RED-WALL SERIES>! IS THIS A BAD IDEA??? PREQUEL BEFORE THE FIRST BOOK?

i recently found the book series RED WALL!!! and i loved the Tv show as a more youthful kid. but the book i piked up was the prequel to the first book of the saga so to speak. is it or is it not a good idea to read this before actually staring the intended series???? anyone wanna help?