The Willows at Christmas [Hardcover]

William Horwood (Author), Patrick Benson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2001 | Age Level: 9 and up

The twelve days of Christmas are fast approaching and Mole is planning to enjoy every one of them with his River Bank friends. So when the normally cheerful Toad despairs at the arrival of Mrs. Ffleshe, an impossibly rude houseguest who every year sets out to protect Toad from overindulgence, Mole must do something about it. But the plan he hatches with Ratty, Badger, and Otter goes horribly wrong. With the prospect of spending Christmas in jail, Mole will have to work hard if he is to salvage some Christmas spirit for his friends.

The Willows at Christmas is the crowning achievement of William Horwood's enchanting sequels to Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. The new story is set just after the original, but before Horwood's critically acclaimed The Willows in Winter. It will give pleasure to the countless readers around the world who have reveled in each new work. Merry Christmas!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Mr. Mole, a newcomer to the River Bank community, has happily forged friendships with Ratty, Badger, Otter, and Toad, with whom he expects to celebrate Christmas. But Mole is baffled when his invitations are met coolly. Soon, the reason is revealed: Toad Hall used to be the center of the community's festivities, but now the horrible Mrs. Ffleshe swoops in each year and ruins the holidays. Mole decides to launch a campaign to bring Christmas back to the River Bank. The ride is not smooth, of course, and before the happy ending, we see Toad fling himself into the river, Mole get caught by weasel hoodlums, and the most magnificent jailbreak in history. Quite appropriate for children as well as adults, this fourth sequel to Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows is as delightful as its predecessors. The characters are well drawn, as the story perfectly demonstrates Mole's shy kindness, Toad's grandiosity, Ratty's resourcefulness, Otter's loyalty, and Badger's wisdom. With understated dialogue and endearing characters, this is a most pleasant celebration of the season. Beth Warrell
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

William Horwood is the author of the acclaimed Duncton trilogies.

Patrick Benson studied at the Chelsea Art School and St. Martin's School of Art.

Both live in England.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; 1st edition (November 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312283865
• ISBN-13: 978-0312283865
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,440,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 'tis the season to believe..., January 1, 2005

By 

Cipriano "www.bookpuddle.blogspot.com" (Planet Claire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Willows at Christmas (Hardcover)

This Christmas, just last week, I read this final installment in the continuing series of books by William Horwood. I've read his other three, and of course, Grahame's endearing and unforgettable template. This one, The Willows At Christmas leaves me wishing that there were more of the stories to read.

I am old.
But these stories refresh me, and rekindle the youngster in me.

All that Mole wants is a nice peaceful Christmas (don't we all?)... to have a little party on Twelfth Night, and sip his famous "sloe and blackberry" with his newly acquired friends Toad, Badger, Ratty and Otter. Along with this, a reunion with his long-lost sister would be nice also. He begins to try to arrange a get together at Mole End, but soon finds that a guest at Toad Hall is throwing the countryside into a state of fear and downright Yuletide attrition! Horwood introduces us to the villainous Mrs. Ffleshe... the veritable Cruella DeVille of the Riverbank! She has taken over Toad Hall and the once proud Toad is reduced to humiliating servitude until (no real surprise) even WORSE things happen to him!
Yep. Only THIS time Mole is also caught in the same trap, and Christmas joy of any kind now seems to be definitely beyond reach!
Every available resource and ingenuity must be called upon if Mole and Toad are to be rescued, and Christmas restored to its proper place of peace and joyful togetherness.
The Willows At Christmas is a great story about the power of friendship and loyalty, justice and forgiveness, and the beauty of reunion.
Horwood once again proves that he is worthy of carrying on in the tradition of the one and only Kenneth Grahame. A lofty task.
Is it only a book for kids?
Yes, but no matter what AGE they find themselves to be!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, Mr. Horwood!, July 6, 2009

By 

Portianay "portianay" (KY, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Willows at Christmas (Paperback)

If you just can never get enough of the original Wind in the Willows, Horwood does a more-than-passable job of fleshing out the story. He is at his best, however, in the characters of Toad and Mole. Love these books!