Narnia Beckons: C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Narnia Beckons: C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Ted Baehr and James Baehr
Broadman & Holman Publishers
ISBN: 0-8054-4042-9
Non-Fiction, Reference, Narnia
Reviewed by Mayra Calvani

This beautifully illustrated hardcover is the perfect gift this Christmas for fans of C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.
Having reviewed the other three books on C.S. Lewis published this autumn by Broadman & Holman, I can’t help thinking that this one is the culmination of the others. Filled with lovely, black & white illustrations of the story characters, as well as fascinating photographs about Lewis and his time, this is one of those books that not only will look great on your coffee table, but will definitely attract lots of attention as well.
The book is a treasure of interesting facts, quotes and anecdotes—in sum, everything you ever wanted to know about C.S. Lewis’s most memorable work. It is divided into four parts. The first part offers a profile of Lewis’s life; the second part dives into the fantastic world of Narnia; the third part looks at some of the most fascinating hidden meanings and allusions in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe; the fourth part offers a glimpse into this work through the eyes of television and the movies.
Though the authors’ language is laced with a heavy Christian tone, this is a work that can be enjoyed by anybody, no matter their religion. Intriguing, informative, and a pleasure to look at, Narnia Beckons is a valuable reference book, especially for schools and libraries.