Book Description

Illustrated in black-and-white. This ingenious fantasy centers around Milo, a bored ten-year-old who comes home to find a large toy tollbooth sitting in his room. Joining forces with a watchdog named Tock, Milo drives through the tollbooth's gates and begins a memorable journey. He meets such characters as the foolish, yet lovable Humbug, the Mathemagician, and the not-so-wicked "Which," Faintly Macabre, who gives Milo the "impossible" mission of returning two princesses to the Kingdom of Wisdom. ... Read more

Reviews (363)

Take an adventure inside your own imagination
I read this book as a child, and very happily reorded it when a memory of it surfaced. The plot is as excellent as I remembered it. A young boy named Milo finds the entire world to be completely uninteresting, and he's already bored, cyncial and jaded, despite the fact that he can't be more than 12 years old. Somebody gives him a way to explore, and he's off to a fantastic land of imagination in his little electric car. Once there, he finds that knowledge and thought have become personified. He encounters cities of words and numbers, a woman who guards and saves sounds, he literally jumps to Conclusions, takes a swim in the sea of knowledge. The main plot involves Milo and some assorted friends (my favorite is the watch-dog Tock, who has a real watch on him, but then I've always loved dogs) rescuing two princesses who are trapped in the Mountains of Ignorance. Milo must battle all of the demons that plauge goodness and knowledge to accomplish his goal. Along the way, he discovers that he and the world are much more interesting and exciting than he thought. Besides that, another little gem is hidden in here. Life is not just about learning and pursuing knowledge. There are many varities and experiences out there. Math, science, art, history and so on. The key is not just learning about them, but learning how to balance them so that they all work together to make us better people. Milo got the message in the end, and I hope that more follow in his footsteps. This book is written on a children's level, but the author never talks down to kids or patronizes them. It's a pleasant read for all ages. Enjoy!

It doesn't get better than this
My father read this book to me the first year it was published. I was nine and it has been on my bookshelf since. I can't tell you how many copies of this I have purchased for people.

This is a great book to encourage thinking, not simply memorizing. Each page contains new language, new ideas, new ways to play with learning. It also happens to be a wonderful story. I may have been too young at nine to read it on my own, but certainly it is a great read-aloud for children nine or a bit younger. At nine, I didn't understand all the fancies, but like the Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland, this book succeeds on many levels.

The Phantom Tollbooth encourages a child's love for language. It paints wonderful pictures (with the help of Feiffer's charming line drawings). It is as perfect a thing as can be written.

Oh, and if you're an adult without any children at home - buy the book for yourself. It will take you away from the Doldrums and into the Kingdom of Wisdom where your spirit can be renewed.

Classic wordplay!
This book is fun for all ages, one of the handful of great children's books that will still be fun to read 50 years from now. It's like Dr. Seuss for older children. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

What a wonderful book
This book is just so clever. I mean the word play in this book never ends. I love all the ideas in this book, but my favorite ideas are that sounds are made and that someone plays the color in the world. I will most likely allways remember when Milo claps his hands and all the paper surrounds him. This is my third time reading this book and I highly recomend it to anyone and everyone.

REALLY REALLY GREAT!
this book is so so good. I really like the spelling bee.I think this book is the funniest book I have ever read in my life.this book should get all the awards. ... Read more

Book Description

One evening Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight. But there wasn't any moon, and Harold needed a moon for a walk in the moonlight. Fortunately, he had brought his purple crayon. So he drew a moon. He also needed something to walk on. So he drew a path...

And thus begins one of the most imaginative and enchanting adventures in all of children's books. The creative concept behind this beloved story has intrigued children and kept them absorbed for generations, as page by page unfolds the dramatic and clever adventures of Harold and his purple crayon.

Reviews (73)

Power and a Purple Crayon
*Harold and the Purple Crayon* mesmerized me as a child. My 5 year old adores it, and my ten year old can't hide his continuing enthusiasm. With his purple Crayon, sensible Harold creates the moon so that he can see where he's going. He accidentally creates the sea (his drawing hand shakes, thus making waves appear) but soon negates this potential danger by drawing a boat and, finally, land. When hungry, Harold draws a delicious picnic with purple food. Harold copes.

The central idea is that a child, no matter how small, can exert control over the world, and when that child makes mistakes -- drawing a choppy sea, for instance -- those mistakes can be remedied. This book gives a child power. Grown-ups don't count; Harold makes what he needs without help. Under the influence of this book, at the ripe age of 11, I created a club called "The Purple X", in which, using purple markers to send letters, I set out to right all wrongs. Harold goes one better; he makes light and land. And the book makes children who feel empowered to tackle the problems of a big, scary world.

Harold harold bow-berald, banna fanna foe-ferald...
There's something about Crockett Johnson (real name David Johnson Leisk) that is instantly recognizable. Like Matt Groening of "The Simpsons" fame, Johnson had a particular style of drawing that was both simple and infinitely adaptable. Though he drew the comic strip "Barnabus" and the incredibly simple, "The Carrot Seed", it is "Harold and the Purple Crayon" that won Johnson the fame he has today. The story has been ripped off a million times in a million different ways, but we can all credit this original as the first of the first. All hail that spunky Harold and his oh-so purple crayon.

When we first meet Harold he and his magical purple crayon are already well acquainted. No picture in this book appears that Harold does not draw himself (aside from Harold himself). Our intrepid hero sets off on a series of small adventures that are both intentionally and unintentionally caused by his crayon. Drawing everything from the moon (which makes a point to appear on every single page that Harold finds himself on) to dragons to flying balloons to a policeman, Harold has a gay old time.

Wanna hear a petty complaint? A petty, insignificant, hardly-worth-listening-to complaint? Okay, here goes..... it bothers me that Harold's crayon never gets smaller. By logical extension it should, shouldn't it? Of course, by logical extension I should remember that this is, after all, a MAGIC purple crayon. Maybe magic crayons don't get smaller. Obviously I don't know the rules that govern crayons particularly well. If I did I wouldn't be having these problems. In any case, that's my only objection to this book. It is, I know from personal experience, a heavily adored and respected story. People will carry copies of this book with them all their lives. There is something about Harold and his tiny adventures that speaks to the hearts of millions. If you've never had the pleasure of reading a Crockett Johnson book, this is the place to start. If you have read this book, read it again. It's just that good.

One of the best bedtime books ever!
My 3.5 year old son adores this book and I do too. We read it nearly every night. Harold is an imaginative little boy who draws a world of his own. My son is always talking right along with the book about all the wonderful things he is going to draw. I think every child should have this book. I can't wait 'till my son can read it for himself!

Story of a Little Boy with a Huge Imagination
This classic little book is a lovely reflection on childhood imagination and the joys of creativity.

Tiny wide-eyed Harold, in his one piece jammies and purple crayon in hand, wanders through the night using the dark canvas of sky to draw whatever fanciful dreamscapes his curious young mind can conjure.

No dummy is our Harold. He is an inventive little fellow who devises his own path, invents his own moon to light his way, makes a boat when he finds himself enveloped in a purple sea, creates pies when he is hungry, and so on until he is tired. Thanks to cleverly leaving behind special images as pointers to guide his way, he makes it back home in one piece and with lots of exciting stories to tell.

This is such a delightful book for children and one of the reasons is that it can be used interactively. Read the story with your kids then give them some crayons and a huge sheet of paper and let them loose to design and explore their own magical worlds.

Harold et la differance
Under an everpresent crescent moon, Harold's signifying crayon implies the metacritique immanent in all eschatologies: Outcoding the text beneath him, he at once embraces and negates the subject's death in a meeting of poststructural praxis/(post-)modern framing with narrotological desire. Harold, purple crayon firmly in hand, rises from the smoking ruins of continental thought; but having been "written", will our protagonist find fortitude to "write" his way out of the aporias inherent in a de-centered, post-historical dasein?

There is hope....The trace, in erasure of its present presence, loops back from Harold to Johnson, engendering ample clues for resistance to our clinical gaze...But the specter of psychoanalytic eschatology haunts his every gesture. Every slippage is deferred, in its deferral, of Harold's problematized Lacan, leaving no indivisible remainder, defying the fatal strategies of his feints (forgetting Baudrillard) to attempt that final erasure of Derrida's (cottage) industry through a (re)sound(ing) metanarratalogical poetic. Outdistancing at every step all Derridean slippage, Harold's gestures in the dark problematize the infinite substitution and free play within a field of signifiers (themselves privileged signifieds of the wall/not-wall of the enclosing space/page), resisting inevitably all attempts at reconstituting envelopes of perfomative (de-)coding. With startling metaphysical elan, Harold slips the bounds of our logocentric world to inscribe traces of an essentialist foundation light-years beyond the binary opposition (re)inscribed by la differance: beyond Freud, with (in) Freud, with(out) Freud, to be about Freud, forgetting Freud.

All in all, this "Harold" represents a remarkably vigorous (re)covery of Saussurean categories.

This is no boy scribbling terse graffitos to a lost master narratology; this is the newly minted currency of our retinal field. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a love song devoted to that special relationship between grandparents and grandchild. The kitchen window at Nanna and Poppy's house is, for one little girl, a magic gateway. Everything important happens near it, through it, or beyond it. Told in her voice, her story is both a voyage of discovery and a celebration of the commonplace wonders that define childhood, expressed as a joyful fusion of text with evocative and exuberant illustrations.The world for this little girl will soon grow larger and more complex, but never more enchanting or deeply felt. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey bask in the glorious Summerof the Late Rose, all is quiet and peaceful. But things are not as theyseem. Cluny the Scourge, the evil one-eyed rat warlord, is hell-bent ondestroying the tranquility as he prepares to fight a bloody battle forthe ownership of Redwall. This dazzling story in the Redwall series ispacked with all the wit, wisdom, humor, and blood-curdling adventure ofthe other books in the collection, but has the added bonus of takingthe reader right back to the heart and soul of Redwall Abbey and thecharacters who live there.

Magical, mystical, and the stuff of legends, this stunning tale of goodbattling with--and ultimately triumphing over--evil takes the reader ona roller-coaster adventure that barely draws breath from the first pageto the very last. Brian Jacques is a true master of his craft.--Susan Harrison ... Read more

Reviews (623)

Redwall is a joy to read at any age

Redwall is one of the finest examples of children's literature I've ever read. The detail that Brian Jacques puts into his books makes them a joy for children to read...and for adults to read aloud, or to themselves.

In Jacques' books, each species of animal speaks with a different dialect, mostly different British dialects. The descriptions of the foods and feasts of Redwall Abbey make one want to go out and try some of the moles "Deeper 'n' ever pie;" and what I wouldn't give to be able to taste one of the Abbott's cakes frosted with buttercup cream!

Brian Jacques has given the world a book that children and adults alike can enjoy. He begins with a wonderful description of the tales' villian...Cluney the Scourge...and holds the reader spellbound through the mysteries, adventures and romances that follow.

I first read this book about four years ago. Then, while I was pregnant with our only child, I then proceeded to read it a second time, aloud, so that my daughter, Madison, would develop a love of literature at a very young age. I even recorded the story so that Madison would be able to listen to it in the future.

Many times we are tempted to "wait for the movie," especially when it comes to children's literature. But this book is made for reading. Jacques unique dialects and "turns of the phrase" are wonderful for the preteen set to read by themselves (at 400 or so pages, they can feel like they are finally reading a real novel) or for an adult to read aloud to a younger group.

Once you have read this first in Jacques' Redwall series, you will find yourself eagerly awaiting the next installment (just like I do).

As I stated before, it has been over four years since I read this book, so please forgive any misspellings of the villian's name.

By the way, for those of you who are interested, Madison, who just turned two, already brings me stacks upon stacks of books every night to read before we go to be. I fear I have created a monster!

A Brilliant and Captivating tale...
"Redwall" is a thrilling piece of storytelling that has captured the hearts of fans around the world with its heart-pounding adventure, lovable characters and "hare"-breadth escapes. The amazing descriptive elements help bring the written word to life.

Fantasy has rarely had the warm, inviting feel of the Redwall series, especially this fabulous first enstallment. Its mystery,intrigue, and conundrums to unravel, as well as its twists of fate, assure that it will go down as a classic.

Matthias is a young novice mouse of the Redwall order, a rather clumsy creature, who has left every mouse in the Abbey wondering what his destiny will be. After the celebration of their Abbot's Golden Jubilee, a large horde of rats is discovered roaming the land in a horse-cart, lead by an usually large rat with one eye...

The characters in Redwall are all animals, such as those native to England (rats, mice, badgers, squirrels, foxes, and so on). The distinction between the protagonists and antagonists, and the differences in each creature's "personality" (not to mention their differences in accents and dialects!) add to the enjoyment. "Redwall" is uniquely fullfilling. This is the beginning of a long journey enjoyed by people of all ages. Redwall has grown to be one of my personal favorites, as have all the Redwall books, and will surely become a favorite of any enthusiastic reader.

great book!
I read this book based on an enthusiastic recommendation. And I am so glad I did. I'm now a happy fan of Brian Jacques and the entire Redwall series.

The story moves along very nicely, with good editing and excellent characters. I found myself reading late into the night just to see what happens to them and how it ends. The only warning I have is to be prepared to be hungry! The feasts are described in wonderful detail with great imagery and colorful conversations. It's very reminiscent of holiday gatherings and family dinners from childhood.

This book impressed me. I know it was written for children, but it absolutely does not read like one. I can see why younger readers would enjoy it, but adults will love it too. It would be a great book to read aloud or just keep it to yourself.

Enjoy!

A DELIGHTFULLY ENCHANTING MOUSE TALE!!!
I'ts been a long while since a book has given me such absolute pleasure as this remarkable little adventure (ah-hem) tale about a novice mouse hoping to become a brother of the Redwall Abbey in Mossflower woods. Instead he becomes the Abbey champion when he leads the fight against Cluny The Scourge: a particularly foul, one-eyed rat that threatens the peace and safety of Redwall and the surrounding countryside. This is a classic fantasy novel in the tradition of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis with a host of unforgettable characters (and loads of violent confrontations that could scare younger children). Jacques' prose is delicious to devour and highly recommended to anyone who doesn't enjoy reading: a fact that whets one's appetite for the next entry in the series. HARSH LANGUAGE: about 6 words, VIOLENCE: about 40 scenes, SEXUAL REFERENCES: none.

The Guerilla Union of Shrews! (Read the book to figure out)
Fans of Watership Down and heroic tales of battles and quests will be intrigued with the unique world of personified animals that Brian Jacques has created. Bizarre but equally entrancing, Redwall will captivate readers and keep them prisoner until the very end. The book opens with a description of Redwall Abbey which is owned by an order of monk-like mice and an introduction to Matthias, a clumsy, awkward, "brother-in-training." Matthias, Father Abbot, and the other brothers have lived in relative peace for many long years, providing shelter and care to local woodland residents and all those in need. This humble but satisfying way of life is threatened one summer night when Matthias first lays eyes upon the legendary warlord, Cluny the Scourge, and his horde of rats ready to plunder and pillage. Where these villainous rats have come from is unknown but it is quite clear that Cluny has his one eye set upon claiming Redwall as his stronghold. All that stands between the death and destruction of the entire Mossflower region is the monastery brothers and sisters. Now these practitioners of mercy, healing, and love must become skilled defenders of their home.

Young Matthias experiences a tremendous transformation from an orphaned immature mouse to a natural born leader and developing warrior. To save Redwall from its invaders he embarks on a quest to find the lost sword of Martin the Warrior, a founder of their abbey. During his search he discovers his past and destiny, learning valuable lessons of life, honor, and what truly lies in a warrior's heart along the way. Join the mice and their companions as they encounter new friends and enemies during their struggle with the terrible Cluny the Scourge. Redwall is a strangely imaginative and enchanting story that will change your views on furry rodents forever. ... Read more

Book Description

Mossflower, prequel to Redwall, is widely acknowledged by fans as one of the most memorable volumes of the bestselling Redwall series. It is now available in a special format, with six all-new, full-page illustrations and a brand-new map by David Elliot (illustrator of Triss and The Angel’s Command, and winner of the 2003 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Award). Fans will be eager to add it to their collections, and those new to the Redwall series will want to pick it up to find out how the grand epic got its start. ... Read more

Reviews (257)

A Thrilling Prequel to Redwall!
I really enjoyed this book, because it was a very good science fiction/ fantasy book. It was a very good book that kept me wanting to read it more and more to see what happened next. I couldn?t put the book down once I began reading. It was about talking animals with a problem. Martin a warrior mouse was traveling from his home land, searching for his father when he was captured. He was thrown in the jail of Kotir in mossflower. He later finds out the all the woodland animals in mossflower are being enslaved and attacked by wildcats and there army. After being helped by the woodlanders he decides to stay with the woodlanders and help them defeat the intruders. With his new found friends he sets out to the mountain of Salamandastron to get help from a great warrior badger. On the way they overcome many hardships. While back in Kotir the rest of the woodlanders find out other ways to stop the intruders.
I rate this on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, a 5. I rate this a perfect five because this is just the kind of book I enjoy reading. This book also has a lot of action and fighting in it which kept me wanting to read more.

Bravery, cunning, determination. Mossflower has it all

A masterful story of cunning, treachery, determination, and bravery. Brian Jacques' tale of how the Redwall Abbey came to be is truly a must-read for any fan of the Redwall series, and for anyone who has not read one of the Redwall books, Mossflower is a great place to start!

The story is full of riddles, songs, memorable characters, and one cannot forget the battles of the peace loving woodland creatures versus the evil troops under the command of the the merciless wildcat Tsarmina. The brave Martin, clever Gonff, the strong Skipper of the Otters and a plethora of other colorful characters make this book one not to miss. There's something for everyone in this book, action, humor, love, mystery, and riddles that make the mind boggle!

Truly one of Brian Jacques' best and most beautifully done works, also a fantastic tale for all ages! This was the first of Jacques' books that I ever read, and I've looked forward to any of his new books ever since

Mossflower
Mossflower starts out kind of slow. But after awhile it starts to go faster. And u start to get more interesed in it. along the way Martin has lots of adventures. And has lots of enemies,but he also has lots of friends. this is a book that u can't put down.

Mossflower
This is in my opinion one of the best Redwall books. The story of a band of woodland creatures resisting the tyrannical reign of the evil wildcat queen Tsarmina, this book has lots of fighting and battle scenes. It is also the first book in which Martin the Warrior appears, the heroic mouse from the northern coast destined to free Mossflower from the cat's oppressive rule! This is the first Redwall book I ever read and it is one of my favorite books of all time! I would give it ten stars if I could!

Read it for Tsarina's tantrums
After reading Redwall I was hoping for greater insight into Martin's history. Mossflower though it introduces Martin it doesn't come close to filling in the back story in any coherent fashion. The only really entertaining bit of it is Tsarina's tantrums. She's portrayed wonderfully as a mad cat queen. ... Read more

Book Description

When you are very young,
there are some things that you just know....

This treasured story of childhood faith
rewarded is now avaliable in a board book
edition for the youngest child.

Reviews (19)

simple book about perseverance
This simple, short book is about a boy who plants a carrot seed. Everyone tells him it will not grow, but he perseveres and in the end is vindicated. A nice (and important) lesson for children. Illustrations are by Crockett Johnson, the author's husband, who gave us the Harold and the Purple Crayon books.

The granddaddy of all picture books in America
In his essay "Ruth Krauss and Me," author Maurice Sendak says "that perfect picture book, The Carrot Seed, the granddaddy of all picture books in America, a small revolution of a book that permanently transformed the face of children's book publishing. The Carrot Seed, with not a word or a picture out of place, is dramatic, vivid, precise, concise in every detail. It springs fresh from the real world of children."

This is a timeless classic that has been known and loved by children and parents for years.

A young boy is told by his parents, competition and his big brother that his carrot will not grow. After a long time of pulling weeds, watering and patience the carrot finally grows, and it is huge.

The author Ruth Krauss was born in 1901 is also the author of A Hole Is To Dig; I'll Be You and You Be Me; Charlotte and the White Horse; and many other childrens classics.

Naysayers
I do not feel the important lesson from this book is simple perserverance (as others have said). Nor do I feel it is about blind faith. The lesson I take from it is perseverance in the face of all the naysayers in life who would bring you down with them. Dare to dream big, work hard, and have faith in oneself in the face of adversity. This is the only children's book I have seen with such a theme.

Sweet without being overwhelming
When the New York Public Library announced its "100 Children's Picture Books Everyone Should Know" for 2003, I had never heard of "The Carrot Seed". It isn't as if the author and illustrator are unknown. After all, illustrator Crockett Johnson welded the pen that created "Harold's Purple Crayon". Yet the book recommended on this list is certainly one of his lesser known titles.

"The Carrot Seed" is a simple story of a boy and his burgeoning carrot. Informed by his family members, one by one, that his carrot will not grow and that any actions to help it are useless, he ignores them bravely. Initially when I looked at this book I was certain that its protagonist sported a yarmulke. This is not the case. I believe it is more of a jaunty cap. The book itself is very straightforward, with accompanying pictures of relative simplicity. Additionally, the payoff at the end is sweet and funny, but not particularly unexpected. You're not going to find any real surprises in this book and, admittedly, I'm a little amazed that it's so well remembered. Much of its popularity stems, I'm sure, from the lesson learned. This is a book about the benefits of perseverance. If that's your cup of tea, so be it. But if you'd like to delve into some of Crockett's better works, check out "Harold's Purple Crayon" or his little known (but lovely) comic strip "Barnaby".

My favorite book then, my favorite book now
My parents gave me the paperback version of this book as a child many years ago (which I still have), and I recall reading it over and over and over during my formative years. My mom bought me the hardback version again when I graduated from high school. I am nearly 30 years old now, and I still gravitate toward the very simple yet profound message it teaches all of us: have a quiet childlike faith, trust, persist, persevere and you will be richly rewarded. Today, I run a $2.5 million a year professional organization, and we recently completed a large corporate visioning project for the next several years. I read Krauss' book at the close of the first phase of our vision meeting. My colleagues--with a cumulative total of nearly 75 years of professional business experience--spontaneously applauded at the end of the book, no joke! I also purchased several copies of the book to give to my team as a reminder of the core values it espouses--simple, yet profound values that will guide us and lead us to the next level. It is a book of timeless value that touches my heart each time I read it--and one that you, your child, your family, your peers, or your colleagues will treasure for years to come. Buy it and share it with others, if you haven't done so already. ... Read more

Book Description

I want a pony. I want a pony more than anything in the world. At the heart of Susan Jeffers's exquisite picture book lies the idea that in her imagination, a child can journey anywhere and do anything-even fly through the stars on her very own pony. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Perfect Book For Horse Lovers Of All Ages
Beautiful illustrations and nice story too. Little girl in
story longs for a horse. Gets one in her dreams. Author's
own childhood desire for a horse was the inspiration for
her artistic talent at drawing horses. She states that she
now owns horses and tries to ride every day. Inspiring
message for horse lovers. Never give up on dreams!

Delightful, One I don't mind reading every night
My Pony/horse obsessed 3 yr-old daughter received this on Christmas eve from her Aunt and just loves it. It is one of those books that is just mesmerizing to her. It has also been helpful in showing her that she can have "her pony" in her imagination as well. It is really a sweet tale that has already been described in detail so I will simply leave it at that.

A wonderful book for horse lovers, young and old alike
My Pony is a wonderfully enchanting story of a young girl's dream of having her own pony. Each night when the young girl is supposed to be doing her homework, she dreams of riding her pony. The pony, Silver, comes to life when the young girl draws the beautiful dapples and shiny coat. Together at last, the girl and Silver ride the clouds and visit a fantasy world.
Susan Jeffers' latest story is beautifully illustrated and eloquently narrated. The words of the story combined with awesome illustrations seem to drip like honey off of the pages of this book. Jeffers' has done a spectacular job. This book is filled with whimsical fantasy allowing the reader to escape to a world filled with beauty and wonder.
This book is told from the young girl's point of view and the reader will quickly become lost in the story. Even though this book is keyed to young girls, 'old girls' are sure to revel in it as well. This book would be highly recommended and considered a valuable addition to any children's library. The breathtaking illustrations, done in fine line pen and watercolor, make a significant contribution to be viewed as an example of art for children. ... Read more

Book Description

Once upon a time there was a sensible straight line who was hopelessly in love with a beautiful dot. But the dot, though perfect in every way, only had eyes for a wild and unkempt squiggle. All of the line's romantic dreams were in vain, until he discovered . . . angles! Now, with newfound self-expression, he can be anything he wants to be--a square, a triangle, a parallelogram. . . . And that's just the beginning!

First published in 1963 and made into an Academy Award-winning animated short film, here is a supremely witty love story with a twist that reveals profound truths about relationships--both human and mathematical--sure to tickle lovers of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

I love this book.
This is a really clever story, and it is also an animation from the 60s. The story works on many levels, and also has that old fashioned element of trying to instill a value in you. The poor boring straight line decides that he is going to win the girl, no matter what, and then he develops into this genius. I guess the story is a version of the Ugly Duckling, but for adults. I have given it to a bunch of people and read it as a goodnight story to good (adult) friends.

It reads fast, the illustrations are cute (very 60s), the characters are all people you recognize...

For all ages...
I first read this book about thirty years ago and still chuckle when I page through its plum, black and white illustrations that underline an understated love story. A book for all ages -- the twenties, thirties, and forties. As a teacher I've shared this story with fifth graders, college students in creative writing classes, and foreign students learning the English language. However, I don't keep this 1963 edition around for my students. I keep it for the tongue in cheek wordplay and illustrative battle between the line and the squiggle for the deep affection of the dot. An age-old battle.

Very Clever short
I love this book. Its a smart educational book dealing with love and mathematics. Juster did a great job on this book. I could read it over and over again and never get tired of it.

The perfect gift
I bought this book for my husband for our first wedding anniversary (first is paper.) He loved it! A great story, wonderful drawings and just the right message. A great gift!

Just plain fun
I got this for my husband as an anniversary gift (first anniversary is paper.) He loved it!! Thought it was unique and fun. Great story & drawings. ... Read more

Book Description

In this sixteenth Redwall adventure, Martha Braebuck, a younghare-maid, wheelchair bound since infancy, wonders about a mysterious old poem relating to the ancient abbey of Loamhedge--and whether it may hold the key to hercure. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Can It Get Any Better Then This?
When it comes to story telling, that's what Brian Jacques does best. I have read four of his books, including 'Loamhedge,' and I love them! Now, back to the recent book. The adventure begins with Martha Braebuck, a haremaid that has been unable to walk since infancy. The fact that she may never walk bothers her, but she makes the best of it, until a dream from Martin the Warrior tells her that not all hope is lost, that the secret to her cure is in the abondoned abbey of Loamhedge. In the mean time, two old friends that used to live at Redwall, Sarobando the squirrel and Bragoon the otter, return to their home, and hearing about Martha's predicament and plan, they willingly offer to help, as long as three rebals, Horty, Martha's brother, Springald the mouse and Fenna the squirrel, don't go with them. And Lonna Bowstripe, a fearless badger that barely escaped death, is on a journey to end the evil life of Rage Bol, who is nearing the Abbey of Redwall. Full of songs, brave animals and a lesson that you don't have to carry a sword to fight back, Brian Jacques has created another masterpiece, and I can't wait for what's to come.

An Adventure Packed Tale
"Loamhedge" is another epic Redwall tale jam-packed with adventure and intrigue. The 16th book of the Redwall series is exciting from the very beginning. I have read all of the other Redwall books and every new book has been a little better than the last.

There are two main characters whose lives are portrayed in the story. Lonna Bowstripe is a badger who has always been a wandering warrior. The other main character is Martha Braebuck, who is a young haremaid always searching for knowledge. Both Martha and Lonna have friends that help them in their adventures. Horty Braebuck (Martha's brother), Abbot Carrul (head of Redwall Abbey), Bragoon and Saro (two of Redwall's best warriors), and Toran (the otter cook) all guide and advise Martha throughout her life at Redwall. Lonna's friends are the Abruc Sea Otter Clan (who healed him from a terrible vermin attack), Garfo Trok (a river otter who gave him passage up the Mossflower River), and Figalok Twigbenda (who hid Lonna from a horde of Sea Rats).

Brian Jacques incorporates two separate plot lines into his story. He begins his novel by introducing Lonna Bowstripe through a tragic experience. The Abruc Otter Clan find Lonna near the Sea Coast with a gashed face, lying on the ground next to a dead older badger. After being brought in and healed by the Clan, Lonna begins his adventures to avenge his close friend's death. The Clan tells Lonna that Raga Bol and his Sea Rat crew have come inland from the coast for the winter and he then vows to kill every last vermin including Raga Bol himself. Lonna sets off on his quest with the aid of the river otter, Garfo Trok.

The foundation of Brian Jacques' second plot line is the life of Martha, the young haremaid. The reader is informed that Redwall Abbey is a peaceful fortress in Mossflower County that houses and protects all sorts of working woodland creatures. This Abbey is where Martha leads her life, bound to a wheelchair. Handicapped from birth, Martha often finds free time for reading and gaining knowledge. When Martha discovers that another abbey beast from ancient times, who shared the same condition as Martha, had figured out how to walk, the plot line is revealed. Horty, Fenna, Bragoon, and Saro all set out to find the lost abbey of Loamhedge where the cure for Martha has been supposedly recorded. This begins the adventure to Loamhedge.

A main theme that appears often throughout the story is good triumphing over evil. Bragoon and Saro left Redwall as Dibbuns (young babes) to search for adventure. They become great warriors and fight vermin in Mossflower for a living. Whenever Bragoon and Saro fight they rarely shed blood. The reader sees them trick a fox and his filthy vermin crew out of their lunch and later save woodland creatures from ten score nasty vermin without a scratch. This theme is also evident in the actions of Lonna Bowstripe. Lonna saves Figalok and her squirrels from a terrible vermin threat that had been harassing the squirrel colony for their entire life. This theme is emphasized throughout the book.

I encourage any Redwall enthusiasts to read this book and if one has not read a Redwall book yet, do it! You will not be sorry.

Almost a 5
I was really hoping when I had heard that this book was called "Loamhedge" that it was more about the long-lost abbey. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed that it was merely about a journey to the ruins and not a story about it. I had been hoping for some more history of the beginnings of Redwall. Still, the book, like all of Jacques works, is filled with adventure and intrigue, happiness and sadness, danger and more. I proudly add this book to my collection!

Enjoyable read
Fans of Brian Jacques should be delighted with this latest installment of the Redwall series. As in the fifteen books preceding, LOAMHEDGE is full of mystery, adventure, romance, tragedy, and a myriad of characters we care about. In this book we are introduced to the wheelchair-bound hare named Martha Braebuck. More than anything, Martha would love to walk again, and this possibility comes to her through a vision/dream in which Martin the Warrior gives her some hints concerning the old abbey. If she can uncover these secrets, Martha should be able to lead a normal life.

When she shares her vision with other folks at the Abbey, they all work together to turn this miracle into a reality. This "quest" is helped along by the zany and loving characters of Braggon the otter and Sarobando the squirrel, best friends and former pranksters of the abbey who have been on their own world adventures and are ready and willing for yet another.

As always there are many layers to these stories, as interesting little characters weave in and out, creating subplots and more adventures. They include Martha's mischievous brother Horty --- who runs off with Sarobando and Braggon to help his sister, the evil searat Raga Bol (who holds the abbey under siege) --- and of course, all the fun "Redwallers" who are part of the colorful tapestry of the Redwall series.

Jacques's ability to create these wonderful personalities, evil and good, from animals is the height of skilled anthropomorphic writing. He has a huge following with a web site that is visited by many fans around the world (www.redwall.org). Outstanding artists lend these books an even greater depth --- all the covers are beautifully done, including this one with Troy Howell's beautiful painting. Charming ink drawings by David Elliot introduce each chapter and are also often featured on the web site.

Even if you have never read any books in this series before, you will still enjoy this latest addition to Redwall.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts (...)

Swabuclikng good tv
The amazing squel to Triss, and Taggerung. The Badger Lona Bula striop is on revenge. Against the evil Rag Bolag. A yuong hare Martha send two redwaller to Loamhedge to figure out the secret. That will allow here to walk.

When she was younger she was parlyzed due to Trama. Latter when the abott was in danger she got the ability to walk so she could save there abott.

If you like this book red the other 15 books in the series. ... Read more

Book Description

In this 15th Redwall adventure, the brave squirrelmaid Triss plans a daring escape from the enslavement of the evil ferret King Agarnu and his daughter Princess Kurda. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

New Redwall Book Sure to be a Hit
Triss, the 15th book in the amazing Redwall series is a sure hit for all ages! Once again Jacques has created a whole score of new and interesting characters for the story, as well as new and terrifying enemies for the creatures of Redwall Abbey. His amazing descriptions of beasts will make your heart pound with fear or excitement, and the good characters are lovable enough to make you cry.
The book starts with the lives of Triss, Shogg, and Welfo, three young slaves working at Riftgard, an island inhabited by searats and ruled by a family of Pure White Ferrets. They hatch a daring plan to escape, and flee the island forever. As they sail away, Triss promises one day to return and free all the slaves.
At the same time a young badger Sagax and his friend the hare Scarum leave Salamandastron with the otter Kroova looking for adventure.
It gets even more exciting when Kurda the ferret princess, asks for the Freebooters (a scurvy crew of searats) for help. They set sail to capture and kill the runaway slaves.
Meanwhile deep in Mossflower, two Dibbuns come across the most ancient Badger Lord hall... Brockhall. The plot twists and turns, and with the help of other good creatures the characters come together for an epic and final battle for Redwall and for freedom from the vermin forever.

This book is something I know you'll enjoy!
I always loved Redwall books and have read pretty much of them, so I've got to admit that they are getting a tiny bit boring for me. I was thinking of putting this book for four stars since this book was a little bit like "Martin the Warrior" (which is about slaves who escape an island ruled by vermin and promises to return to free the others), but the action, excitment, humor, and poems made me think, "Oh well, I loved this book anyway!"

Here's the Story:

Triss is a young brave squirrel who is enslaved with many other slaves on the island of Riftgard, which is ruled by the evil King Agarnu and his son and daughter Prince Bladd and the sadistic Princess Kurda. Triss and her otter and hedgehog friend Shogg and Welfo are determined to leave the terrible island and to return to free the other wretched slaves...and to slay the Pure Ferrets to end the evil for once and for all!

Meanwhile, two Dibbuns from Redwall Abbey have wandered off and gone missing in the Mossflower Woods. As they are found about a day later during a storm by Skipper of Otters and Log-a-Log the Chieftain of Shrews, the Dibbuns tell the elders that they had found an oak tree which provided them shelter. The oak tree had a cunningly hidden door, they said and the older Abbey creatures realize that the babies had found the mysterious Brockhall! They decide to find the place. (here's where most of the poems, songs, and RIDDLES comes out!) But some evil beast (or beasts?) are living there and they are determined to defend their home...

At the great moutain of Salamandastron, the stronghold of badgers and hares, the young badger Sagax and his gluttonous hare friend Scarum have runaway from endless chores and from the stern paw of their parents. Meeting their otter friend Kroova, they both sail out into the sea, planning to go to Redwall where food and safety was. (Scarum is pretty happy about the food!)

All paths and purposes of the three main runaways are different, but of course, they all cross at the famous Redwall Abbey!

I thought that this book had all that a book needed: Excitement, suspense, humor, and lots of action! All 402 pages of it would keep you intrigued, although around the middle part it gets a bit slow. I thought that bantering with the Freebooters and Princess Kurda was in a way kind of funny! Scarum is, like all hares, totally exasperating and has that usual 'British accent, wot wot?' I'm sure anyone would enjoy reading "Triss"! My other favorite Redwall books I recommend are:

"Lord Brocktree"
"Taggerung"
"Martin the Warrior"

Of course, other Redwall books are cool too, but these are my favorites!

WOT WOT! and all that jazz
Evil. Princess Kurda is a one of the most evil known. She has grown tired of using vegetables to practice her sword fighting on. Now she wants to use the slaves that are rebellious to practice her sword fighting moves.
Triss is the last book in the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. It is the 16th book in that series. The characters in this book are all different. The villains are cruel and pitiless and the heroes are brave and courageous. This book has all kinds of different things in it. It has sword fighting, friends, enemies, attacks, captures and much more. The adventures in this series and book are interesting and they show all of the characters points of view in a story. They all have their own personalities. This makes the story a lot more enjoyable to read.
All of the characters in the Redwall Series are animals. My favorite animal out of all of the characters is the hare. They always say "Wot wot!" and "flipin" and "blinkin." The hares always make me laugh because they eat enormous amounts of food and then say it was a "little morsel of scoff". These books are hilarious and exciting at the same time. Brian Jacques is one of my favorite authors.

One of Jacques' Best!
What more can I say about this wonderful novel? It's got an intriging plot, has wonderfully colorful characters (including Triss and Princess Kurda) who are fully developed unlike some other novels whose dry, dull descriptions leave you wishing you had never opened it. I simply love this book and would also recommend "Les Miserables" for any of the Redwall fans.

Great ! Brian Jacques does it again
Brian Jacques has to be one of my favorite authors for good reason. This is another Fabulous book in the redwall series it displays all of his usual charm and witty songs. I love the new Hare Character and all of the wonderful new additions to redwall abbey. I cant wait to read his next book. I was totally impresssed. ... Read more

Book Description

The inhabitants of Redwall relax in the haze of summer-but as they do, the neighboring stronghold of Salamandastron lies besieged by the evil weasel army of Ferhago the Assassin. Worse still, Mara, beloved daughter of Urthstripe, Badger Lord of the Fire Mountain, is in terrible danger. Then a lightning bolt uncovers the sword of Martin the Warrior, and young Samkin embarks on an adventure that leads him to Mara. Can the good creatures triumph over the villainous Assassin?

Illustrated by Gary Chalk ... Read more

Reviews (118)

I loved it!!!
I had heard a few people talk about this Redwall series but I'm not usually to easy to please. After the first few pages I could tell this was not just another volume in any old fantasy series. This was awesome!I mean, any book that can make you believe and care about rodents in an abbey in the middle of nowhere has got to be something special. This was the most vivid, descriptive, engrossing book I had ever read. It was finished in short order. Needless to say, I now buy every Redwall book that comes out.The feasts, the battles, and especially the characters just leapt right out at me. I told a few of my friends about this amazing series and I can't think of a one who wasn't hooked. This was the only literary universe I had ever found myself wanting to escape to. The school library had multiple reservations on every book available! If that's not reason for praise, then I'm not sure what is.

Salamandastron
Salamandastron is the story of a fever spreading through Redwall Abbey. Two Redwallers, Thrugg and Dumble, must go north to the mountains to find the flowers of Icetor to make the medicine to stop it. At the mountain fortess of Salamandastron the badger lord, Uthstripe the strong, and his warrior rabbits called the Long Patrol fight off the villianous weasel, Ferhago the Assassin, and his evil horde. Meanwhile, Samkin and Arula of Redwall look for the sword of Martin the Warrior as Mara and Pikkle try to make it back to Salamandastron and the four strangely join. I liked this book because it makes me not want to stop reading and anxious for the next book in the series. Something exciting happened on every page. Salamandastron would be the perfect book for someone who likes action or adventure books. It would also be great for someone who has a good imagination. If you like this book you would like all the other books in the Redwall series.

Excellent
Out of all the Redwall books this one is one of my favorites. The mystery sourrounding the two badger cubs at the begginning adds a new twist to the already mysterious Salamandastron. I foind that Mara's path and Samkin's path are meant to be intersected always.

Rachel from Richview Middle School
At the beginning of the book the king or lord Ustripe the strong, who gets a warning that the wolves are coming and he didn't believe it was true until the molemaid told him it was true. Them two had known each other for along time and he always trusted her. So once he found out it was true he paini then he thought about the knight . I loved this book.Normally I like funny books, but even though it wasn't funny,I would read it again.

Best One in the Series
This was definitely my favorite of all Redwall books. I love the regality of the badger lords, and the playful toughness of the Long Patrol. Ferahgo the Assassin is one of the best villains ever - he is not just "bad," but devious, cunning, intelligent, and extremely appealing. This was the first one I read and the best of the bunch. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When ferret Swartt Sixclaw and his arch enemy Sunflash the Maceswear a pledge of death upon each other, a young creature is cruellybanished from the safety of Redwall. As he grows, he seeks revenge onthe people of Redwall and finds himself embroiled in a hostile battlewith far-reaching consequences.

An epic tale of Redwall from the pen of master storyteller BrianJacques, Outcast of Redwall is a kaleidoscope of color, range,and emotions that culminates in a bitter contest between good and evil.None of the passion of the earlier Redwall titles is lost, as some ofthe most cherished landscapes and best-loved characters from previousbooks are revisited, with a wisdom and clarity that has developed andendured.

On a basic level, this is a marvelous fantasy adventure story. Lookdeeper and you will find that Outcast of Redwall, along with theother titles in the series, has a divine, enduring quality that ranksit among he best in children's literature. --Susan Harrison ... Read more

Reviews (153)

A Classic Tale of Good and Evil with a Twist
The book is good reading and the plot is action-packed with characters that are well developed and imaginative. Of the main characters Sunflash the Mace, my favorite, is a powerful leader of good. Swartt Sixclaw is the vengeful force of evil in the story, and his son Veil Sixclaw is the outcast referred to in the title. Veil, who was abandoned as an infant, has been raised at Redwall Abbey by the kind mouse maid Bryony. Veil is a combination of good and evil and is a mystery throughout the story. His wicked behavior causes him to be thrown out of Redwall. As a result, Veil struggles with his emotions and the difficult choices he must ultimately make. In the end, Veil surprises the reader with his uncommon act of heroism. The author, Brian Jaques, grabs the reader's interest by including in the story the elements of war, love, violence, evil and friendship. I really liked this book and think that it should be read by anyone who enjoys action stories and just plain good reading.

The Outcast Of Redwall By:Brian Jacques
"Eeulaliaaaaaa!"
The camp came to life instantly. Two vermin fell under the club as the badger threw himself at Swartt. Before the ferret had half drawn his sword, the badger's club thudded hard against his foe's six-clawed paw. Swartt screeched and fell back injured, yelling to his creatures, "Stop him! Kill him!"

This is just one of the many action-packed scenes from The Outcast of Redwall. The author, Brian Jacques, puts up a compelling performance in this novel. It is an epic story with a great mix of action, adventure, and drama. It is a long book, over 300 pages, but is worth the time and effort to read it.
There are many characters in The Outcast of Redwall, but I'm going to limit them to just the main characters. First, there is Swarrt Sixclaw. He is very cruel and ruthless. He commands a large army. Then there is Veil, who is also pretty cruel, but not as ruthless. He gets kicked out of Redwall. There is also Sunflash, who is a Badgerlord. He is Swartt's archenemy. He is the protagonist. Finally, there is Skarlath. He is Sunflash's best friend. Skarlath is usually the wiser between himself and Sunflash. He is also usually a lookout: as he is a kestrel (a bird of prey).
Basically, the story is about a Badger Lord named Sunflash and a ferret warlord named Swartt. Swartt and Sunflash are archenemies. Later on in the story Swartt has a son named Veil, who gets taken in by the creatures of Redwall Abby (a great abby made of red sandstone). He commits a terrible crime and gets cast out (hence the title The Outcast of Redwall). Swartt, Veil, and Sunflash end up meeting, and one final battle takes place. But... you'll have to read the rest to find out!
In the end you learn that there is good in everyone, and that it doesn't matter what someone acts like or looks like because they still can be good at times. Also, it doesn't matter whether you are the son/daughter to a dishonest, deceitful, or a cruel person; you can still be a courteous, kind, and a friendly person.

Outcast of Redwall
Veil, a ferret in Brian Jacques's book Outcast of Redwall, is raised in Redwall. Son of a warlord and a vermin, he doesn't listen to the advice of his elders and caretakers but leads a life full of mischief. When he is thrown out of the abbey, Bryony, his adopted mother/friend/advisor, goes after him. She still believes there is still some good in him. Is there?
Sunflash and Skarlath had been friends since they were very young. They were true friends, warning each other of danger and helping each other in times of need. Would it always be like that?
This book is a great book about having faith in others and being a good friend. I like it because it is one of the typical Redwall books with badgers, otters, squirrels, mice, and hares, but it's different than all the rest because in not one of the other ones has a vermin, in this case a ferret, been raised in Redwall. I like that uniqueness about this book. I also like how it shows that even if someone has been bad all their life, they can still do good things.

Outcast of Redwall
I think Outcast of redwall is the best book in the redwall series. All the characters are really intresting(especially Veil). Its got lots of action, is really funny, it has lots of different and intresting animals, it is very exciting, has lots of funny songs, hard riddles to solve, great food, intresting words, lots of different forts and castles,each type of animal has its own accent and personality.

Book 8 rocks
A excellent story about good versus evil. A theme that looks can be decieving. Just because some and looks and acts bad doe not mean there is evil inside of him.

Sun Flash the Mace the Badger has sworn to slay the Evil Swart six claw. To protect Salmastron and Mossflower from the Evil Swart six claw.

It called out cast of Redwall because Swart the Fert has a soon who he abadoms on the battle field. He is addopted by the Redwaller. He is hate by must the people he is seen as evil does many bad thing. The only person who respect him is the Grand daugther of Gonf. Yes Gonf from Mossflower and Legend of Luke.

Year go bye Swart is now and Adult so is sun Flash and he is big and he is a big buff badger. I mean it when Jacques wrote this series he decide to Make the young and middle age badger adnormal strong.

Viel at the end of book two is exiled from Redwall from posioning one of the creatures living in the abbey. He goes and is filled with angry and rage. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For this enchanting novel Brian Jacques has brought to bear theexperience of his eventful and adventuresome life, a life which hastaken him all over the world and seen him variously described as folksinger, playwright, and broadcaster. No doubt his usual writingenvironment--garden in summer, conservatory in winter--provides himwith the ideal theater for observing the wildlife on which the book'sunusual central characters are based.

It is, perhaps, appropriate that the story line revolves around thetheft of the famous Redwall Tapestry, for Marlfox is a richlywoven tapestry, skillfully running together threads of the magical andmythical with the "natural world," to give its audience a heady blendof fairy tale and medieval adventure. The result is a tale of grandthemes and conflicting human passions played out against a backdrop ofhumor and uncertainty; yet the author manages never to lose sight ofthe reality of life as experienced by the human and animal kingdomsalike.

Young readers will gorge themselves on this literary feast, a spreadworthy of comparison to other classics in this vein such as TheHobbit, Duncton Wood, The Mythical Knights of the RoundTable, and the stories of C.S. Lewis. ... Read more

Reviews (147)

Another Great Read by Brian Jaques
Following in the tradition of his previous books Brian Jaques starts off this delightful adventure with a whole knew set of characters. The part that Brian readers will most enjoy is the connection between this book and the other books, allowing the reader to travel along with characters in their adventures. The apperance of the Marlfoxes brings in a mystery and gives the experianced Redwall reader a chance to quess to how they began. At the first introduction of these creatures I began to wish for a history on these fine characters. I sincerely hope thatt Jaques gives us a book compiling the Marlfox history. The one low point in the book was the carelessness of the abbey dwellers toward their children. They seem to be unconcerned with the younger ones(dibbuns), although this may be put in because of the days of peace that everyone at Redwall Abbey has experianced. Overall I recommend this to all Redwall fans as a way to explore farther into Mossflower. For those starting out on the series though I would suggest an earlier book that gives more background into the tale.

Action Packed Adventure with Friends
In Marlfox Brian Jacques takes you to peaceful Red Wall Abby. Until the pure evil Marlfoxes come to plunder the abbey. The humble Redwallers must learn new fighting skills to defend the abbey from the Marlfoxes and their army of water rats. The Marlfoxes steal something of great value to the Redwallers and 3 young Redwallers set of to reclaim it and restore it to its rightful place in Red Wall Abby. In the beginning of Marlfox, Brian Jacques's 11th book in the Red Wall series, the story starts off in Mossflower wood. The Swifty family of nomadic squirrels encounter the two marlfoxes magical, evil ax wielding foxes, Ascord and his sister Vinam. The two marlfoxes try to capture Jangler Swifty's daughter, Songbreas (Song for short) to take back to there mother and Queen Sith who must be surrounded by beauty at all times. But they can outfight Jangler Swifty and both end up injured. Later that day the Swiftys arrive at RedWall Abbey to warn the Redwallers of the dangerous Marlfoxes. They find a small band of actors there that encountered the Marlfoxes too. The Marlfoxes and their Water Rat allies try to plunder the abbey but the Redwallers hold them off in a gruesome battle. One marlfox slips in to the abbey with four water rats and steal the magnificent tapestry of Martian the worrier and take it back to the castle Marl on the hidden lake. Four young Redwallers set of to reclaim the stolen tapestry. The four companions made many new friends, allies and even three enemies. One important friend is Mighty Megraw, an osprey (a fish eating hawk). And Song finds her long lost grandfather living with some hedgehogs. Mighty Metegrew, song's grandfather and his hedgehog friends help Dann, Song, Deppler, and Burble free the slaves and restore the tapestry back at Red Wall. I loved this book because it has funny moments. It is also action packed. It shows what friends are for. If I had to rate this book on a one to ten scale it would be a ten. I strongly encourage you to read Marlfox.

Michael ...
The summerization of this bok can be explained in different ways. At the beginning it tells about different groups of characters encountering different bad guys, which are all marlfoxes. Six marlfoxes, two each go out and meet three groups of animals. All of the good guys go to Redwall to warn the villagers that marlfoxes are among the Mossflower Woods. They all meet up at Redwall and team up against the marlfoxes that try to steal the tapestry of Redwall. One by one good guys and bad guys are killed and murdered at Redwall. The marlfoxes steal the tapestry, and the smartest, slyest marlfox, Mokkan, steals it from the other marlfoxes. After that four young warriors from Redwall go out to retrieve it. Meeting many friends along the way, the four young warriors travel to the Island of Marl. This is where the marlfox Queen Silth lives, later on to be Queen Lantur because of Silth's death.
With help the four young warriors get to the island and free some of the slaves. The slaves help to fight the guards on the island. Three of the four warriors go to the king's room to take back the tapestry. The escaping marlfox, Mokkan, is later strangled and drowned by one of the slaves. In the end the four young warriors become leaders of their groups or tribes.

Marlfox
Marlfox is a rather good story, but it isn't one of Brian Jacques' best. Redwall has no leaders except Cregga Rose Eyes, who refuses to be an Abbess, and the cellarkeeper from The Long Patrol is still alive, Gurrbowl. How that is possible I do not know unless moles live forever. Also the adventuring part is quite boring and the White Ghost part is a bit ridiculous.

best book out of the previous 10
This is a very good book. I got hooked on it right from the very first page and couldn't wait to find out what would happen. This eleventh installment of the Redwall series is one for the ages. You should hurry and read this book. I think you'd enjoy it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As young Tammo dreams of joining the Long Patrol--the legendaryarmy of fighting hares that serves the Lady Cregga Rose Eyes, Ruler ofSalamandastron--the brutal reality of a battle with Damug Warfang'smighty battalion of savage Rapscallions fast approaches.

Brian Jacques has proved time and time again his ability to transportreaders into a world of fantasy and adventure that many writers ofadult books would love to emulate. The Long Patrol certainlyproves the point yet again, but distinguishes itself by being perhapsthe very best of all the Redwall books so far. Relying less and less onthe old, familiar Redwall characters and more and more on the ingenuityand passion of younger blood, The Long Patrol will certainly winJacques a fresh following while continuing to delight his existing armyof fans. --Susan Harrison ... Read more

Reviews (181)

One of Jacques best! A great addition to the Redwall Series
In this, the tenth book in the Redwall series, a young hare named Tammello De Fformelo Tussock (Tammo for short) leaves home to find adventure in the famous Long Patrol. During his travels with the squirrel, Russa Nodrey, he joins the famous hares in a desparate mission to save the Abbey of Redwall from a yet another vermin horde threatening the peaceful woodland creatures. However, this time there's a glitch in Jacques usual pattern: The south wall is falling down. Jacques again uses his masterful recipe for excelent and fantastic storytelling to create one of the best in the series yet. With "Pearls of Lutra," Jacques finally created a sequel to his best, Mattimeo. This sequel to "Pearls of Lutra" is well worth reading, more than once. Brian Jacques is easily one of the greatest story tellers, and the greatest English fantasy writer since Tolken.

ok good book
This book is about a hare named Tammo. He wanted to be in a group of highly praised hares called the Long Patrol. The long patrol is a bunch of skilled hares that defend a huge mountain called Salamandastron; this is also where they live. A squirrel named Russa Nordry is taking Tammo to be in the Long Patrol. He gets with the Long Patrol and there is only a small group of them. They are going to Redwall abbey to help them from the big army come to the abbey. The abbey is full of peace-loving creatures such as; mice otters, and moles. Before the war the abbey has gone through problems. To find out more and what happens to Redwall, read the book.
Some things I liked about the book were that it had a lot of action and action and suspense throughout the whole book, especially at the last battle at the end of the book. Many events take place during it making it a very suspenseful book. There is many more things I liked about this book, but I can't tell you all of them.
Some bad things about the book are: it's only a type of book for people who like war. It also took a long time to pick up. There was barely any action at first, but when it picked up it got really good.
This is a good book and I recommend it to people who like suspense, war, and action.

The Long Patrol Rules
Tammo is a young hare who has ambitions to join the regal ranks of the Long Patrol, a battalion who defends the area from thieves and bandits. One of these bandits is Damug Warfang, leader of the Rapscallions, and almighty enemy of the leader of the Long Patrol, Cregga Rose Eyes. Unknowingly, the combined efforts of these two characters is the only way to defeat the massive force of the evil Rapscallions, but what sacrifices must be made to achieve this goal?

Once again Brian Jacques shows his writing skills with a addititon to his great Redwall series. The Long Patrol is a awesome novel which places animals in the roles of people, but still consumes you in a heart felt and powerful story. With humor, drama, and love, The Long Patrol can set its place as a classic novel in the heart of all its readers. This book will entertain you in all aspects and keep you occupied for hours. If your up for a good book, this is a good one.

Jolly good!
I love the Redwall series, and I mean that I love every book in it. This one, however, is my favorite. I think that the hares are my favorite group of characaters in Jacques' books and since this book centered around the elite fighting unit known as The Long Patrol, it makes sense that this is my favorite. You can't help but fall in love with Tammo and Russa as they make their way to Redwall and it's famed fare. And Damug Warfang is one of those villains that you just love to hate. Redwall fan or not, this book is totally great!

Move over Watership down
This action pack book is the squeel to Mattimeo and Pearls of Lutra and Red Wall. A young rabit runs away from home to join the Long Patrol. They engage in epic battles aganist the evil Raspcallian army. The main villian is not as well protrayed as the others were.

Your favorite charactes such as the Guosim return. No abbey warrior in this one that has a large roll. Martin of Redwall is now dead. Rollo is no longer the recorder.

A good with lots of swash buckling. I you like adventure I suggest you read this and the other 15 books in the series. ... Read more