23 Feb 07

The Wind in the Willows is one of the best-loved children’s books today and yet it all started 100 years ago when the author, Kenneth Grahame, sent letters to his seven-year-old son, Alastair, containing the first whisperings of the famous story.

To mark World Book Day on 1 March, the Bodleian Library will launch a special one-day exhibition including the letters and the final manuscript itself, alongside two of the most famous illustrated editions. In his letters to Alastair, who he nicknames ‘Mouse’, the author tells him the story of a group of animals and their various adventures along the river, in the woods and on the road.

In a specially decorated corner of the Divinity School, the atmosphere of the story will be recreated and readings from the book will take place throughout the day. The four reading sessions will be attended by schoolchildren from throughout Oxford.

Chris Fletcher, Head of Western Manuscripts, Bodleian Library, said: ‘The Bodleian Library benefited tremendously from the great generosity of Kenneth Grahame and his wife, through bequests and gifts – including the letters and manuscripts on display. We are therefore particularly delighted to be able to share with the wider public, in our display and accompanying online exhibition, the story of how one of the greatest children’s stories of all time came into being.’

The display will be open on 1 March from 10:00am until 5:00pm in the Divinity School, Bodleian Library, Broad Street, Oxford. Admission is free.

The one-day exhibition will be complemented by an online exhibition at www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/wbd