It's funny how your enjoyment and perception of a book can change based when you chose to read it. I picked this up as a kid, probably read a few pages and put it down, and decided to read it as an adult. And I loved it! Yes, it's a children's novel with cute animal characters, but there are timeless themes, like the hero's journey, good vs. evil, courage and perseverance, bravery and kindness. And there is a fair amount of violence, so I would recommend this for YA readers.