Eulalia! (Redwall) (Hardcover)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 0399242090

Price: USD 12.36
85 used & new available from USD 2.00

The Searat captain Vizka Longtooth captures a young badger, which he decides to tame. But Gorath (the badger) is angry at the rats for killing his grandparents, and he plans to escape as soon as he can. Meanwhile, badger lord Asheye has a dream, telling him that Salamandastron’s new badger ruler will be found defending Redwall Abbey. He sends out perilous hare Mad Maudie to find the badger and bring him back. If that wasn’t complicated enough, Redwall Abbey has also banished a young hedgehog thief, telling him not to come back for a whole season. The resulting tale does indeed end up making sense in true Redwall fashion.

Doing a review of a Redwall book is always a challenge. I have read all eighteen books before this one, and I already have a favorite picked out. That being said, Eulalia! certainly meets expectations. The characters are just as memorable as always, the story just as complicated, and the ending just as satisfying.

Reasons and Raisins (School & Library Binding)
by Josephine H. Aldridge
ISBN: 0395276896

Price: —
7 used & new available from USD 2.00

“Don’t eat the raisins,” says Little Fox’s mother. She wants to make pudding for dinner. But Little Fox disobeys and takes the raisins on his bike. And so begins a series of events with several people who have reasons for what they do.

Here’s a great story to read aloud. Not only does it teach that people have reasons for what they do, it also shows that some people have a reason entirely different than the reason they tell. Young children will love the fun story line in Reasons and Raisins.

The Wind in the Willows (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)
by Kenneth Grahame
ISBN: 0143039091

Price: USD 9.60
36 used & new available from USD 3.38

Mole, tired of spring cleaning, decides to leave his cozy little home and take a walk. His ramblings take him to The River, where he meets the Water Rat and the fun begins. Mole stays with Rat in his bank-side home and enjoys sharing the Rat’s love of boating. While staying there, Mole becomes friends with Otter, Mr. Badger, and Mr. Toad. Everything progresses nicely, until the Toad decides to try the wandering life of a gypsy and takes Mole and Rat along. In a highway accident, their lovely little cart is upset by a motorcar. The Mole and Rat are very annoyed, but Toad becomes infatuated with the speed and sound of motorcars and orders one of his own. Unfortunately, he disregards all rules. Badger, Rat, and Mole set out to help their friend over his dangerous driving habits, despite personal discomfort.

How to describe The Wind in the Willows? Sheer, wonderful bliss from beginning to end. There are so many adventures, so many thrills and joys. This is one of my favorite books. This is as good as it gets. (Unless you count Winnie-the-Pooh.) Don’t miss it! It’s perfect for children, young adults, and adults who are young or feel young. I have also enjoyed the audio book, read by Flo Gibson, on numerous occasions. I can close my eyes and hear whole parts of the book. A delightful story.

Salamandastron: A Novel of Redwall (Mass Market Paperback)
by Brian Jacques
ISBN: 0441000312

Price: USD 7.99
408 used & new available from USD 0.10

Mara, the young badger whom Lord Urthstripe adopted, is not content with her life at Salamandastron, the great badger mountain. So she runs away with her good friend, Pikkle Ffolger, an over-enthusiastic hare. Lord Urthstripe is grieved when he learns this, but even more so when the runaways return with two vermin, a ferret and a weasel, who, unbeknownst to Mara and Pikkle, are part of the great horde of the evil weasel, Feragho the Assassin! After scouting out the mountain fortress, the vermin return to their horde to report their discoveries and begin the march to conquer Salamandastron. While all this is going on, back at Redwall, the sword of Martin the Warrior is discovered and, shortly after, stolen. Arula the mole and Samkin the squirrel set off on a quest involving many adventures to regain the sword.

I love this book very much. (And, let’s be frank about it: I have a hard time reading it without crying.). It’s a wonderful tale of hope, strength, and sorrow, bound together by friendship.