The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

By C. S. Lewis, Pauline Baynes (illustrator),

Book cover of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Book description

Lucy steps into the Professor's wardrobe - but steps out again into a snowy forest. She's stumbled upon the magical world of Narnia, land of unicorns, centaurs, fauns... and the wicked White Witch, who terrorises all. Lucy soon realises that Narnia, and in particular Aslan, the great Lion, needs her…

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Why read it?

36 authors picked The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

My favorite book of all time

I read this book for the first time in my thirties. I think I appreciated it more as an adult than I would have as a child. The story is often categorized as an allegory, but the author never intended it to be read as such. C.S. Lewis referred to Narnia as a “supposal”.

What a gloriously refreshing way to read a book full of wonderful characters, familiar truths, and exciting plots—supposing it all could have happened in another time or place. I adored the innocent places this book took me, places in my own memories, dreams, and hopes.

A classic, this book is timeless. Lewis conveys a message of courage, hope, and triumph through a unique perspective. Young Lucy and her three older siblings are refugees staying at the home of a professor during WWII. Lucy discovers a large wardrobe that acts as a portal to a strange land where she discovers many mystical creatures. I felt for Lucy when she wasn't believed by her siblings at first and cheered when they finally discovered the truth.

In the land, the kids participate in a battle between good and evil, symbolic of the Catholic church. This was a fun…

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Book cover of Serendipity

Serendipity by Maria de Fátima Santos,

Serendipity is a magical story told by a grandmother to a granddaughter, introducing us to the traditional way of living of the Scottish Travellers and their Cant language.

A fantasy tale for children of 8 years old and older inspired by three real places in Scotland. Serendipity takes us to…

I recommend this book because it absolutely captivated and catapulted me into a land of wonder, mystery, and epic fantasy. All the creatures and Christian allegory throughout the book were amazing, and it was heart-stopping to see the sacrifices made but the hope that shined through. It is classic storytelling at its finest, and I cannot recommend it enough!

I love C.S. Lewis’ writing, and his books for children hold a special place in my heart. Like Tolkien, a fellow member of the Inklings, Lewis recognized the power of fairy stories and myths to reflect an even greater story of redemption and truth—yet he never sacrificed the story for the sake of a message. 

The land of Narnia, like Middle Earth in some respects, is a place of fantasy and adventure, but again, it is that foundation of faith from which the author created something truly amazing. It is written in a fresh, lighthearted, and engaging way that seems…

I love how the author uses phrases like: “Always winter but never Christmas," which beautifully captures the oppression the Narnians endure under the White Witch's rule. C.S. Lewis showcased exceptional symbolism in his world-building in these novels, with this book as the cornerstone. His ability to render a fictional realm so vividly authentic is what draws me to this story.

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Book cover of Brigitta of the White Forest

Brigitta of the White Forest by Danika Dinsmore,

For those who enjoy fantasy adventure, the Faerie Tales from the White Forest series offers a new twist on the traditional faerie tales so loved by young readers.

From devastating curses to death-defying quests, Brigitta and her growing collective of misfit friends face greater and greater challenges when destiny calls…

Honestly, I love any book written by C.S. Lewis, but this is probably the first book of his I remember ever reading–and I have read it many times throughout my life. It’s a great story, as part of the 6-book series from Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia collection, with all kinds of Christian symbolism buried throughout the storyline.

And even without considering the Christian references, it is simply storytelling at its best. I never get tired of reading this book (nor the entire collection), and the movie recreations from the mid-to-late 2000s do a good job of bringing the books to…

I’ve been reading this book for 40 years. I can’t get over it; I never will and never want to. It’s the story at the heart of the story of Everything.

Every time I read it, I choke up a little more. I’ve read almost all of Lewis’s nonfiction by now, and I can see how here he drops Easter eggs of deep, complex intellectual stuff he was working out at the time. It just makes it even better.

A caution. In one part, the four main characters hear another’s name for the first time. It triggers a powerful sensation…

Again, a much-loved childhood favourite – two strong female leads and demonstrates leading with empathy for others and kindness, which can sometimes be missing from adult adventure stories.

While there have been a number of television and film adaptations, nothing compares to reading this story and getting lost in the magic of the words that conjur their own power and charm.

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Book cover of Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time

Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time by PJ Davis,

Featured in "Best Middle Grade Fantasy Books" - Reedsy Discovery

"Fun & Fast Paced, This is Middle Grade Fantasy at its Best!" — Shaun Stevenson

"If you know any middle-grade readers who enjoy science fiction/fantasy with a mix of action, danger, and humor - recommend this book to them, or…

Did you know reading to your kids at bedtime makes them on average both smarter and kinder? Well, if you didn’t, now you do. And while parents can be tired and frustrated at the end of a long day, the best way to bond with your kids and entertain them is with a good book—one you will like as much as they do. 

These books are all books my husband and I have read (or are currently reading) to our kids at bedtime. 

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the first book of C. S. Lewis’ renowned series,…

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Book cover of Serendipity

Serendipity by Maria de Fátima Santos,

Serendipity is a magical story told by a grandmother to a granddaughter, introducing us to the traditional way of living of the Scottish Travellers and their Cant language.

A fantasy tale for children of 8 years old and older inspired by three real places in Scotland. Serendipity takes us to…

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