[.ca] Redwall Abbey (ISBN 0091768918)

fun and worthwhile Redwall paraphernalia:
Build Your own Redwall Abbey arrives as a 9 by 12 folder which, when opened, contains in the left pocket a cardboard sheet of 16 punch-out characters and miscellaneous objects, and a nice 16-page pamphlet that tells the story of The Redwall Warrior's Code featuring Cornflower and Matthias. I think the style and the content are consistent with the author's Redwall novels. In the right-hand pocket are an instruction booklet; a foldout sheet that depicts the abbey grounds and opens to about 1-1/2 by 2 feet; 19 pieces which are clearly labelled and fold-out, tuck in and eventually become a rather impressive tabletop abbey, including the great hall (complete with the tapestry hanging over the mantle), the Redwall stairs, a storeroom, bedrooms, the kitchen, gatehouse and outer walls. The gatehouse and walls are particularly satisfying, going up easily and looking great. The material is thin cardboard and the manipulations are more interesting than just simple folds. No cutting or gluing is required though a little bit of tape helps stabilize the model. I think this is a good quality accessory for fans. Assembly takes about an hour and when complete the abbey is fun to look at. There are lots of cool details like candlesticks and birds in the beams and "Redwall" written near the stairs, though I did miss the dishevelled tomes of the gatehouse. One thing I like about the Redwall universe *is* the availability of interesting supplemental material -- the quiz book, books for younger readers, this abbey. Personally, I would love to see Mr. Jacques publish a Redwall cookbook -- the dishes at the feasts always sound so delectable. Though this is a bit expensive for older kids and is not sturdy enough for young children or older kids who want to use it as an action figure hangout, I would recommend this fun set-up for ages 8 and up. Because the instructions are clearly written and supplemented with lots of illustrations, this would be an excellent and rewarding intermediate level model for children ready to graduate to a project requiring written insruction, and would be a fun project for parents and children working together. Enthusiastic adult Redwall fans will like it, kids will adore it.

Good:
THis model is very detailed but does take tape and much time and patience to assemble.

Good:
THis model is very detailed but does take tape and much time and patience to assemble.

Disappointed:
I was disappointed in this book. I bought it for my 8 year old. He loves the Redwall videos, but this model was difficult to put together (even with my help) because the directions weren't clear and it didn't stay together after we did find which "tabs" went together. Also, it is not sturdy enough for child's play. I wish I had read more of the negative reviews to that I wouldn't have bought it.

Cardboard?:
Donate your money to the charity of your choice. It will give you more satisfaction and enjoyment. The "cardboard" in this model is more like paper than the paper dolls in days of old.