In the spring of 1907, Kenneth Grahame sent his seven year old son Alistair (nicknamed 'Mouse') the first in a series of letters. These letters told the story of a group of animals and their various adventures along the river, in the woods and on the road. Centring on the swaggering Mr Toad, the letters formed the first whisperings of what would become one of the best-loved children's stories of all time: The Wind in the Willows. On the 80th anniversary of Kenneth Grahame's death, Grill' Rhys Jones sets off to investigate a curious story. He wants to know why this children's tale has so gripped the public's imagination. In doing so lie examines a golden era of children's literature and finds it wrapped up in a tragic and moving biographical story. Central to the success of the great classic is the character of "Toadie". It is a strangely cruel portrait but Mr. Toad, in the character of a bumptious, overbearing, childlike braggart, has become a fixed part of British culture. Griff Rhys Jones sets out to find out why.
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