated Wind in the Willows, readers will discover the sheer joy of the original text, restored to the original 1908 version, illustrated with hundreds of full-color images—including the beloved drawings by E. H. Shepard and Arthur Rackham. This edition also includes Shepard’s famous map of the Wild Wood and rarely seen images by illustrators Graham Robertson, Paul Bransom, Nancy Barnhart, and Wyndham Payne.

In an illuminating preface, Gauger explains how Grahame came to write the novel, which began as a bedtime story and then became a series of letters he wrote to his son, Alastair. This edition reproduces the original letters in their entirety and includes nearly a thousand delightful annotations on everything from automobiles (Toad drove an Armstrong Hardcastle Special Eight) and early motorcar etiquette to modern manifestations (Disneyland’s Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride). She reveals how William John Cavendish Bentinck-Scott, the peculiar Fifth Duke of Portland, built an extensive network of underground tunnels, thus inspiring the character of Badger, and she puts Grahame’s work in literary context, comparing him to Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, A. A. Milne, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Finally, new to this edition, long buried in the Kenneth Grahame papers, are the notes, letters, and writings by Alastair Grahame and his governess, including several pieces by Kenneth Grahame himself that have never been published before.

With a stunning, lyrical tribute to Grahame by Brian Jacques, the internationally best-selling author of the Redwall series, The Annotated Wind in the Willows should prove a most beautiful and enduring tribute to Grahame’s masterpiece. 182 illustrations, color throughout ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great background -- flawed annotations
Martin Gardner's classic "Annotated Alice" is indispensable. Annie Auger's "Annotated Wind in the Willows" is a good beginning, but needs serious revision before it attains classic status.
The book is beautiful.
The photos and samples of classic "Wind in the Willows" illustrators (up to and including Ernest Shepard's "standards") are superb.
The background information about Kenneth Grahame, his life and family, and the beginning of "Wind in the Willows" in his own turn-of-the-century life (a banker who became a Governor of the Bank of England, who was happier messing about in boats and rambling over the Downs like a bachlor), and in his bed-time tales and letters for his son Alistair, is outstanding.
The prefatory appreciation by Robin Jacques (famous for the talking-animal fantasy adventure series "Redwall") is interesting, but flawed in places. Jacques doesn't know "Wind in the Willows" as well as he might, fascinating though his views are.
Many of Annie Auger's annotations are spot on, and will shed light for readers who may not be familiar with Grahame's historical context (England in 1908, or shortly before), the language of the times, and the life of that era, upstairs and downstairs. The exquisite "Englishness" has cried out for sensitive annotation, particularly for modern readers more familiar with TVs, computers, and James Bond, or Harry Potter. You almost have to be a keen Dickensian, a Baker Street afficionado, or far from the madding crowd, or a Janeite, to be able to tune into some of Grahame's language.
But sadly some, even many, of Auger's annotations are misleading, and some are just plain wrong.
If only it were not so.
As an example, the "truncheons" brandished by the (PLOT SPOILER) people pursuing one of our heroes, are NOT "in other words, improvised weapons". They are standard police issue (on both sides of the Atlantic)!
Another example: otters and badgers are actually larger members of the weasel, ferret and stoat family -- something that Auger neglects to mention, even if only to say that this zoological fact does not matter much, because Otter and Badger are who they are, and, as characters, simply utterly different from the weasels and stoats and ferrets of the Wild Wood.
Similarly, Auger (and Jacques) believes that Rat is a rat (as in black "rattus rattus" or brown "rattus norvegicus"), the kind we don't like. No, no! Grahame makes this absolutely clear: Rat is a WATER RAT -- a totally different species, and not a noxious pest.
When annotation details get this wrong, readers are in serious danger.
I look for, and am privately developing, necessary revisions to make a NEW REVISED EDITION that will be a CLASSIC.
Until then, we can enjoy the good things we have, and be on guard -- a good dictionary, and some common sense is a great help!
John Gough -- jugh@deakin.edu.au -- Deakin University, Australia

Anmnotated Wind in the Willows
Any new issue of this book is a treat. I enjoyed the examples of different illustrators, especially Nancy Barnhart's at the end of chapters. For people over seventy, brought up in England, much of the information may not be new, but we are a dying breed and it is necessary and well done. Bravo!.
Margaret Blair

Wind in the Willows- Annotated
This is a great book for those of us who like the old time classics that also have such great history attached to it. The book itself has a very good intro to the history of the book, the various printings and the illustrations and the settings etc. Reading the text with the accompanying annotations is a joy so that you fully understand what is going on, interpretations, and historical background. I thought that the combination was terrific.

I disagree with G. Ross
Clearly G Ross didn't read the Foreward enough to understand the cache of research and letters hidden away in libraries in Texas and the UK that provide an entire new context to the work.

Well, written, beautiful, a fine piece of scholalry work that as another reviewer said you can enjoy with your kids and an adult an appreciate it on a whole new level.

Beautiful book for kids, fascinating insights for adults
Sure, my kids enjoyed the story, but I loved getting a chance to see the connections and influences that tie this book to so many classic books and authors.Really fascinating.And we loved the illustrations! ... Read more

Product Description
The boy who finds the dragon in the cave knows it is a kindly, harmless one, but how can he convince the frightened villagers and especially St. George the dragon killer that there is no cause for concern? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Beautiful illustrations, but text is abridged
I was disappointed to find that this edition is abridged by Inga Moore.My children loved it, and the illustrations are whimsically delightful, but I was expecting and hoping for Kenneth Grahame's original, classic style.For the very young reader, the abridging might be appropriate.My littlest (3.5yo) finds it easier to sit through this shortened version.I noticed that the reference to the badger, which the townspeople were holding captive in anticipation of having "a little fun," was among what was cut -- so again, for a young reader this might be a more appropriate edition.This, combined with the lovely illustrations, was what caused me to give it 4 stars.However, some of the most humorous and witty turns of phrase of the original are missing here, leaving me somewhat disappointed with the end result.

The Dragon is as an Old Friend!
Summary:A comical story of what first appears to be a threatening dragon who the setting's people want to slay.The dragon, however, is of no threat.When St. George is sent to "take care of it" the dragon cowers.When faced with this threat he sullenly, but humorously, replies ". . . Say he can write if he likes, but I can't give him an interview.I am not seeing anybody at present" (page not numbered).The three end fast friends and an uncertain threat is no longer a bother.
The author creates a believable character of a harmless dragon.What usually is portrayed as evil and dangerous, the persona of the dragon generates into a believable story.The twist of the dragon being afraid of St. George adds to the imaginable meaning the writer wants to evolve.Carefully setting the story, the author helps establish the voice of the characters.It evolves into a theme that proves that "things aren't always as they appear."

Wonderful book.
Fanciful and charming. I enjoyed reading it to my nephew and he loved it too. The artwork is lovely also. I'm looking forward to reading it again, with or without my nephew.

fun
this is a great kids book. and even i love anything that rhymes. thank you so much.

Cute kids book... Prefer no abridging
I bought this book for my future child (due Feb 2006) as part of my growing library.I read it through and thought it was cute, if a bit antiquated (what do you expect for a book that was written over 100 years ago?)Basically, a young boy befriends a dragon.When the townsfolk realize the dragon exists, they call upon a champion to vanquish him, blaming the dragon for crimes that he didn't commit.The boy talks to the champion about his friend and they all agree to stage a fight, rather than fight to the death.Once the play fight is over (the champion only gives the dragon a small flesh wound), it is agreed by all that the dragon will not harm anyone and the townsfolk will stop telling lies about the dragon.Nice moral story.

My only problem with the book is that it has been "sensitively abridged".I'm not sure what that means for "The Reluctant Dragon", but my "sensitively abridged" copy of "The Wind in the Willows" (also by Kenneth Graham) edits out silly things like "splashes of whitewash all over his black fur".If the book has to be so politically correct that it can't even refer to the color of an animal's fur, I'm not sure that I really want to associate with the edition.I'd be curious to compare this edition of "The Reluctant Dragon" with the original text now. ... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

You get what you pay for
"The Wind in the Willows" remains a masterpiece, with adventures and talking animals to appeal to the kiddies, and lyrical descriptions and dry humor for their parents - but this edition is missing not only Ernest Shepard's evocative (and, some would say, essential) drawings, but every last one of the songs - and that really eviscerates the book. I don't know if the other versions available for Kindle have the entire book, but it would be worth paying something to get the real thing instead of just a part of it. ... Read more

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Literature/Biography ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very informative and fairly entertaining.
As a self-proclaimed James Barrie freak, I've read numerous books and newspaper-magazine articles about him. The Barrie chapter in Inventing Wonderland is definetly one of the most informative, but it loses a few points in the entertainment department. I read the Carroll, Barrie, and Milne chapters and thought that Jackie Wullschlager tends to examine her subjects a little too closely. At times, her meaning becomes lost in a pile of pop psychobabble, but the overall impressions were very clear (especially Carroll's disturbing fixation with little girls). Especially touching were A.A. Milne's bittersweet descriptions of pride in his adult son Christopher Robin, but at the same time longing to play with his little boy just once more. Such nostalgic, personal pieces make the book is beautiful, but it would be about a hundred times more beautiful if the author had kept the stories a little simpler.

Those Strange Victorians
Victorians are experiencing something of a comeback after decades of censure as the strange, repressed, half-crazy relatives we don't want to tell anyone about. We are discovering that the Victorians were not so different from us.

The Victorians did, however, produce their own brand of eccentricity and none are as delightfully eccentric as the Victorian/Edwardian writers for children discussed in Inventing Wonderland. Jackie Wullschlager starts with that greatest of all Wonderland writers, the master himself Lewis Carroll and ends with Jazz Age Pooh creator A.A. Milne.

The eccentricity of these Victorian writers is their confident, and sometimes troubling, obsession with childhood itself. Wullschlager assures us, correctly, that these writers' obsessions did not cross the line into pedophilic behavior. To 21st century sensibilities this seems scarcely creditable, especially after reading letters by Lewis Carroll to various girl children. Carroll, Lear, Barrie and Grahame's effusions about childhood can only be understood within the context of the Victorian age, the age that produced and adored Wordsworth's overly quoted (then and now) "But trailing clouds of glory do we come/From God, who is our home" (Ode: Intimations of Immortality From Recollections of Early Childhood).

Wullschlager is, I think, a bit too dismissive of Milne, who is regarded in the text as a has-been, clinging to the last remnants of the Victorian celebration of childhood. Wullschlager's overall point in this regard, however, is well made. The Victorians invented and took seriously the concept of childhood as a wonderland. Consequently, they produced children's writers of a truly magnificent stature. When the concept of childhood=innocence & pleasure was abandoned, in the early 20th century (thank you, Freud!), the result was an almost tongue-in-cheek parody of the earlier writers. It just wasn't possible to take childhood that seriously anymore.

Writers for children have of course continued to producemasterpieces, largely in the fantasy area, but that particular brand of unself-conscious Victorian nonsense and idyllicism may be lost forever. The Victorians are not as strange to us as we may like to believe, but they are certainly unreproducable.

Recommendation: Interesting, well-written, well-paced. Not the most complete biographical sketches but a complete analysis of biography and art. Give it a try. ... Read more

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Rat and Mole enjoy an afternoon outing on the river in this first chapter of "The Wind in the Willows." ... Read more

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The Wind in the Willows needs no introduction - children have enjoyed the exploits of its characters for generations. Few would guess that its author, Kenneth Grahame, was a tortured soul. Marriage to the predatory Elspeth Thomson, when both seemed destined for the single life, was a shared fantasy of invented truth. Out of that union came a catastrophically spoiled son, 'mouse', for whom that greatest of children's stories was written. It was the child's tragedy that he was sucked into the unreality of his parents' lives and did not survive it, ending his life in suicide.Alison Prince brings her own highly acclaimed expertise as a children's writer to this remarkably perceptive biography of Kenneth Grahame. Drawing on hitherto unpublished material she uncovers layer upon layer of Grahame's personality to reveal the truth behind the myth of this intriguing man, 'the tortured soul of Mr Toad'.'Alison Prince describes the grim story of Grahame's marriage and fatherhood squarely and sensitively.' Independent'A meaty, well-constructed biography.' Allan Massie Daily Telegraph ... Read more

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In Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows: A Children's Classic at 100, editors Jackie C. Horne and Donna R. White have assembled a collection of essays that look at the book in terms of class, gender and nationality, as well as its construction of heteronormative masculinity, the very English novel's appeal to Chinese readers, and the meaning of a text in which animals can be human-like, pets, servants, and even food. ... Read more