Reader discussion: The Wind in the Willows

Public reader discussion about The Wind in the Willows in the WeRead Catalog by Kenneth Grahame.

Thoughts on 'The Wind in the Willows'?

By Chilly_Ticket75

Honestly, I feel like this one doesn’t get enough attention these days. It’s really beautiful. I’ve always loved stories set in the English countryside, and Grahame’s writing just gets me—there are parts that are genuinely moving. That chapter “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” still gives me chills. Also, it feels like a pretty interesting take on The Odyssey, especially with the whole idea of what “home” means. I just wish I’d read it when I was younger, because I don’t have that same childhood nostalgia I get from something like The Hobbit—I only read it a few years ago. What did you think of it?

The Wind in the Willows illustrated by Inga Moore

By MouseBookish55

I read this with my kid earlier this year, and it was a really good experience.

Books that make you slow down and feel in-awe about the small wonders of life.

By YellowCricket1993

So, quick clarification because I’m realizing my thoughts are kind of messy here—I’m not saying I’m literally out there stopping to notice dew on a leaf or anything. But also… kind of? I hope that makes sense. I’m in my late 30s and I’ve always thought of myself as a “creative,” even though it’s been a long time (maybe way too long) since I was truly making things nonstop. I wrote stories/poems in elementary school, messed around with songs and comics in high school, and somehow kept finding little ways to express myself. Now I have a daughter who’s almost 4, and lately I feel like I’m getting some of my “me time” back. Not just that—like I’m becoming a different version of me. I’m messing around with a music project where I collect a bunch of field recordings and I’m learning instruments too, which is honestly something I’ve never been great at. And when I’m in that sound-collecting mindset, I feel way more childlike about everything again. Like actually paying attention to the small stuff—the birds, the wind, all the loud little thumps and bumps that come with parenting. It all feels so… alive. It also totally takes me back to being 12, in my bedroom, overdubbing cassette tapes with friends to make those dumb little songs. And now I’m doing something similar-ish with software on my Mac that basically mimics a ton of synths and stuff, so it’s kind of surreal. The other thing I’ve noticed is how much I usually rush past things. Like I’ll hear something beautiful and my brain immediately goes, “okay, what’s next?” I really want to slow down and get back into that awe, the tech-less childhood vibe, where you just soak it all in. Anyway—what books would you recommend for that sort of feeling? Fiction, non-fiction, science-y stuff, magical, self-help, history, whatever. I’m genuinely open. Thanks so much. Edit: Wow. I didn’t expect much and I just checked this after more than 24 hours and you all basically dumped your whole reading lives in the replies. Thank you! I’m excited to start digging through all of these.

What are your favorite books that leave you with a warm feeling inside?

By dreamsparcel62

I’m about 25–30 pages into a book I picked up because a used-book shop guy recommended it, and I honestly can’t tell yet if I’m really into it. I’m still early enough that it feels kind of premature to judge. I brought up *My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry* by Frederick Backman because I was looking for something kind of light. So far it’s been that, which is nice, but whether it’s actually well-written is kind of up in the air for me. What I’m wondering though is which books leave you walking away feeling good—like, good about life, good about reading, good about what you care about. They don’t even need to be super inspiring. I just want that “sitting outside with a cup of coffee on a warm spring day” kind of vibe.

This film haunted my dreams for years.

By Unwise

I don’t get how this is rated U at all—the black rabbit and the general freaked me out so bad. I had nightmares for months after reading it.

I'm reading The Wind in the Willows, and I feel like The Hobbit owes a lot to it.

By strangeteacuphoney

It starts with a mole who’s got this really neat, put-together little underground place, and he just gets tired of his usual routine, so he goes out to meet people and do all sorts of adventures. Also, spoilers for WitW and The Hobbit: I’m not saying anything bad about The Hobbit because I love it, but I’m starting to feel like Tolkien must’ve read WitW, and that The Hobbit probably would’ve turned out way different if he hadn’t.

Illustrated copy of Wind in the Willows

By BraveWonder

I’ve been trying to track down something pretty specific for a while, and I’m hoping folks here can point me in the right direction. The Wind in the Willows is one of my favorite books—I’ve got a few copies already, but none of them feel ideal for introducing it to my kid. What I’d really like is an illustrated version with a ton of pictures, kind of like the newer illustrated Harry Potter books, or even more like the original Basset books, not just one illustration every so often. Does anything like that actually exist?

Does anyone recognise this description of a specific audio book of wind in the willows?

By Paper-Teal83

I somehow ended up with my wife’s super sentimental “Wind in the Willows” CD playing in the car stereo… of a car we’ve just scrapped. Before I go full panic mode and head to the local scrapyard to save my marriage, can anyone help me track down the exact version if I describe it? My wife’s been waiting for our kids to finally get properly into it, and for the last couple months it’s been the go-to CD every time. So yeah, not the best bank holiday weekend to discover it might be gone for good. Anyway, I’m finding there are loads of “Wind in the Willows” audio versions, including loads of audiobooks on Audible, and I’ve tried about 18 so far… none of them sound like the one we had. I’ve got a photo of the CD cover too. It’s printed really generically (mentions Melanie Cargill) and it honestly gives zero info about which recording it is. It looks like one of those gift CD-card things from “The CDCARD Company”. I’d guess it was bought in the late 90s/early 00s in the UK. What I remember most: - it starts with this really jaunty instrumental bit for about a weirdly long minute-ish, then it kicks off with the usual ratty/mole boat ride, and toad ends up with a caravan but then falls in love with motorbikes - after each story there’s this great tune sung by a woman with a really posh, almost operatic kind of accent - the lyrics start (pretty much) like: “The Wind in the Willows, with water rat and mole… the badger is kind and good…” and there are more verses after that, including one rude one about Toad not having any friends Also the narrator does this really distinctive “toot toot!” sound for the motorbike horns—kind of distant/ethereal with a sound effect layered on top. I think it’s the same guy doing the whole thing, just switching voices for the characters. Quick update: I found the CD listing on the Wayback Machine at CDcard.com, but it doesn’t say who recorded it. I’m guessing it might’ve originally been a cassette recording that got copied onto a CD at the time, but I’m not sure.

The Wind In The Willows

By Silent-Fox2002

What’s your favorite version of The Wind in the Willows?

I'm looking to get an illustrated edition of "The Wind in the Willows" but there's sooo many!

By QuietHawk4559

I’ve been digging around online looking for illustrated editions I might want to get someday, but I’m not sure what to pick—does anyone have one they really love and would recommend? Also, I’m really into art styles like Beatrix Potter. (And yeah, I haven’t read it before.)

Looking for a relaxing book, favorite book of all time is the Wind in the Willows.

By Midnight_Door2001

Honestly life is already stressful enough, so I really like books that don’t have a bunch of heavy conflict—more calm, cozy settings, and just easy fun. I mostly want YA stuff. I’m an adult guy, and I still reread *The Wind in the Willows* (yeah, a kids’ book) like four times a year. I read a ton, but I always end up coming back to it. It’s like an escape into a simple, sweet world, and I’d really love more variety and new books I’ll end up loving. Thanks :)

Excerpt from "The Wind in the Willows"

By folioHardcover

I’m new here, so not totally sure if this fits, but I really wanted to share a passage I’m obsessed with. It’s a long excerpt, but honestly I’d post the whole chapter if I could (“The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”) because the whole thing is amazing on its own... basically a masterpiece inside a masterpiece. The setup is that Mole and Rat are on the river looking for Baby Otter, who’s missing and thought to be dead. Then from the boat they get drawn toward the shore by this beautiful sound. Slowly, and with no hesitation at all, they cross through the rough water and tie up by the edge of the island. They land in silence and make their way through the flowers and sweet-smelling plants until they reach this little green lawn surrounded by crab-apple, wild cherry, and sloe trees. “This is the place from my dream, the place the music played to me,” the Rat whispers, like he’s in a trance. “Here, in this holy place, here if anywhere, surely we’ll find Him!” Then Mole suddenly feels this huge awe come over him, like it turns him weak and pins him in place. It’s not fear exactly, because he feels peaceful and happy too, but it’s this overwhelming feeling that something very important and very close is there. He turns and sees Rat right beside him, shaken and trembling. Everything around them is silent, except the birds, and the light just keeps getting brighter. He probably never would’ve looked up if the piping hadn’t stopped but the feeling of being called still felt too strong to ignore. So he lifts his head, and in that bright dawn he sees the Friend and Helper himself: the horns, the face, the eyes looking down with that almost joking kindness, the arms, the pan-pipes, the huge relaxed body, and Baby Otter asleep right there between his hooves, completely safe and content. Mole sees it all for a second, and still keeps living, and still keeps wondering. “Rat!” he manages to whisper. “Are you afraid?” “Afraid?” says Rat, with his eyes full of love. “Afraid? Of Him? Oh, never, never! And yet — and yet — oh, Mole, I am afraid!” Then they both crouch down and worship. And then the sun comes up in this huge golden disc, and the first light hits them straight in the eyes. When they can look again, the vision is gone, and all that’s left is the birds singing at dawn. Then, as they’re standing there kind of blank and miserable because they slowly realize everything they saw and lost, this little breeze comes up off the water and moves the trees and flowers and blows over their faces, and with that comes forgetfulness. Which I guess is the last kind gift the god gives to the little animals he helps, so the memory won’t hang over them and ruin their happiness later. I really love the writing style in this whole book, but this passage, and really this whole chapter, is just so beautiful and poetic. The whole book is poetic, but in a way that can be hard to read sometimes. It always makes me laugh that this is called a children’s book, because the writing can be really complex and you have to read between the lines a lot. That honestly makes it even better. Also, a little side note, I kind of love this passage because in a silly way I like to imagine myself like Pan here — always happy to help little animals out of trouble. :)

Which book do you hate the most?

By putty_sky

Honestly, for me it’s got to be The Wind in the Willows. I tried reading it when I was little and it was so painfully boring that it basically killed my interest in novels for a few years. Then I tried again as a teen and I couldn’t even get through the first chapter without nodding off. I might give it another shot someday, but only if I’m desperate enough to go for the “medically induced coma” option. What about everyone else?

[1984] The Wind in the Willows- Several Series 1 episode of Cosgrove Hall's Stop Motion Animated Adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's Classic

By coastrestless2000

Wow, this is way better than I remembered. It’s really beautiful—like, the set details are insane. Thanks for sharing this.

The Wind in the Willows: abridged vs. unabridged editions

By greenMeadow1994

I’ve been looking into different collectible editions of this book, and I’ve found a couple I’m really drawn to—one is abridged and the other is unabridged. What’s making me want them so badly is the illustrations: the abridged version has art by Inga Moore, and the unabridged one has illustrations by Robert Ingpen. I’d probably choose the unabridged one if I’m being honest, but I keep coming back to the Inga Moore pictures. Has anyone read both, or at least knows how the abridged version compares? Like, what exactly gets cut out, and does it change the story in any noticeable way?

Book recommendations for Kindergartener who is still learning how to read

By bronzetable

My daughter turns 6 in a few months and she really likes reading. I grew up in a place where English isn’t the main language, so I’m honestly not sure what the “right” books are like for kids her age in the US. She’s in kindergarten and her reading is a bit ahead of most of her classmates right now. She gets super excited when she can read books—like she’ll tell me “I can read it!”—and she’s totally comfortable with level one. Level two is harder for her though. She says they feel longer, and she gets tired reading them, even if she can still manage them. She just reads really slowly. She did Elephant & Piggie and now she’s moved on from that. She likes Pizza and Taco a lot, and she’s interested in similar series, especially the ones with lots of pictures/illustrations. We also have a Yoto player, and she listens to Magic Tree House a ton, but she’s never actually read one herself. I’ve been seeing other kids starting graphic novels or chapter books (like Princess in Black or Junie B. Jones) around this age, but I don’t think she’s ready yet. Even some kids in kindergarten read Magic Tree House books already, and that feels way above where my daughter is right now. I’d really like to find books she can read on her own. Right now I’m kind of stuck. She’s showing interest in Captain Underpants, so I’m planning to let her try one next week, but I’d still love any suggestions for what might fit her level. Thanks!

Unabridged illustrated version of The Wind in the Willows

By hareStill1977

I’m looking for an unabridged copy of The Wind in the Willows that also has good, colored illustrations. I did find some versions with black-and-white images that seem to be closer to the original, but there weren’t many of them, and a couple of the ones I saw were really small. Basically I want something adults can actually enjoy too (so unabridged), but with illustrations that kids would like as well.

Books similar to The Wind in the Willows

By footnote_cliff1986

What I liked most was the whole nature and adventure vibe, and it just feels pretty upbeat overall. If anyone has ideas or suggestions, I’d love to hear them :)

Books like The Wind in the Willows

By ink_rusty

Hi everyone! I’ve really loved *The Wind in the Willows* by Kenneth Grahame for years. It’s got this warm, cozy feel, and the whole sense of adventure is so fun, especially with all those animal characters you end up remembering. I’m trying to find other books with a similar vibe—stuff about the natural world, friendship, and maybe a little whimsy too. Does anyone have recommendations for stories with characters you can’t help but like and storytelling that feels a bit nostalgic? Thanks!

wind in the willows is amazing

By LibrarySinigrin7

Honestly, this might be one of the most lyrical kids’ books ever. It’s got this really deep/philosophical vibe, but it still feels totally innocent. It kind of gives me Winnie the Pooh energy, except the writing is way more complicated. My favorite bits are: - the piper at the gates of dawn - the part where Mole can feel that his home is nearby—just beautiful Also, when I reread, I stumbled on this line that I can’t stop thinking about: “I beg your pardon,” said the Mole… “So—this—is—a—River!” “THE River,” corrected the Rat.