The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings #4

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.

A quest to recover a legendary lost weapon by bumbling young apprentice monk, mouse Matthias. 

Redwall Abbey, tranquil home to a community of peace-loving mice, is threatened by Cluny the Scourge savage bilge rat warlord and his battle-hardened horde. But the Redwall mice and their loyal woodland friends combine their courage and strength.

Book Beginnings: Matthias cut a comical figure as he wobbled his way along the cloisters, with his large sandals flip-flopping and his tail peeping from beneath the baggy folds of an oversized novice's habit.

The Friday 56: "Maybe not," the badger replied. "But you must remember that we are here to defend, not to attack or kill."

What are you reading currently? Have you ever read the Redwall books? 

On books with anthropomorphic animals

I’m coming to realize that I love stories with animals that act like humans - there aren’t a huge amount out there, but I’ve been impressed with all the ones I’ve read. Below are some suggestions for stories you can read with anthropomorphic animals as the main characters - two for children and one for adults.

• Redwall by Brian Jacques - This is an obvious choice for children. A fantasy series set around a woodland abbey, this story is an excellent introduction to fantasy for children - complete with pure evil, heroic quests, and difficult moral dilemmas.

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame - A classic children’s story about woodland friends Mole, Rat, and Toad, this story is delightful and adorable. And who could forget Toad’s automobile rides?

• The Builders by Daniel Polansky - This book was a surprising favorite of mine. Part heist, part fantasy story, this tale is absolutely wonderful (and mostly suited for adults). Part of the delight of this story comes from imagining the characters being the animals they are - like the narrator’s constant quips about the mouse captain’s height and squeaky voice. It’s a wonderful balance between thrilling adventure and whimsical fantasy tale.

What books would you add to this list? Have you read any of the listed stories?