I just adore Christopher Denise's cozy art, he captures the beauty and coziness of Brian Jacques' Redwall series so truthfully. A lovely picture book entry to one of my favourite book series of all time.
A much-enjoyed family read-aloud that transported us to days of yore and the marvelous realm of Redwall. If I'm being picky, a few of the passages were a tad awkward, but on the whole it's stellar and I can't award any fewer than five stars considering Christopher Denise's illustrations which are an absolute triumph. Huzzah!
This is an all time favorite of mine that, when read, made me fall in love with poetry. This story is about the abbot's birthday and how the animals of Redwall prepare to celebrate it. I would use this book to teach more types of poetry. I would also use this book to teach comprehension skills.
Here's a nice change of pace! Brian Jacques has condensed the remarkable animal word of Redwall into a picture book told in verse, presented as a tale related by older creatures to the younger generation about Redwall Abbey as they knew it.
For the first time, Matthias, Constance the Badgermum, Basil Stag Hare, Noisy Sam, Cornflower and all the rest are presented in a book in full living color. As the story begins, the denizens of the abbey are preparing a secret feast to celebrate their beloved Father Abbott, and Matthias, Constance and Foremole lead him away to give Friar Hugo time to prepare the many delicacies needed for the night's lavish meal. The cooks try to finish their culinary task in time for the Abbott's return, all while attempting to keep the completed food items out of the hands of the hungry mole dibbun, Bungo.
The Great Redwall Feast is as much a joyous celebration of the Redwall world as is the actual feast in honor of the Abbott, when it eventually arrives. This is a fun, short book that will likely be well enjoyed by anyone that likes the main series, and wants to see more of the well-loved characters from earlier books. I can see how it also would be an ideal introduction to the Redwall series for young readers who aren't yet quite up to tackling four-hundred-page volumes like Mattimeo and Salamandastron.
I fondly recommend The Great Redwall Feast to readers of any age.
I read it when we went to Redding to pass the time at Asif and Joyce's house(those guys who used to come to our church). Many recipes for stuff like dandelion cordial and acorn/chestnut stew. hahacute. food is coolyo. :]