I don't know if Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows is at all well-known in the USA, but here in the UK it's a classic of children's literature, rivalling the Alice books. Here is an interesting article that argues that the book was really aimed at adults.

Like much "kiddie lit," it operates at two levels. It was certainly well-known by my generation, but isn't high on the lists today as far as I know. Caterwauller, this is a good one for you to answer. I'll also ask Sunflower, who once again is employed by a library.

Back in the 1950s (?) Disney did a cartoon version, and in 1996 there was a Monty Python version.

It's a great book. I read it as an adult.

My kids read it and loved it.

I think most good children's literature can be read on different levels by children and adults.