The Wind in the Willows is a classic children's novel by the British novelist Kenneth
Grahame, first published in 1908. It details the story of Mole, Ratty, and
Badger as they try to help Mr. Toad, after he becomes obsessed with motorcars
and gets into trouble. They navigate the English countryside and learn valuable lessons about friendship and loyalty. The novel was based on bedtime stories Grahame told his son
Alastair. It has been adapted numerous times for both stage and screen. The Wind in the Willows received negative reviews upon its
initial release, but it has since become a classic of British literature. It has
been adapted multiple times in different media. In 1899, at age 40, Kenneth
Grahame married Elspeth Thomson, the daughter of Robert William Thomson. The
next year they had their only child, a boy named Alastair (nicknamed
"Mouse"). He was born premature, blind in one eye, and plagued by
health problems throughout his life. When Alastair was about four years old,
Grahame would tell him bedtime stories, some of which were about a toad and on
his frequent boating holidays without his family. He would write further tales
of Toad, Mole, Ratty, and Badger in letters to Alastair.