Wind in the Willows

[theatokos]

I've been reading Wind in the Willows to Bennett. It seems far too advanced to be considered a children's book - the language is complex and the plot is not quite what I'm used to in kids' literature. But we're both enjoying it.

However, I am beginning to see far too much of Mr Toad in me for my liking. Yet some how he manages to keep a close band of loyal friends about him, so perhaps it'll be alright in the end.

Comments

[hrafntinna.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't have pegged you as Toad.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Well, excellent. Perhaps it is just my cranky pants today that are making me unable to see clearly. They bind a bit much, the crankypants do.

[nosce.livejournal.com]

You are so NOT Toad.

We read this to Iris last summer and have since read her Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Jungle Books, The Little Prince, and The Secret Garden. The language is SO advanced for childrens' literature- we're constantly shocked by the amount of difficultly written dialect, long words, or complex ideas presented in classic childrens' books.
For me, these were all things I read as a child, and it's so fascinating to see the things I pick up about the story as an adult, or the way they make me feel as opposed to how unaffected I was by them as a child. (Or oblivious, perhaps.)

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I read all kinds of things to B before we moved. I read an entire book of poetry to him! But since we've been here he's gotten into picture books so I've forgotten the joys of chapter books. We read The Little Prince in the fall and wow, I hated that one.

Next up is the Dark is Rising series. I've been building up a small collection of young adult/kids chapter books and stuff from the charity shops here. *Glances at book shelf* We've got Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, The Thief Lord, James and the Giant Peach, and The Twits coming up too.

[bravenewcentury.livejournal.com]

Oooh, The Dark is Rising series is wonderful, a real old favourite of mine as a child. If you're after recommendations for books of a similar character I recommend anything by E. Nesbit (though particularly Five Children and It) and The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea (as steeped in Irish mythology as Cooper's books are in Welsh and English).

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! Thank you! I'll keep my eyes open for those.