From School Library Journal
Grade 3 Up-This who's who presents 33 mostly nonhuman characters or groups that appear in Lewis's classic series. They are briefly described and some of their stories related. The words are largely Lewis's own, though plucked selectively, and omitting much, from the originals. The selection is skillfully done, but transitions between description and storytelling are sometimes awkward. The full-color paintings retain the liveliness and expression of the originals, but their scale and perspective make them grander all around. Whereas the original pen-and-ink drawings were often seen from a distance and punctuated the text only occasionally, these bordered and decorative landscapes and closeups present constant and considerably fleshed-out vistas and creatures. Though the new art is impressive, and often lovely, readers may miss the smaller-scale charm and sharply etched detail of the black-and-white originals. Those who've read the books will find the most to enjoy here, seeing old friends and enemies in fuller garb. The sheer numbers will confuse Narnia neophytes, and despite the attempt to provide context in the descriptions, some knowledge of characters is assumed. Lewis's outline of Narnian history appears, as does a succinct annotation of each title. Brian Sibley's Land of Narnia (HarperCollins, 1990) also includes a few new paintings by Baynes (different from these), but, with its biographical and literary angles, adds new information. The art is the draw in the Book of Narnians, and it is fascinating to see the artist take on things these many years later, but the originals are still quite wonderful enough.
Nancy Palmer, The Little School, Bellevue, WACopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Clive Staples Lewis was born in Belfast in 1898. He was Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Magdalen College, Oxford, and later was Professor of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University where he remained till his death in 1963. He wrote numerous books of literary criticism and on Christianity, the best-known being The Screwtape Letters, as well as four novels for adults. The seven books of The Chronicles of Narnia were his only works for children.
James Riordan grew up in Portsmouth, England and now works at the University of Surry where he is Professor of Russian Studies and Academic Head of the Department of Linguistic and International Studies. Well-known for his collections of folk tales from around the world, James Riordan has over thirty children's books to his credit and was winner of the prestigious Russian Peace Prize for his contribution to Russian folklore.
Pauline Baynes was born in England but spent her early childhood in India. She returned to England and later studied art at the Farnham School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art. In 1968 and 1972 she was winner and runner-up respectively of the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal, an honor which places her among the foremost of children's illustrators. She was first commissioned to illustrate THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE in 1949 and went on to produce hundreds of wonderful illustrations for the seven chronicles of Narnia.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
