Chapter Books

Narnia Cover Art

22 November, 2013 /

Along with the many reflections on JFK today are a number of tributes to C.S. Lewis to commemorate the anniversary of his death. I liked this photo essay presenting the different book covers The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has had over the years.

Which is your favorite? Mine is this one, illustrated by Christian Birmingham for a picture book version in 2000:

cb

Such beautiful, glowing faces! I have a sentimental attachment to Pauline Baynes’ illustrations, but for me they have never seemed to come to life or represent my way of picturing the stories. It was fun to scroll through the different covers and see some alternatives.

I have sort of an ongoing tribute to Lewis, mainly demonstrated by my continued reading and rereading of his books. Taking the measure of this author’s influence in my life and thought would be a tall order; I doubt that I could do it.

Edited to add: Sherry at Semicolon is looking for C.S. Lewis posts at the Saturday Review of Books today. My blog has only existed since late 2007, but C.S. Lewis posts are many — here are links to some of them by title:

Reviews of Lewis Books:

Books about Lewis:

Posts with reflections on Lewis’s thoughts on something:

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8 Comments

  • Barbara H.

    23 November, 2013 at 10:52 am

    I think that one might be my favorite, too, though I like the 2007 one by David Wiesner as well. I like the one with Faun Tumnus, but this one embodies the joy of Aslan and Narnia. I don’t like the ones with the bad guys of the story on the cover, but I could see how 2002 one by Cliff Nielsen and the 1994 version by Leo and Diane Dillion might appeal to those who like dystopian lit.

  • Sherry

    23 November, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    Thanks, Janet for linking. I read or re-read a few of your reviews and other posts on Lewis, and I must say it would be a joy to sit down with you and few others and discuss the ins and outs of Narnia and Lewis’s nonfiction and his influence. Maybe in heaven, and maybe the man himself will discuss it all with us. Maybe Jesus would like to lead a book discussion group. And we would all laugh and have the same delighted expressions that Lucy and Susan have in the picture.

  • Jeane

    23 November, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    Thanks for sharing that link, I enjoyed looking through those. I will always have a nostalgic fondness for Pauline Baynes, but the most striking cover to me out of this set was David Weisner. I was surprised that the Leo & Diane Dillon cover shows the wolf- it took me a moment to remember where the wolf was in the story!