I was recently challenged on facebook to post ten all-time favorite books that really made an impact on you. So here it goes, ten books that Erik thinks are worth the time he spent with them.
My first choice is “The Wind and the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame. I love this book. I have loved it since my childhood. My mother read it aloud every spring for as long as I can remember. I have read it aloud to my kids so many times I couldn’t count the number of times I've read it.. The funny thing about this book is that I’m not sure that I have ever read it silently.
I’ll grant that it has a whole onslaught of positive emotional quality for me but aside from that I find it be a delightful book. The dialogue among the animals is terrific and the story line switches between the quite life of the river to the chaotic adventures of Mr. Toad who is very much a modernist. The Mole, Badger and Water rat’s growing friendship and all of their concern for the Toad is picture of many friendships. Then the climax, The Battle of Toad Hall, finds the four friends driving out the weasels and stoats and is the stuff of which dreams are made.
Sprinkled throughout the book are quite a few excellent poems, from "The Ducks Ditty", to "When the Toad Came Home". Each poem is a different style of poem from the others and each serves it’s place in the book and each can stand alone as just a poem.
In addition to the enjoyable story, many different artist have illustrated this book. We have several different editions of the book just for the unique art work in each edition and are currently enjoying the illustrations of David Petersen, the creator of the Mouse Guard series.
Happy reading.
