Are you looking for a classic series to add to your family read-aloud time? Do you have a child who loves animals and epic adventure? If your family loves The Chronicles of Narnia or The Hobbit, it’s time to take a look at the Redwall Series!
Redwall is an impressive red sandstone abbey in Mossflower, a fantasy world filled with talking woodland animals and page-turning adventure. The creatures that live at Redwall are known throughout the land for being peaceful and helpful. But just as in real life, things are not always calm for these peace-loving animals. Inevitably, trouble finds its way to the abbey, and readers are whisked off into an imaginary world full of humor, mind-bending riddles, intrepid heroes, and rabble-rousing villains.
Take our free Redwall Series Checklist to your local library!
British author Brian Jacques grew up in Liverpool, England, and was greatly influenced by the writings of celebrated authors like Arthur Conan Doyle, Kenneth Grahame, Sir Thomas Mallory, and Daniel Defoe. He discovered his own talent for writing when he was just ten years old. The many different jobs Jacques held as an adult influenced his writing and helped him create action-packed journeys for his readers.
Children who enjoy epic battles and knightly quests will love the Redwall series. The flowery language may be hard for modern readers at first, but then the story takes over and draws the reader in. And since battles are an integral part of the series, the description of some scenes may be too intense for more sensitive readers. But Brian Jacques is an expert at character and plot development, which is one of the reasons readers will keep coming back to read more and more of this 22-book series.
In Redwall, the first book in the series, readers meet Matthias, a young mouse who yearns for action. Redwall is normally a place of peace and calm, but Matthias is determined to fight off Cluny the Scourge, a wicked rat who longs to claim the abbey for himself. Eventually the abbot realizes Redwall must indeed be defended, and he places Matthias and Constance the badger in charge of protecting the abbey. Matthias’ adventures begin with the quest to find the sword of Martin the Warrior, the original defender of Mossflower. Will Matthias find it in time? Will he be able to save his friends?
In book two, Mossflower, the reader is taken back in time to discover Martin the Warrior’s story. Besides introducing readers to the ancestors of some characters from the first book, Mossflower explores how Redwall came to be and ties together some loose ends for the reader. But as in Redwall, it’s the action that keeps readers turning the pages. Will Martin outsmart the evil wild cat Tsarmina? Whose plot will succeed in the end?
Matthias’ headstrong son Mattimeo takes center stage in Mattimeo, the third book in the series. Like his father before him, Mattimeo doesn’t fit the mold of abbey mouse. His propensity for mischief lands him in trouble on a regular basis. When Slagar the Fox kidnaps Mattimeo and the other children of Mossflower, readers are drawn into the children’s plight from two different angles. What will Matthias and the other parents encounter in their attempt to rescue their children? Will Mattimeo and his comrades be able to escape?
If your child loves the first book in this series, there are twenty-one more for him to enjoy. So beware–you may find yourself engrossed in the world of Redwall for quite some time!
Author: Brian Jacques
Genre: juvenile fiction, fantasy
Interests: adventure, animals, knights, quests
Suggested age range: age 10 and up
Gender preference: boys and girls
In the series: 22 books, 350+ pages each
Do your kids need a little extra encouragement to read? Take our Redwall Series checklist to your local library and have your child check off books as he reads them.
Looking for more great chapter books? We’ve got you covered!
SM Klein
says:Feel like I was tricked!
I am looking for the Redwall audio series!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceSM,
Audible, owned by Amazon, has the Redwall series on audiobook. However, also check our local library system. Many US library systems are now offering digital checkouts of audiobooks free with your library card number. My local library is very receptive to getting new audiobook titles that are requested too.
Amber H.
says:I am loving these chapter book reviews and lists! I’ve found some new stories I think my children are going to love! Thank you!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m excited that our chapter book reviews are helping you find books your children are going to love, Amber! 😊
Lydia R.
says:I read Narnia with my older one when he was younger, but I suspect my younger one won’t be as interested. I might try Redwall with him instead since he does like animals.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceLydia,
Redwall is a great series, but if you would like another suggestion for a fantasy story starring animals, also look at our Green Ember review. There are so many great books out there; I hope you find one your younger child will love!
Jess
says:These sounds great. thanks!
Lisa Emerson
says:Thank you for your thoughtful ideas!
Theresa
says:Sounds like fun!
Melissa
says:The red wall sounds like a fascinating book
Danny
says:love this
Yvette
says:What a great recommendation!
Gina
says:This is something my daughter would love! Thanks for the review.
Shelley Langston
says:My son loves adventure series and mice (thank you, Stuart Little), so this looks like a perfect series for us to enjoy together. I will also have to check out the cookbook!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceShelley,
If your son loves mice that go on adventures, he might like the Mouse and the Motorcycle and The Tale of Despereaux. It does seem there are lots of mice having adventures in literature!
Julia Carvalho
says:Thank you for the great tips!
Misty
says:These sound interesting
Lynne
says:Thank you. The checklist will be a great help!
Brianna
says:This would be fun to read!
nicole
says:these might be a great way to get reluctant readers involved!
Tami Taulborg
says:Thank you for all the great help in teaching reading! These books are going to be added to our list of books to read!
Nancy
says:These have been on my to-read list for so long! I think my fantasy-loving daughter would love them.
Brenda
says:My daughter just asked to watch The Hobbit. I told her she would have to read the books first.
I think this would be a better match for her reading level and comprehension level.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceBrenda,
Maybe not.
Our recommendation for Redwall for ages 10 and up is for what ages this would be a good read aloud. Scholastic lists Redwall as a 7.8 grade level. It lists a 6.6 grade level for The Hobbit.
However, both Redwall and The Hobbit have wonderful audiobooks available and are very enjoyable to listen to. My oldest child never read The Hobbit, but he listened to it at least three times before leaving for college.
melton
says:I really enjoyed reading these stories when I was a young librarian. However, when reading it with my son I felt like there was so much focus on revenge that I postponed reading more of the series for a bit. The animals come to life and the character development is wonderful.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you for this critical review; we appreciate it.
Karyn
says:Can’t wait to read these with my kids!
Mindy
says:These look like something my son would really enjoy! Thanks!
Sarah Goodsell
says:I love this series. It is fun and if you find the audio books to listen to with your children most of them were done with a full cast and the kids can become immersed in the story.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceSarah,
Yes! The audiobook version of Redwall is really exceptionally done!
sabrina
says:Thank you SO much for this post! I’ve been looking for a new series for my kiddos. The checklist is very helpful and much appreciated.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI hope your kids enjoy it, Sabrina!
Liz
says:When I taught 4th grade, many of my students loved this books. I am glad for the reminder of them!
Sarah Houser
says:This is my 1st graders favorite series right now! Glad to see it endorsed on a quality site like this!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceSarah,
We are happy to see that this series is so well loved!
Samantha
says:Looks like a wonderful series!
April T
says:Thanks!
Jessica Justice
says:This seems like such a cute little series. I can’t wait to pick up so I can read it with my son.
Tiffanie h
says:Love great chapter books for my kids.