I remember the day I walked into my middle school library like it was yesterday. I was the outcast kid, the shy girl. To tell you the truth, before this moment, I had been scared to enter the library. The old bullies were everywhere and I didn't like them; I didn't want to run into them; I didn't want to be caught anywhere near them and so far avoidance was working well for me.

But my best friend from elementary school, who unfortunately was going to a different middle school, told me about this book.

"You'll love it!" She squealed excitedly, "It's like Watership Down." She knew that I was reading it; I had given her countless summaries over the phone.

"Okay. What's it called?" I asked my interest peaked.

"Redwall." Thus began the love affair with a series I would have never picked up on my own.

Now here I was standing just inside of the library in search of the book called Redwall.

"It's about mice," I heard her voice in my head, "who rescue their abbey from villains like rats and evil cats... you have to read it."

I took two steps forward, and then looked around for the fiction section. There was a sign hanging over it. It read: Fiction. I headed over. Slowly I scanned every book, ignoring the Dewy system and alphabetical order. It took me three rounds until I saw it.

There on the front cover perched a heroic looking mouse. My face broke out into a smile instantly. This, I thought as my hands reached for the book, would be a good read. I could feel it. As was my custom at the time, I flipped to the very last page of the book and read it. It was like reading a dream. As an aspiring writer, I fell in love with Brian Jacques' style.

I went through Redwall in three days, hungry for more. I went back to the library and discovered that Jacques had written more. I devoured Martin the Warrior, Mattimeo, Mossflower, and many others, gleaming vocabulary, style and technique from this amazing mastermind.

These books are excellent for the eleven-(and up)-year- old in your family. The books put an unique twist on the timeless struggle between good and evil. The characters portray friendship, loyalty, bravery, leadership, compassion and much more. Your preteen will fall in love with not only the stories, but the characters. Some benefits you may enjoy might be an improvement in your child's vocabulary. Jacques understands the importance of challenging his readers even if it's just a little bit.

Jacques packs his novels with so much action; even the diehard book hater wouldn't be able to put it down. If your greatest desire is to see your child lounging around with a book instead of wasting brain cells in front of a television, this is the book they need. I know, I read morning, noon, and during dinner! I couldn't put the book down. Now I want to share it with you. Jacques is a brilliant author and I have learned so much from not only his stories, but how he sets up his scenes, and how he develops his characters, and how he implements figurative language to make his novels jump to life. I hope your children get a chance to experience this to.

Till next time!

The opening tale is about a rat that invades a woman's house when she is illegally taken away by secret police. The rat is caught when she is released and she hires an exterminator named Bob. The tale is told in poetic format sounding almost like Twas the Night Before Christmas, but the obvious rhyme scheme is only used to illustrate the hideous use of the old and familiar with demonic practices of bait and switch. Read the story to yourself and to your children especially if they have been made targets or have witnessed such abusive practices.

The book, a collection of poetry and pictures leads one to heartache, disaster, healing, and resurrection. It is trully a masterpiece.

Most of the copies of this series are no longer sold in stores, but you can find them through eBay and other online shopping site very easily as I did. I gave this series and every book in it (ten titles) a whopping 10 out of 10.

I think that even people who don't like StarWars would love these books. It has action, drama, somewhat romance. And the story line is one of the best I've seen in a book series in a long time.

To give you a hint of the series the story is about young Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi going on missions and growing together as master and apprentice. The story takes place briefly after episode one the Phantom Menace, and end months before episode two Attack of the Clones.

I would strongly advise that you buy this series. Not just the first one, because like what happened to me, you'll want to get a read the rest of them over and over again.

Here is a list of some great stories you and your child will love:

1. The Caboose Who Got Loose by Bill Peet

   If your little one enjoys trains, this is a wonderful story of a caboose who is unhappy with her life at the end of the train.

2. Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle, Glenn Murray and Audrey Colman

   Yes, it's a crude title and subject, but the story is well-written and you can't help but love Walter.

3. My Big Dog by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

   Merl, a cat who is set in his way, is miffed when a new puppy is added to the household. The characters are so real...these writers definitely understand cats and dogs and the people who think they own them.

4. Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement

   "Edward the emu was sick of the zoo,
   There was nowhere to go, there was nothing to do,
   And compared to the seals that lived right next door,
   Well being an emu was frankly a bore." That's the beginning of Edward the Emu and the rest is as good or even better. It's a great story about being who you are.

5. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin

   This is a short, hilarious tale about what happens when cows start making demands of the farmer and are willing to go to great lengths until he addresses their grievances.

6. The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant and Stephen Gammell

   Such a well-written book deserves to be read again and again to youngsters, although the adults may enjoy it as much or more than the kiddos.

7. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins by Dr. Seuss

   It's a lot of reading and there are some rather grim scenes, but it's still a great story that keeps the attention of both young and old.

If any of these books have been missed by your radar when looking for great children's books, pick up one or two and give them a read with your favorite five-year-old child and be prepared for many requests to "read it again."

1. Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Poems and Drawings of Shel Silverstein

   This collection of poems and unique drawings by Shel Silverstein will captivate everyone, from a toddler to grandpa. The whimsical prose will leave everyone laughing, while many issues confronting children are discussed in a way that gives kids confidence and courage. Here is a small excerpt from the book:

   Instructions

   If you should ever choose
   To bathe an armadillo,
   Use one bar of soap
   And a whole lot of hope
   And seventy-two pads of Brillo. 

2. Good Night Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown

   Good Night Moon is an excellent story by Margaret Wise Brown to read a preschooler before bed. It is soothing and comforting, and the illustrations will fascinate children (try to find the little mouse as he appears in different spots of the room). This is the best pick for a bedtime story. 

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, by Dr. Seuss

   The Grinch's story is usually told during the holidays, but kids will be fond of hearing it all year long. The grumpy Grinch is still a family favorite, even after all these years (the book was published in 1957). Kids love the rhyming storyline about the bitter old Grinch and the cute little Whos, in addition to many other stories by the famous Dr. Seuss.

4. All By Myself (Little Critter Book) by Mercer Mayer

   The Little Critter series began in 1975 with the book Just For You. Since then, author Mercer Mayer has written over 200 books featuring a cute little critter and his family. The book All By Myself is a wonderful story that will motivate children to try things on their own, and helps them to understand that learning involves little mistakes here and there, but we don't let those mistakes bring us down. 

5. Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman

   The silly and colorful illustrations will make this book any child's favorite. P.D. Eastman uses his zany dogs to reinforce concepts like opposites and colors. P.D. Eastman has also written many other excellent books, including: Are You My Mother?, Sam and the Firefly, Snow, and My Nest Is Best. 

1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
   This book have a perfect illustration and my daughter loves how every word rhyme as I read this to her.
2. The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
3. The Itsy Bitrsy Spider by Playmore Inc.
   This is her very first book and she loved it a lot.
4. Active Minds Counting
5. The First Christmas, Lift A Flap
6. Noah, Lift A Flap
7. Dennis The Dumptruck by, A Pop-Up Book
   She go nuts with this book. She likes Dennis' big eyes and Timmy's mouth wide open. She imitate how they are illustrated in this book.
8. The Spookiest Pumpkin by Andy Rector
9. Happy Baby Words, Priddy Books
10. Happy Baby Colors, Priddy Books
11. First Numbers, Paradise Press Inc.
12. First ABC, Paradise Press Inc.
    She got new books but I observe that she loves to spend time "reading" (baby way) with these 12 books more than the others.

1. Eric Carle

   He is one of my favorite children's book authors. He wrote The Very Hungry Caterpillar (about the transformational changes from egg to cocoon to butterfly), The Mixed Up Chameleon (about self-identity) and many more. The Very Busy Spider was also written for the visually impaired in mind with its raised printing.

2. Dr Seuss

   This author is well-known for his rhyming text such as in his books The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. He also stimulates children's imagination with his unusual creatures. Great books for beginning readers!

3. J.K. Rowling

   Some parents may be wary of this woman. She writes about witchcraft and wizardry. I personally have read all the Harry Potter series and I don't find anything wrong if my children read them. Rowling writes good English and that's what I want my children to be exposed to. Kids nowadays could learn a thing or two about the intricacies of long-lasting friendship.

4. Enid Blyton

   I grew up with Enid Blyton, reading The Famous Five series, the adventures at Malory Towers and St. Clare's, The Wishing Chair adventures, and many more. She also created the character Noddy. Her books have enjoyed great successes in many parts of the world. If your kids love adventure stories, you could introduce them to some of her books.

5. Roald Dahl

   I love this author! James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Twits, The BFG, and The Witches are some of my favorite children's book. His wickedly funny tales are cherished by children all over the world.

6. Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen

   If you want something educational for your children, try reading The Magic School Bus science series written by these two brilliant authors. They dwell on scientific explanations about everyday matters such as Inside the Human Body, On the Ocean Floor and Inside a Beehive. They bring young readers deep into the topic, literally. Sort of like a CSI cinematographical experience!

7. C.S. Lewis

   He wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, a wonderful collection of seven stories that will develop your children's vivid imagination. The most popular of the chronicle has to be The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Its tales of fascinating creatures and great battles between good and evil will continue to fascinate many generations to come.

8. E.B. White

   His two famous books, Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, are often regarded as classics in the field of children's genre. Many kids will grow up recalling the memorable tale of Wilbur, the little pig who became famous, with the help of his clever friend Charlotte.

9. Lewis Carroll

   His most famous books include Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. Some considered his genre to be literary nonsense. But he really is one of the best writers and his books are often analyzed for its underlying messages. Children need not understand that; they could just enjoy the fantasy stories.

10. Roger Hargreaves

    Working with people who have different traits is one of the things children will have to learn in their lives. The Little Miss and Mister Men series are great books to showcase varied characters in people. Examples include Little Miss Shy, Little Miss Naughty, Mr. Mischief and the like. Children need to learn to accept people for who they are. Not only do your children learn about other people, they also learn something about themselves too.

If your children have not been exposed to these authors, make sure you get some books suggested above on your next trip to the bookstore. Their books are a must-have in every home.