In the Wake of the Willows

In the Wake of the Willows, A Sequel to Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows.

In the Wake of the Willows is a children's novel by American author Frederick Gorham Thurber, and illustrated by Amy Thurber, first published by Cricket Works Press in 2019. A Second Edition was published in 2020.

A New World version of a classic, set on a New England coastal estuary in the 1920's. This is a story about the denizens of a very special river. For like their relatives on the other side of the ocean, this river had its own Rat, Mole, Badger, Otter, and Weasel clans.

When a spooky nocturnal creature starts terrorizing the riverfront, Mr. Rat's clever daughter sets to work solving the mystery and unmasking the culprit. But that is only the beginning of the intrigue and adventure one eventful summer.

This lyrically-written book features a mysterious Native American prophesy, a suspected sea monster, a scavenger hunt with a surprising twist, persnickety weasels, a mysterious clue etched on a piece of birch bark, some hilarious hijinks by Mr. Toad's son, a chatterbox bobolink, a devastating hurricane, a heroic rescue, a liberal sprinkling of gentle humor, nautical adventures in wooden boats, some historical fiction, an unusual square dance with fireflies, a campfire on the beach at night watching shooting stars, some scalding Advanced Praise, an outrageously conceited poem by Mr. Toad, and an snarky interview by the author.

This story is set against the rural backdrop of coastal New England almost a century ago. All the natural history and science in this book is accurate and will inspire young readers to learn more. Most of the locations, boat names, and historical events are accurate for the times.

The Author

Frederick Gorham Thurber was born in 1954 in Providence RI, the eldest son of Tracy Gorham and Katherine Thurber. He attended Bryant College, then Brown University, graduating in 19XX with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. He spent much of his free time fishing for striped bass in the waters of Buzzard's Bay, and exploring the Elizabeth Islands. With the help of the late Gordon Browne, he developed a deep love for the natural world. In the mid 1980s he began writing a weekly nature column titled "Woods and Waters" in the Chronicle and Shorelines newspapers that would run for 20 years. He was also a guest columnist in the Providence Journal.

On July 4, 2016, Mr. Thurber sustained a chainsaw accident. Confined to bed for 3 weeks, he re-read his favorite book, The Wind in the Willows. He was inspired to write a sequel, set in his beloved Westport River. Every night his family would crowd on the bed to listen to his new chapters. The bulk of the book was written in these three weeks, but it would take 3 years for the book to be published.

"The Beetle" interior illustration in graphite by Amy Thurber. Copyright 2019, 2020.

The Illustrator

Amy Thurber was born in 1966 in Colchester, CT, the eldest daughter of Dr. Andrew and Diane Turano. Her father was a keen naturalist and she grew up in the forests and fields near her house, immersed in the flora and fauna, geology and natural history of New England. She attended Rhode Island School of Design and graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Illustration. Amy produced many illustrations to accompany Mr. Thurber's "Woods and Waters" nature columns.