The Wind in the Willows

Kind of surprised it's classified as a children's classic. A glance at Wikipedia suggests Kenneth Grahame may have been writing from life, and while it's more focused on good and bad qualities of the individual than commentary on society as a whole, thematically it feels more directed towards an older reader. Wistful, beautiful writing clashing with one too many chapters dealing with a narcissistic, near sociopathic Toad.  It feels less like the Toad has a character arc, and more like they finally successfully forced redemption on him in the last few pages. I would very much rather have continued with the ‘and they were roommates' 😉 vibes of Mole and Rat, or even the activities of the relatable curmudgeon of Badger. 
⚠️ fatphobia