This is a book with memorable images. I remember it much as I a remember a dream, at least one that stays in my mind. This memory is no doubt reinforced by the Disney film version of the story, but that does not detract from the impression the book made on a young boy. It is a book to which I plan to return and see if it still retains its power to impress and amaze me. ( )

This was my favorite book when I was a child. When I read it years later to my own children, I still loved it, and they did too! ( )

Somewhere alongside a river lives a Water Rat and a Mole, two friends who take pleasure in the simple things, like taking a ride in Ratty's boat and having a picnic. Their friends Toad, Otter and Badger, living near the river and in the Wide Wood, join them in various adventures throughout the seasons.

Somehow, when I was young and reading The Chronicles Narnia and all the Thornton W. Burgess tales, I missed this children's classic featuring Mole and the Water Rat, pompous old Toad and the sturdy Badger. I especially loved Toad, his faddish delights and mood swings from deepest despair to puffed up self-display. This was a truly charming read, by turns familiar (due to a movie I saw as a child) and new. The episodic chapters and long, meandering sentences lend themselves to a read-aloud, and I look forward to someday sharing this story with a young child. ( )

 Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to read this classic work as an older child, but I do see it as more an older piece of children's literature that needs to be preserved and kept open for youth (even if it is dry or hard for them to understand the humor).I absolutely loved reading this book. It was so good I got goosebumps when it ended. I plan on reading the spin-off series and seeing what sort of links and take offs there are. My favorite character in this book was Rat, because he was responsible and doing the right thing in the benefit of Mole. I saw him really always genuine when he was thinking about Toad and his friends. He put everyone else first and himself last. In my opinion, it was Rat's doing that made this
that made this book wrapped in a timeless and unconditional friendship... not only cute and hilarious, but rightly achieved. ( )

Best book I ever read and read almost every year. It is dear to me.