The illustrators
Published in October of 1908, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame holds a special place in my love of classic children’s literature. It was my mother’s favorite, and it was also the book that first turned my attention to the importance of having the right illustrated version when reading classics to a modern child.
The version I first used was illustrated by Nancy Barnhart, an important edition, with beautiful, yet far too sparse, illustration for the age my son was at, at the time. So I began to search for other illustrated versions on the market- and so it began.
This is the classic that gave birth to WaterBearReads.
I hope you enjoy these cozy and beloved illustrated versions! Note that this is a living post; I will add more editions in as they are published or found.
*Original!
W. Graham Robertson & Wyndham Payne
I have searched the web for easily available editions containing the individual artwork of these original illustrators of The Wind in the Willows and I am convinced that this annotated edition is really the best choice. Containing the rarely found illustrations of Wyndham Payne as well as those from Paul Bransom in color, it holds the very first illustration to have been given this tale, a frontispiece by W. Graham Robertson for the first 1908 edition.
W. Graham Robertson was a personal friend of Kenneth Grahame and an early reader of The Wind in the Willows manuscript. “Portly” a young otter in the novel, was named after Robertson’s dog! Robertson provided three illustrations which were published several times, the final time being in 1913. This annotated version holds only the frontispiece, although it does have other examples of his works in illustration.
Following was Paul Bransom and Nancy Barnhart, which are discussed below as editions with their works are more readily available. Wyndham Payne, the fourth to illustrate The Wind in the Willows in 1927, is a bit harder to find in publication. Little is known about him, but his illustrations helped inspire Arthur Rackham’s popular illustrations of the trees that came later.
W.W. Norton & Company, 2009
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*Original!
Paul Bransom
Paul Bransom was the first artist to fully illustrate The Wind in the Willows with ten full-color paintings, in 1913. An American who taught himself his craft from frequent visits to the Washington National Zoo, his animals appear in their most natural state and environment, (with the exception of his Sea Rat) which, after more than a century of illustration, is almost (see James Lynch below) entirely unique in its portrayal of Ratty, Mole, Mr. Badger and Toad, who have been smartly attired since.
Although there are other publications holding his illustration, such as this one, I’ve not yet confirmed another in color, outside of the annotated version here.
W.W. Norton & Company, 2009
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Nancy Barnhart
Not much is known about American illustrator Nancy Barnhart who was the third illustrator of The Wind in the Willows, although she is sometimes mistakenly identified as the first illustrator. She was however, the first illustrator to dress the animal characters in human clothing, giving them each the characteristics we all know and love today.
Illustrations originally published in 1922, this Barnes & Noble edition published, 2012.
The link below is to the Barnes & Noble edition, published 2017.
Find It:
∞ Abebooks
Ernest Shepard
First published in London in 1931 and later in the USA in 1933, with color added in 1953, The Wind in the Willows illustrated by Ernest Shepard is the quintessential version.
Shepard had already made a name for himself illustrating A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh and other of Milne’s works when he was invited to illustrate The Wind in the Willows. At first he was reluctant, believing that The Wind in the Willows was one of those works best left unillustrated. However, as others had illustrated the work before him, he happily took it on with the condition that he receive one third of the royalties, (Shepard had been recently widowed with two children to look after) which Grahame happily accepted.
Sadly, Kenneth Grahame passed away before he could see the finished version but, having met with Ernest Shepard about the illustration of his book twice, was recorded to have told Shephard: “I love these little people, be kind to them’.
Version shown here published by Farshore, 2020
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Arthur Rackham
Arthur Rackham illustrated The Wind in the Willows in 1939. It turned out to be Rackham’s final work as he passed away before its publication.
Probably one of the most popular British illustrators of his time, he had been asked by Kenneth Grahame himself, thirty years earlier, to illustrate it, but had refused due to being too involved in other projects at the time. So when he was again asked to illustrate it thirty years down the line, having regretted his earlier refusal, he made it a priority. He had been ill and, in the end, completed the line drawing chapter heading illustrations, from his bed. He was running badly behind on his deadlines and the original publication dates had to be postponed. However, when it was finally ready and off to press, it was already sold out.
My copy pictured here by Methuen Children’s Books, 1986
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∞ Abebooks
Tasha Tudor
Kenneth Grahame once stated that he wrote not only for children but for “adults who remember what it is like to be children”, and perhaps no other illustrator fits Grahame’s ideal as well as Tasha Tudor; the quintessential New England illustrator. Her gentle illustrations reflect a keen love of nature, and take us all back to that childhood version of ourselves, when days were slower and life was simple.
The World Publishing Company, 1966
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∞ Abebooks
Dick Cuffari
Born to immigrant parents in Brooklyn, New York, Richard Cuffari served in the US Army during WWII before embarking upon a career in freelance illustration.
I find his illustrations beautifully colored and eye-catching!
He also illustrates a lovely version of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Wonder Book for Boys and Girls.
The Illustrated Junior Library, 1966
(my copy is softcover edition)
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∞ Abebooks
Michael Hague
It was this gorgeous edition of The Wind in the Willows that made a name for Michael Hague, selling over 200,000 copies in its first printing, according to one source.
Hague states that in illustrating Kenneth Grahame’s work he tried to stay true to the magic and spirit of Grahame’s written word, feeling that “there must have been something of Mr. Toad in me when I agreed to illustrate this book”.
To learn more about Michael Hague, read about him in my post on the Illustrator’s of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
This version: Henry Holt & Company, 1980
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∞ Abebooks
John Burningham
The quintessential illustrator of Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, John Burningham’s illustrations for The Wind in the Willows are timeless.
Married to equally famous children’s book illustrator Helen Oxenbury, he is also known for Borka, The Adventures of a Goose with No Feathers.
This is one of my favorite versions. I love John Burningham’s wholly original artwork.
First Published 1983. Puffin Books 2018
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∞ Abebooks
Patrick Benson
Following the success of William Horwood’s The Willows in Winter, which he illustrated, Patrick Benson illustrated this favorite version of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows.
This is the only completely black and white version (with the exception of the endpapers) on this list, and yet, it is one of my favorites and has many illustrations throughout.
Patrick Benson continued to illustrate the other three “Willows” works by William Horwood: Toad Triumphant, The Willows and Beyond and The Willows at Christmas.
St. Martin’s Griffin, 1994
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∞ Abebooks
James Lynch
English landscape artist James Lynch often paraglides his way to inspiration. He uses egg tempera which he mixes himself from eggs laid from his own hens! Soft colors recollect the feelings of a “time gone by” and his characters, like Paul Bransom above, lack the human clothing that most of the other illustrated versions boast.
There are eight, full color illustrations, one of them being a two-page spread.
The Folio Society, 1995
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∞ Abebooks
Helen Ward
I have come across British illustrator Helen Ward’s versions of Just So Stories and White Fang in my previous “Illustrator Explores”, as well as her beautiful version of selected Aesop’s Fables tales.
Her illustrations are lush and delightful, and seem to target not only children, but also adults who are children at heart. This is the version that will sneak up on your senses and delight you!
Helen Ward was also a writer, and wrote The Tin Forest, a Reading Rainbow featured picture book.
Templar Publishing, 2008
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∞ Abebooks
Robert Ingpen
David Petersen
Mouse Guard author and illustrator, David Petersen’s version channels autumn in every scene, regardless of the season, so if you are someone who enjoys reading The Wind in the Willows in the autumn than this is the one for you!
Most pages are illustrated, with only an unadorned “turn of the page” now and then.
Idea and Design Works, 2016
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Tor Freeman
Illustrator, author and comic-artist, Tor Freeman was born and educated in London and is best known for her Digby Dog series. Her chapter heading illustrations introduce each chapter with a cute mixture of mischief and grace, and I imagine this as the version Toad would illustrate!
This is my softcover version of choice!
Alma Classics, 2017
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∞ Abebooks
For the Collector!
Charles van Sandwyk
Here is a version of ‘The Wind in the Willows’ that left me, wide-eyed and dazzled, saying: “Poop poop!”
This exquisite version, published by The Folio Society, is illustrated by Canadian/South African Charles van Sandwyk and his artwork is so beautiful. I can’t get enough of it!
Happily, with lush illustrations leaving few pages unadorned, I have plenty to thrill me!
Folio Society, 2005
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And More Unabridged Editions to Come...See titles I plan to add in "Other" section below
Titles below are very close to Original, but may leave out Chapters 7 and 9, as noted
Inga Moore
On the inner dust jacket flap, it states: “Moore’s illustrations are just so perfect for the book that you can almost feel Kenneth Grahame smiling down upon it”. I feel I can add nothing to this statement, except that I completely agree!
Inga Moore is one of my favorite illustrators, and I have devoted a blog post to her illustrated classics which you can see here.
This version is stated as being adapted as well as illustrated by Inga Moore. However the text is so similar to the original, that I wonder if the adaptation refers to the omission of Chapters 7 and 9; chapters which are often omitted. Either way, I felt it worthy of including in this section.
Walker Books, 2000
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Eric Kincaid
With atmospheric delicacy, British illustrator Eric Kincaid has created a version of The Wind in the Willows that flutters into your heart and stays.
With an illustration on every page, and condensed text that is so similar to the original, (with the exception of chapters 7 and 9 not being included), you might read this as though you were reading the original.
Pictured here is a collection of four children’s classics illustrated by Eric Kincaid: Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and The Jungle Book being the others.
Octopus Publishing Group, 2001 (The Wind in the Willows is one of four titles in this edition)
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∞ Abebooks (Link to my edition as pictured)
∞ Abebooks (Link to a stand-alone edition)
David Roberts
I love art deco and David Roberts’ gorgeous illustrations fascinate me and have done since first I read The Beginner’s Guide to Bear Spotting. I admire how he is able to balance 1920’s style with today’s modern appreciations. See his version of The Hundred and One Dalmatians here.
This edition is missing chapter 7, (The Piper at the Gates of Dawn), a chapter which can be confusing to young children. (In this chapter the Greek god Pan plays a role). However, Roberts has found a very clever way to include it still, and explains that he pays respects to the chapter through allusion – for an example of this, look closely at the back cover of the book pictured in my slideshow.
Illustrations are generous and appear throughout, this makes a great version to read to today’s modern child!
I believe David Roberts first illustrated The Wind in the Willows in 2012. My copy here was newly republished this year, but I purchased it from Blackwells in the UK. A 2013 edition is available via the Abebooks link below.
Oxford University Press, 2024
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The Wind in the Willows - retellings and adapted versions
With a new illustrated edition of the unabridged text coming out at a pace of about one every other year, the adapted versions are too numerous to list. However, the following adaptations and retellings of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows really caught my eye, and I hope they will appeal to my readers too!
The Wind in the Willows retold by G.C. Barrett, illustrated by Don Daily
Don Daily’s illustrations are beyond anything that I could have imagined, and inspired this blog’s header picture!
Absolutely magnificent, the adapted version to rival Michael Hague’s unabridged version above, Don Daily’s illustrations bring autumn to mind with its apples and pears and toadstools and autumnal color palette. A must have!
Courage Books, 1993
Where to Find:
The Wind in the Willows abridged by Lou Peacock and illustrated by kate Hindley
We recently read Pollyanna illustrated by Kate Hindley and adored her B&W chapter heading illustrations which said so much in so little artistic space. So when I saw this full color version by Nosy Crow I just had to list it. This is another one I plan to add to my collection.
Published 2023 by Nosy Crow
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The Wind in the Willows retold by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and illustrated by Jojo Clinch
I adore this version! Definitely one that I would like to add to my collection. British illustrator Jojo Clinch’s work is lovely! Illustrations which just make me happy!
Published 2022 by Puffin Books
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∞ Amazon
The Wind in the Willows retold by Peter Clover, illustrated by Claire Almon
Starry Forest Books is a publishing company I adore and I have listed two of their books here.
The first one is in their Classic Stories series and is a picture book covering the events relating to Toad’s obsession with motorcars, from the first encounter when a car crashes into Toad’s wagon, to Toad’s return and the battle for Toad Hall.
Claire Almon’s bright watercolors evoke the Edwardian period as never before seen, in sunny, colorful tones.
Starry Forest Books, 2020
Where to Find (currently unavailable):
Baby's Classics The Wind in the Willows adapted by Alex Fabrizio and illustrated by Greg Paprocki
Greg Paprocki’s artwork is everywhere: puzzles, restaurant and retail store posters among many books and STEAM products sold internationally. On his website he calls his work “art with personality”, and I have to agree! This Baby’s Classics version is perfect for the very little ones.
Being an Agatha Christie fan, I’ve been rather excited about one of his newer books: The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
Published in 2021 by Starry Forest Books
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Classic Starts The WInd in the Willows abridged by Martin Woodside and illustrated by Jamel Akib
The River Bank from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame Illustrated by Adrienne Adams
An enchanting book centering on the first chapter of The Wind in the Willows, illustrated by Arkansas-born, Oklahoma-bred, later lived in New Jersey illustrator Adrienne Adams. She has illustrated many books including Rumer Godden’s The Story of Holly and Ivy and Mouse House
Published in 1977 by Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York
Where to Find:
Other illustrated versions of The Wind in the Willows
I plan to add these to this blog post at some point. In the meantime, look for these on Bookshop.org, Amazon, Abebooks, or find them on internet archives or from your local library!
For the Collector - Luxury
With a new illustrated edition of the unabridged text coming out at a pace of about one every other year, the adapted versions are too numerous to list. However, the following adaptations and retellings of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows really caught my eye, and I hope they will appeal to my readers too!
Caurette edition of The Wind in the Willows illustrated by Chris Dunn
With over 100 watercolour illustrations by Chris Dunn, this version of The Wind in the Willows, originally backed through a kickstarter campaign and published by Editions Caurette out of France, is a stunner!
To see interior, visit the publisher’s website here.
Published in 2022 by Editions Caurette
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The Folio Society edition of The Wind in the Willows illustrated by Charles van Sandwyk
Since I own this one I listed it above as well. An edition any collector would be proud of.
The Folio Society, 2005 (with several reprintings)
Where to Find:
Coming Soon!
Newly Designed version of The Wind in the Willows by Arcturus with illustration by Tiziana Longo
Although the illustrations of Tiziana Longo, which are perfect for the kiddos, can be found in an earlier slip-cased version of The Wind in the Willows, I am excited to see this handsome edition with sprayed edges and look forward to seeing it in person!
Arcturus, November 5, 2024
Pre-order:
∞ Amazon
Conclusion
Kenneth Grahame’s bedtime stories to his son Alastair, nicknamed “Mouse”, Alastair’s governess, Naomi Stott, who saved Grahame’s letters addressed to “Mouse” (letters which would become what we know of today as The Wind in the Willows) from the wastepaper basket, the suffragist, Constance Smedley, who encouraged Grahame to write it when Grahame insisted he was done with writing, and even President Theodore Roosevelt, whose support provided that final push to an undecided publisher, The Wind in the Willows owes its existence to many.
What is The Wind in the Willows really? Proof of a father’s devotion to his son? The culmination of solid friendships forged by some “nautical” bond? What does it mean to its readers? A glimpse of simpler, slower times?
And what did it mean to its illustrators who wove its magic into picture?
To Arthur Rackham, it was a “swan song” and a long regret, reversed. To Ernest Shepard, it was guardianship of a dying Grahame’s beloved “little people”, entrusted to him.
To me, both the story, as well as the lives of those involved in its creation are a reminder to fight for those we care about just as Rat saved Mole from drowning, or Rat, Mole and Badger saved Toad from himself.
One thing I can say with certainty is that the world is made better for its existence.
Thank you for reading!
Heather
Newsletter
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Which is your favorite illustrated version?
Let me know in the comments section below and thank you for visiting my post!
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References:
The Annotated Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame Edited with a preface and notes by Annie Gauger Introduction by Brian Jacques
Various bits of information on featured illustrators found on their own websites, Wikipedia, or on flaps within the books they illustrated.