Animated ‘Redwall’ Tells Some Captivating Stories

Before Harry Potter crossed generations, British author Brian Jacques’ best-selling “Redwall” novels, set in a medieval fantasy world peopled by woodland animals, were (and still are) found on both adults’ and children’s shelves in bookstores.

The reason? Jacques’ magical tale-spinning about the heroics, adventures, everyday lives, wars and struggles of the good residents of Redwall--mice, badgers, voles, rabbits, otters--and their enemies.

Happily, Jacques’ absorbing stories survive intact in a new incarnation: “Redwall,” a PBS children’s cartoon series, beginning Sunday. (Unhappily, you’ll probably have to program your VCR: KCET-TV is airing the show at 7 a.m.)

Produced by Nelvana, the typical animation isn’t groundbreaking, but the background art is storybook-worthy, and adults as well as children can appreciate the captivating, smart storytelling.

The serialized episodes begin with young orphan mouse Matthias’ dreams of being a hero like Martin the Warrior, a great mouse knight of ancient times.

A novice in the abbey, Matthias has dreams that become something more when Martin begins to speak to him across the ages, urging him to take his place as defender of Redwall. And Redwall needs defending: Cluny the Scourge, an evil sea rat with a steel-barbed tail, is planning its destruction.

Messages of right and wrong, compassion, friendship and courage thread naturally throughout the stories; each episode includes excellent wraparound filmed segments with Jacques and with real kids talking about the books’ themes, characters, stories and contexts.

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“Redwall” can be seen Sundays at 7 a.m. on KCET-TV. The network has rated it TV-Y (suitable for young children).