The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (1908)

Mole, Ratty, Badger, and the irrepressible Toad of Toad Hall — a gentle pastoral tale of friendship, adventure, and the English countryside. One of the most cherished children's books in the English language.

Historical Significance:
Kenneth Grahame, Secretary of the Bank of England, began the stories as bedtime tales and letters for his son Alastair ("Mouse"). Published in 1908, the book received mixed reviews — critics expected something different from the author of The Golden Age. But readers loved it, and it gradually became a classic. A.A. Milne's 1929 stage adaptation, Toad of Toad Hall, introduced the story to millions. President Theodore Roosevelt wrote Grahame a fan letter saying he had "read it and reread it, and have come to accept the characters as old friends."

This public domain classic was originally published in 1908. Free to read and share.