The Wind in the Willows

By: Kenneth Grahame

Narrated by: John Rayburn

This is a classic fantasy story about four animals who behave like humans. They talk, philosophize, and emphasize friendship but also keep their animal habits. They are Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger.

There are some adult books enjoyed by children and some children’s books enjoyed by adults. However, this one appeals to both because it stresses a main theme of doing your best at all times, forgiving others, and setting a goal to make the world a better place.

It is based in an English countryside with wonderful descriptions that make you feel as though you’re there with them. It has a wonderful listen-aloud feeling with good humor and imagination. We invite you to join us.

Public Domain (P)2021 by John D. Rayburn

Rat, Badger, Mole and Toad

This book pops up all over the place. I think we grew up with it. I have vague memories of an animated movie too. I read it to refresh my memory and check it off of my 100 Book Bucket list poster. The story is about four animal characters: Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and Toad. They have adventures. Rat teaches Mole all about river life, how to swim, and boat, and how to pack a proper boating picnic basket. Rat and Mole end up stranded in a snowstorm and only finding the home of Badger and his hospitality saves them from freezing to death. Toad takes up the second half of the book with his crazy antics. He develops an obsession with motor cars which is quite unhealthy. His friends try to bring him to his senses after he crashes a great many types of cars, but he refuses to see the harm or danger. Eventually, Toad goes too far and lands himself in jail for a 20-year sentence. He tricks his way out of jail and back to Toad Hall (his home) but it has been taken over by weasels. The four friends band together to get Toad Hall back with trickery and cleverness. I enjoy the stories and imagining the woods and rivers and snow. I am quite confused about some of the more literal points though. I don’t quite understand how the animals interact with the humans. I don’t quite understand why only some of the animals can talk, wear clothes, and use tools. I don’t let these details get in the way of the story, because they don’t seem to worry the author at all, but my grown-up, engineer, scientist brain has so many questions.

This is for adventurers big and small.