Children’s Classics Mini Reviews: The Secret Garden & The Wind in the Willows

I recently listened to the audiobook for The Secret Garden and The Wind in the Willows. I highly enjoyed both of them, and figured, why do one  long review for each, when I could combine them and do two short reviews? Laziness always wins.

One of the most celebrated works of classic literature for children
Meet little Mole, willful Ratty, Badger the perennial bachelor, and petulant Toad. Over one hundred years since their first appearance in 1908, they've become emblematic archetypes of eccentricity, folly, and friendship. And their misadventures-in gypsy caravans, stolen sports cars, and their Wild Wood-continue to capture readers' imaginations and warm their hearts long after they grow up. Begun as a series of letters from Kenneth Grahame to his son, The Wind in the Willows is a timeless tale of animal cunning and human camaraderie.

The Wind in the Willows is a hilarious story about animals named Mr. Toad, the Mole, and Ratty (to name a few). The story details their exploits as they deal with Mr. Toad’s obsession with driving motors and his penchant for getting into accidents. If you’ve ever been to Disneyland, you’ve likely ridden on “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.” Well, the ride is based on this book, and now I feel like everything in the ride makes sense!

The book is so easy to enjoy, written oh-so cleverly, and is laugh-out-loud funny on many occasions. I’d highly recommend it to any lover of absurd humor, children’s novels, or anyone who wants to read about a hilariously conceited and self-centered Mr. Toad.

When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle's great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets. The mansion has nearly one hundred rooms, and her uncle keeps himself locked up. And at night, she hears the sound of crying down one of the long corridors.

The gardens surrounding the large property are Mary's only escape.

One day, Mary discovers a secret garden surrounded by walls and locked with a missing key. With the help of two unexpected companions, she discovers a way in. Is everything in the garden dead, or can Mary bring it back to life?

If you’ve ever seen the movie, The Secret Garden, I will say that this book doesn’t stray far from the story line, so you won’t be surprised by much in the novel.

This is the story of a young girl from India whose family dies from cholera. She is forced to go live with her uncle in England. The estate is mysterious and full of secrets, including a walled, secret garden that Mary finds one afternoon. Through the garden, Mary meets Dicken, a local boy who helps Mary bring the garden back to life. After months living at the estate, Mary’s wanderings through the home lead her to a rotten young boy named Colin. It turns out he is her cousin and a hypochondriac who believes himself to be an invalid close to death. Through Mary and Dicken, Colin learns that he may not be as sick as he originally believed and that there is life outside the mansion worth living.

The story is completely lovely. If you haven’t read it yet, I would highly encourage that you do. If you haven’t seen the movie, even better. Read the book first!

What’s your favorite children’s story? Have you read either of these?

A.S. Thornton

A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.