The Making of The Wind in the Willows

Description

The Wind in the Willows has its origins in the bedtime stories that Kenneth Grahame told to his son Alastair and then continued in letters (now held in the Bodleian Library) while he was on holiday. But the book developed into something much more sophisticated than this, as Peter Hunt shows. He identifies the colleagues and friends on whom Grahame is thought to have based the characters of Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad, and explores the literary genres of boating, caravanning and motoring books on which the author drew. He also recounts the extraordinary correspondence surrounding the book's first publication and the influence of two determined women - Elspeth Grahame and publisher's agent Constance Smedley - who helped turn the book into the classic for children we know and love today, when it was almost entirely intended for adults.

Peter Hunt is Professor Emeritus in English and Children's Literature at Cardiff University.

'How did a famous book come to be written by a man with no interest in it and how did it become a children's classic when it was almost entirely intended for adults? This splendid book gives the answers to both these curious conundrums.' * This England Magazine * 'This lovingly-illustrated book is full of archival material and explores the mysteries surrounding one of the most successful works of children's literature.' * Countryside Magazine * 'Well laid out and thoroughly readable book ... Read this book for the tale of how 'The Wind in the Willows' took shape is equally as fascinating.' * The Field * 'An elegant, attractively-tactile, visually-enhancing volume that should fly off bookshop shelves with the speed of Toad behind the wheel of his "shiny new motor-car, of great size, painted a bright red".' * Children's Books History Society * 'If you have never read Kenneth Grahame's fantastic children's book, before you do please read this. ... The timeless illustrations and their real locational inspirations all give a super insight into the creation of this wonderful tale. As Toad would say of this charming volume: "Poop! Poop!"' * Let's Talk! 'Books of the Month' *