The River Bank

Kenneth Grahame's stories of the friendship of Mole and Rat are fascinating portraits of human character traits. When reading these stories to my children, I would ask them which character they most identified with, or of whom did each story character remind them. For instance, Mole is a gentle, kind, sentimental and curious soul, though a little self-conscious. When he ventures away from his home one day, he happens upon the river bank where he observes all of the happenings until he meets a river rat or Ratty as he calls him when they become friends. Ratty is very organized, punctual and accomplished at many practical tasks. He's conservative and predictable. Ratty and Moley become great friends, and Moley decides to stay on with Ratty by the river bank indefinitely, instead of going back home. The book contains several stories from the beginning of Ratty and Moley's friendship, until Moley misses his home and decides to try and find it again with the help of his friend. Along the way we meet Otter, Badger and the infamous Mr. Toad.