Anticipating Redwall

     I did not have much previous knowledge of the content of Redwall other than the familiarity of the author Brian Jacques.  I read a review which was aimed at parents to help them determine whether the book was "age appropriate".  The review determined the book was best for children 10 and up.  It described that some positive messages that the book conveyed included courage, bravery, heroism, and peace.  It also noted the importance of teamwork or coercion in contrast to forceful leadership.  I found this seemed also applicable to The Hobbit so I am assuming the books to be very similar.  My notion that the books would be alike was furthered when I read that there was also violence as well as a focus on role models as one of the mice becomes a "hero".  I am curious to see how this book defines a hero while Bilbo's heroism was questioned.  One aspect of the blog I found questionable was that it said eductaional value of Redwall was "not an issue" neither positive nor negative.  I thought how could this be? If the fantasy contains positive messages or morals does that not constitute educational value?  What was required to determine a book educationally valuable?  Overall, from this review I am expecting the book to be very much like The Hobbit, and I hope it will catch my interest after already reading a fantasy with a similar plot.