The Wind on the Willows | Book Review by Mananya,10, Vadodara

Book: The Wind on the Willows

Author : Kenneth Grahame

Today I will share my views on the book ‘The Wind on the Willows’, written by well-known British writer Kenneth Grahame. Born in Scotland, he is famous for children’s classic novels like – ‘The Reluctant’, ‘Dragon’, and ‘The Wind on the Willows’.

His books are always related to the animal world and fantasy, so it is always narrated by a third person. The third person’s narration also acts as a stable voice which makes reading effortless. Like his other novels, this story of his is in a poetic and gentle language.

Mr. Toad is the hero cum villain of the story. The tales relate the adventures of several animal friends and neighbours in the English countryside—primarily Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger. Although the animals converse and behave like humans, each creature also retains its’ distinctive animal habits.

The story moves from one location to another as mole and rat, two friends meet Mr. Toad, a boastful but generous person who gets obsessed with a horse drawn caravan. Both try hard to explain to Toad, but his craze for caravan travel makes his life miserable and full of adventures. After a lot of adventures in Toad’s life, mole, rate and badger come in to help Toad.

At the end we can see a new, different Toad, from the one which we had first met. The climax of the novel is most liked by me as all the adventures have taught me to be the best at all times, forgive others, not to praise ourselves in front of others and learn from our past mistakes.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5 and recommend it to ages 8+.