WIND in the Willows has gone all wifi for Christmas this year with the launch of a new ipad and iphone app of the classic novel.
Over 190 fully illustrative interactive pages bring the story to life like never before. Readers can drive Toad’s motor car, make the tyres squeal, crash it into hedges and plunge it over cliffs.
They can also conjure up butterflies from thin air, smoke Mole out of his hole, make the band of weasels sing and dance, chuck stones off a bridge to sink Toad’s boat, dress him, and even create a snowstorm among a myriad of interactive moments.
The app has been receiving rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic:
"I think I can safely say that today we have seen a milestone adaptation of The Wind in the Willows that will introduce Kenneth Grahame and the story to a whole new generation." - Nigel McMorris, Chairman, Kenneth Grahame Society.
“Ravishingly beautiful telling of the classic children's tale. Brilliant use of iPad technology. Irresistible fun for every child age 1 to 99.” – Rplight, itunes five star review.
“Truly magical version of a classic “, By Hyzenthlay 78, “A beautifully crafted app and a real treasure for kids and adults alike. The sound, illustrations and interactive elements really bring the story to life. It's just magical! Highly recommended!”
“Magical and Transcending!,” by K8ofNH. “This heart-warming storybook app has instantly become a family favourite in our home. This truly is an app with wonderful features. I love the "old" feel of this book, it's as though you are holding the original book in your hands. The sights and realistic sounds are magical and transcending.
The app was put together by a three man team comprising an award-winning novelist, artist and computer programmer.
They adapted the timeless tale of ‘The Wind in the Willows’ to take advantage of the iPad’s extraordinary capabilities and make a book that comes to life.
“From the start we insisted that the story must remain at the heart of the project. Everyone knows what a great, well-loved tale it is,” says writer Sam North. “I set out to capture its essence and not be seduced into overpowering the writing with special effects.”
The delicate illustrations have been created by world renowned muralist Steve Dooley.
He found inspiration in what Kenneth Grahame said to the original illustrator back in 1908. “I love these little people,” he said, “so please be kind to them,”
“It’s a message which I took very much to heart, myself,” says Steve. “These characters were loved into existence.”
In order to bring the drawings to life technical magic was needed in the form of Bobby Gilbert who would spend hours researching the minutiae of each and every page.
“I spent a long time researching bumblebee flight to get them as beautiful and captivating as Steve’s drawings,” says Bobby.
“We fell under the spell of the book - its characters, its humour, the wonderful eccentric lyricism of the words. It absorbed us; we had to do justice to it.”