The River Bank

July 31, 2017
Anthropomorphized friends Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and the notorious Toad of Toad Hall are back in Johnson’s sequel to Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 children’s novel set in Edwardian England, The Wind in the Willows. When a young lady-mole named Beryl and her companion, Rabbit, move to the River Bank, they spark a series of comical misunderstandings and adventures. Johnson neatly captures the quaint whimsy of Grahame’s original book, complete with asides from the omniscient narrator (“The Mole took the kettle off and banked the fire—for he knew that one should never leave a fire unattended, and so ought you.”) She also does an excellent job of addressing issues of gender and class in Grahame’s original novel; Beryl, an “authoress” of successful murder mysteries, and her friend Rabbit, whose spirit of recklessness could put the Toad himself to shame, incite a flurry of anxieties. “I am sure they are very nice animals,” says the Mole, “but—females, you know. You know what they are like.... I don’t see why we need anyone else. We went along admirably enough without them.” The Mole may come to eat his words, and the adventures that expose the root of his assumptions are sparkling and witty without sacrificing narrative tension. This is a sequel that will hit the spot for Grahame fans, but isn’t afraid to build on his characters and fill in some gaps for a modern readership.

August 1, 2017

Gr 3-6-This sequel to Kenneth Grahame's classic tale begins a year after the original. New arrivals Beryl, a mild mannered authoress, and Rabbit, a flighty rabbit, join Mole, Badger, Rat, and Toad on the River Bank. Toad, a reformed motorist, initiates a series of shenanigans when he becomes obsessed with obtaining a motorcycle, with Rabbit serving as an all-too-eager accomplice. Mole, initially avoidant of Beryl, is later revealed to be her brother and the two set off to save their friends from themselves, leaving behind a letter that leads Badger and Rat to believe the two have wed. The story ends with the merry band going head-to-head against a fox and his gang after Toad and Rabbit are captured. Johnson's attention to world-building and characterization create an engaging read with modern appeal while maintaining the aesthetic of the original. It also works as a stand-alone for new readers, though references to events covered in the first book are sprinkled throughout. Black-and-white line spot art and full-page spreads add to the nostalgic feel. VERDICT Ideal for lovers of anthropomorphic animal adventure stories or those seeking to recapture the spirit of Grahame's original story.-Nicole Signoretta Sutton, Kingston Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2018
Johnson captures the essence of Grahame's beloved characters with expertise. When a lady mole and a lady rabbit take up lodgings in a cottage on the River Bank, Mole is disgruntled, Rat is perplexed, and Toad is eager to impress. Miscommunications ultimately give way to grand adventures. Grahame's world is neither disturbed nor transformed, merely richer. Jennings's illustrations perfectly complement the tale.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)