Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Language: The word “ass” is used 11 times.  It is always used as a synonym for “stupid, idiot, or fool”.  For example, page 215 says, “…don’t you see what an awful ‘ass you’ve been making of yourself?”  Maybe this word was typical in England when the book was first published in 1908; but, it seems unnecessary in a children’s book.

Violence: Badger, Toad, Mole, and Rat have a short, but boisterous fight using swords and guns in a successful attempt to overthrow the weasels and stoats (ermines) and to reclaim Toad  Hall.

Synopsis

Toad, Badger, Mole and Rat are the main characters, and all great friends, in this classic children’s tale.  It is composed of stories the author, Mr. Grahame, would tell to his son. Mole experiences life above ground on the river with Rat and Otter.  Among others, they have a slow-moving adventure where they get lost in The Wild Wood while looking for Badger.  These comprise chapters 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.  But the main storyline follows the conceited Mr. Toad who lets his obsessions get the best of him.  His latest craze is motor cars.  After a string of crashes, his good animal friends take it upon themselves to talk some sense into Toad, even going so far as to put him under self-appointed house arrest.  But Toad feigns sick, escapes, lets his reckless behavior get the best of him, steals a car and finds himself in jail with a 20 year sentence.  Silly Toad fluctuates between remorse and arrogance as he escapes prison disguised as a peasant washerwoman.  He shakes off his pursuers by train and barge.  After hilarious adventures, Toad returns to his loyal friends only to find that his home, Toad Hall, has been seized by the weasels.  The animals unite in a successful overthrow.

Parts of this book are so funny that I kept laughing out loud.  The chapters about Toad (chapters 2, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12) are the best!  I still cannot understand why the publisher/author/editor did not have them placed consecutively in the book, as it is one continuous story line.  These chapters are the basis for half the animated Disney movie, “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” and the attraction, “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride” at Disneyland.  The other chapters are more difficult to read as the storylines are slow-paced, disjointed, and are laced with challenging vocabulary.  I got out the dictionary several time, myself, so I think it would be difficult for the targeted audience (children) to read it alone.  These chapters have the characters explore emotions such as fear, nostalgia and wanderlust.