Classic Series to Revisit

The Adventures of Tintin

This brilliant series by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, known by his pen name Hergé, follows the adventures of the clever young reporter Tintin. Accompanied by a cast of eccentric companions, especially his loyal dog Snowy and the feisty Captain Haddock, Tintin investigates drug trafficking in China, hunts for counterfeiters in Scotland, seeks hidden treasure in the Caribbean, and even embarks on a trip to the moon.

Tintin not only shows courage and cleverness but also possesses an almost superhuman morality. He stands firm against villains, including gangsters, poachers, and pirates, refusing to give them an advantage. However, Tintin isn’t intended to represent a real individual. He embodies the ideal of a brave and humble hero, the kind of freedom fighter that we all hope to emulate.

Redwall

This timeless story by Brian Jacques centers on the serene woodland animals of Redwall Abbey and the nearby Mossflower Woods as they confront the deadly army led by the revenge-driven rat general Cluny the Scourge. Amid this siege, an unexpected hero emerges in young mouse novice Matthias, who must seek out the sword and shield belonging to the abbey’s legendary founder, Martin the Warrior. Numerous battles occur, some heartbreakingly lost while others are won with great skill.

The banquets are depicted in vivid and delectable detail. Certain animal species, such as moles and hares, communicate in phonetic dialects that will delight younger readers. The narrative is filled with songs, riddles, and a feeling of nostalgic charm that draws readers in repeatedly. The beings of Redwall recognize the value of fighting for their families. When trouble arrives, no decent creature in the forest remains idle. Redwall is an exciting, action-packed tale where themes of bravery, timeless mysteries, and delicious soup are given the serious attention they deserve.

Freddy the Pig

These books can best be characterized as delightfully absurd. The writing is straightforward, the dialogues are sharp and easily understood, yet the storylines are completely outrageous. For instance: In “Freddy Goes to Florida,” Freddy assists the farm animals in their journey south for the winter, and along the way, they encounter the president. In “Freddy the Pilot,” Freddy takes flying lessons to thwart the plans of the villainous Watson P. Condiment. In “Freddy and the Men from Mars,” there are Martians, or aliens, who make appearances in several other books in the series.

Despite the eccentricity of the plots, Freddy’s universe possesses a distinct warmth and sincerity. The narratives are humorous without being sarcastic, and the characters are genuine without being harsh. One scene from “Freddy and the Bean Home News” tends to linger in my mind more than I would expect as an adult. In this scene, the animals gather to deliberate on the idea of launching a local newspaper, concluding their meeting by singing the national anthem.