Customer Reviews

The Wind in the Willows

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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What a difference a month makes. Just a few weeks ago I pronounced Seastar Books' new edition of "The Wind in the Willows" the best gift edition of the 1908 children's classic since illustrator Ernest Shephard's classic version, due to the glorious acrylic and watercolor paintings by Mary Jane Begin ("The Porcupine Mouse," "A Mouse Told His Mother"). Yet surprisingly, it has already been surpassed, so I must pass the trophy to Harcourt's new unabridged edition. It's beautifully presented in a wide, landscape format with a satin ribbon bookmark to keep your place when the stories dutifully fulfill their destiny as bedtime reading. The notable source of the book's special appeal, of course, is the charming new artwork by extraordinary English watercolorist Michael Foreman. The pages are filled with gently expressive mixed-media paintings, from the end-papers map of Wildwood and its surroundings, to a rollicking train ride, and the wild rumpus at Toad Hall. And the illustrations are generously plentiful: nearly every two-page spread contains at least one color sketch. The sheer number of illustrations tremendously enriches the story, and the Foreman's light-handed technique, previously apparent in "Michael Foreman's Mother Goose," "Joan of Arc" and "Arthur, High King of Britain" -- is a lovely tribute to the similar style of Shephard himself. Well done.

It's been many years since I read this book and I got this one
for a niece (7 years old) and thought I'd read it first myself.

It is very nicely illustrated; kids will love the pictures
and the lettering is large, so if they are being read to, they
will find it easier to follow along.

That said, the level of comprehension is probably that of early teen, rather than pre-teen. Maybe that says more about my level of comprehension? :)

However, the book (stories) are classics and I am sure any child (or adult) would be delighted with this as a gift.

Soon after getting Wind in the Willows (Michael Hague, illustrator) from the library, my daughter fell in love - at bedtime, it's 'Toad! Toad!' and 'Hang spring cleaning!'. So, based on reviews of this edition, I decided to buy it. Sadly, we were both disappointed. The book is still great, but the illustrations in this edition are mediocre at best. Cartoonish and bland, they don't come close to doing justice to the author. The Michael Hague edition may have fewer illustrations, but they are deep, rich and glorious - just like the book. If your child is ready for this book, she's ready for 'grown-up' illustrations, too.
Do yourself a favor - get the Hague edition instead.

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.)