Far from fading with time, Kenneth Grahame's classic tale of fantasy has attracted a growing audience in each generation. Rat, Mole, Badger and the preposterous Mr Toad (with his "Poop-poop-poop" road-hogging new motor-car), have brought delight to many through the years with their odd adventures on and by the river, and at the imposing residence of Toad Hall. Grahame's book was later dramatised by A. A. Milne, and became a perennial Christmas favourite, as Toad of Toad Hall. It continues to enchant and, above all perhaps, inspire great affection. AUTHOR: Kenneth Grahame 1859-1932 had an unusual writing career. He became an essayist of some note while working his way up to a senior position at the Bank of England, but ceased writing when he retired, then married in 1899. His classic work, 'The Wind in the Willows', came from bedtime stories he wrote for his young son, and was published in 1908. Although he lived for over twenty years after, it was his last published work.