Beautiful Editions: The Wind in the Willows

Today’s discussion is the fourth post in my new “Beautiful Editions” series. In case you’ve missed the previous article in which I mentioned various versions of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, I will link it here.

Just a recap of what to expect in my Beautiful Editions series:

I know many people who collect beautiful editions of their favorite books, myself being one of them. I think this “Beautiful Editions” series will be good for those of you searching for the next beauty to add to your ever growing collection. Each post I will discuss a different book. Today we will explore a book that I recently completed and loved–The Wind in the Willows.

Goodreads Synopsis

Meet little Mole, willful Ratty, Badger the perennial bachelor, and petulant Toad. Over one hundred years since their first appearance in 1908, they’ve become emblematic archetypes of eccentricity, folly, and friendship. And their misadventures-in gypsy caravans, stolen sports cars, and their Wild Wood-continue to capture readers’ imaginations and warm their hearts long after they grow up. Begun as a series of letters from Kenneth Grahame to his son, The Wind in the Willows is a timeless tale of animal cunning and human camaraderie.

Let’s get started, shall we?

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THE BOOKS

1. Puffin Classics
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Puffin Classics
Format: Paperback
ISBN13: 9780141321134
These Puffin Classic editions include some of my personal favorites. There are many different titles in this series, and the cover art is always stunning. The actual size of these editions is actually much smaller than your usual paperback. They also take on an almost square shape at about 5×6 inches. In addition to a beautiful cover, there are also black and white line illustrations at the top of each chapter.

2. V&A Collector’s Edition
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Puffin Classics
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9780141385679
The V&A Collector’s editions are absolutely stunning. These hardcovers were created by Puffin Classics in partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum with exquisite cover designs from their William Morris collection.

Now, for those of you who don’t know, William Morris was a famous textile designer back in the 1800s. Considering I went to school for textile design, I actually studied his work quite a bit. The patterns you see in the background of each cover were originally wallpaper designs that were pulled from the museum’s William Morris exhibit. I believe there are eight books in this gorgeous series currently available. Titles range from Anne of Green Gables to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Peter Pan is also set to come out next month (September).

3. Puffin Classics
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Puffin Classics
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9780141329826
These hardcover Puffin Classics are adorable. Each edition features a different repeating pattern with motifs representing different details from the story. Although there aren’t any illustrations, there is however, black and white line art at the top of each chapter.

Another detail to keep in mind is that these hardcover versions run a bit small. There are many other children’s classics in this collection, all in a range of bright hues. Selected stories span from The Secret Garden all the way to Robin Hood.

4. Panorama Pops
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9780744575538
This gorgeous hardcover is carefully abridged and features full-color illustrations throughout. The artist behind this edition is Inga Moore. I think she did an amazing job at executing this version with her soft watercolor-like aesthetic.

5. The Annotated Edition
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9780393057744
These annotated editions come in various titles. They normally feature an introduction and annotations by someone who has studied the said author’s work. This edition of The Wind in the Willows was annotated by Brian Jacques. There are also 182 illustrations as well as the original map of the Wildwood executed by artist E.H. Shepard. One thing to note with these editions is that they run fairly large and square.

6. Egmont Edition
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd
Format: Paperback
ISBN13: 9781405237307
This paperback edition is special because it includes the original artwork by E.H. Shepard, the man who illustrated Winnie the Pooh. I just love the cover design on this. The sketchy aesthetic is totally pleasing to look at.

7. Oxford Children’s Classics
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Format: Paperback
ISBN13: 9780192738301
I really love the cover of the above paperback. For some reason it totally looks like it could be a poster for a movie. While this unabridged edition doesn’t include any illustrations, it does however, include a vast assortment of activities and recommendations.

8. Penguin Threads
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Format: Paperback
ISBN13: 9780143106647
The Penguin Threads editions are some of my favorites. There are other books in this series such as Little Women and The Secret Garden. The cover art started off as actual embroidery on fabric, which I personally think is amazing. This paperback features french flaps, and when you open up to the inside cover you can see what the back of the embroidery looked like. Talk about being detail oriented, am I right?

9. Barnes and Noble Collectible Edition
Buy: Barnes & Noble
Publisher: Barnes & Noble
Format: Bonded Leather
ISBN13: 9781435163720
This is a beautiful collectible edition from Barnes & Noble. It includes full-color illustrations all throughout by artist Nancy Barnhart. This version also features gilded edges as well as a ribbon bookmark.

10. Vintage Children’s Classics
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Vintage Children’s Classics
Format:  Paperback
ISBN13: 9780099572947
This unabridged paperback edition is absolutely stunning. I just love the soft watercolor art on the cover. Not only is the outside beautiful, but the inside includes full-color illustrations as well as a map.

11. An Illustrated Classics
Buy: Amazon
Publisher: Canterbury Classics
Format: Hardcover (cloth bound)
ISBN13: 9781684120338
The above illustrated classic edition includes a dozen full-page color drawings by Arthur Rackham. It is a cloth bound hardcover that features foil stamping, yellow sprayed pages, and a ribbon bookmark as well. 

12. Graphic Revolve: Common Core Editions
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Stone Arch Books
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781496535627
The above version was adapted by Stephanie True Peters, and includes illustrations by Fern Cano. Stone Arc Books publishes many classics in this series with other titles ranging from Peter Pan all the way to The Time Machine.

These full-color graphic novels were created to feature enhanced Common Core State Standards support. They include discussions and writing prompts, an expanded introduction, as well as glossary words. This hardcover edition also comes in paperback as well.

13. Calla Editions
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Dover Publications Inc.
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781606600443
This gorgeous hardcover is filled with 22 full-color illustrations by Justin Todd. Not to mention, it is also completely unabridged.

14. Macmillan Collector’s Library
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher:  Pan MacMillan
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781509827930
The Macmillan Collector’s Library series includes many stunning editions of classic literature. This hardcover features gold gilt edges, a ribbon marker, head and tail bands, an illustrated dust jacket, and real cloth binding underneath. Also inside are sixteen full color illustrations by Arthur Rackham as well as an afterword by author David Stuart Davies.

I don’t know what it is about this cover but I am absolutely in love with it. I honestly think it’s my inner Hufflepuff coming out because that badger is EVERYTHING.

15. Illustrated Classic
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Miles Kelly Publishing Ltd.
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781786171894
This abridged hardcover features plate illustrations all throughout. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find the name of the artist who illustrated this edition.

16. Sterling Edition
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher:  Sterling
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781402782831
Robert Ingpen is the illustrator of many children’s classics like this one. In addition to The Wind in the Willows, other titles by Ingpen include The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as well as The Secret Garden. Although I’m not the biggest fan of his artwork, everyone else seems to love it, hence why it is on this list. This hardcover edition is unabridged and features full-color illustrations throughout.

17. Hinkler Books Edition
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Hinkler Books
Format: Paperback
ISBN13: 9781488912801
The above paperback edition is an abridged version of the original story. It also includes many modern color illustrations inside as well. As of right now, I believe Hinkler Books has two other titles published in this series. Those being Peter Pan as well as The Wizard of Oz.

18. Collector’s Editions
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Wordsworth Editions Ltd
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781840227826
Wordsworth is coming out with these adorable hardcovers for various children’s classics. Titles range from Black Beauty and Peter Pan, all the way to Treasure Island and Little Women. Although they won’t be fully available until next month (September), you can pre-order them now.

19. Candlewick Press Edition
Buy: Book Depository
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: Hardcover
ISBN13: 9780763665265
This Candlewick edition of The Wind in the Willows is a complete unabridged reprint. It also includes full-color illustrations throughout by artist David Roberts.

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That’s all for today folks! I hope you enjoyed reading this post.

Until next time,