&&LDIV&&R&&LDIV&&R&&LI&&RThe Wind in the Willows&&L/I&&R, by &&LB&&RKenneth Grahame&&L/B&&R, is part of the &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics&&L/I&&R&&LI&&R &&L/I&&Rseries, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics&&L/I&&R: &&LDIV&&RNew introductions commissioned from todays top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the readers viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriateAll editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics &&L/I&&Rpulls together a constellation of influences-biographical, historical, and literary-to enrich each readers understanding of these enduring works.&&L/DIV&&R&&L/DIV&&R&&LP style="e;MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"e;&&R &&L/P&&R&&LP style="e;MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"e;&&RWhen Mole decides he has had enough tiresome spring-cleaning for one day, the scrappy nonesuch throws down his broom and bolts out of his house looking for fun and adventure. He quickly finds it in the form of the Water Rat, who takes the wide-eyed Mole boating and introduces him to the mysteries of life on the river and in the Wild Wood. Mole also meets Ratty's good friends: the kindly, solid Badger and the irrepressible Toad. Soon, the quartet's escapades-including car crashes, a sojourn in jail, and a battle with the weasels who try to take over Toad Hall-become the talk of the animal kingdom.&&LBR&&R&&LBR&&RFilled with familiar human types disguised as animals, &&LB&&RKenneth Grahame&&L/B&&R's &&LI&&RThe Wind in the Willows&&L/I&&R, like all exemplary children's literature, has always appealed greatly to grown-ups as well. Though first published in 1908, when "e;motor-cars"e; were new and rare, &&LI&&RThe Wind in the Willows&&L/I&&R presents surprisingly contemporary-and uproariously funny-portraits of speed-crazed Mr. Toad, generous Badger, poetic Ratty, and newly-emancipated Mole. And lurking all the while within the humor and good spirits, Grahame's deeply felt commentary on courage, generosity, and above all, friendship. &&LBR&&R&&L/P&&R&&LP style="e;MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"e;&&R&&LSTRONG&&RGardner McFall&&L/B&&R &&L/B&&Ris the author of two children's books and a collection of poetry. She teaches children's literature at Hunter College in New York City.&&L/P&&R&&L/DIV&&R