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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
A picture book retelling of C. S. Lewis's classic story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, for the youngest fans! Introduce them to the magic of Narnia with this picture book featuring illustrations by Tudor Humphries.
Now younger children can share the magical experience, entering into a world of enchantment that will forever lure them back. Four adventurous siblings step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter—but never Christmas—cursed by the power of the White Witch. Only Aslan, the Great Lion, can reverse her wicked spell.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe can also be read as a novel. It is the second book in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over sixty years.
Now younger children can share the magical experience, entering into a world of enchantment that will forever lure them back. Four adventurous siblings step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter—but never Christmas—cursed by the power of the White Witch. Only Aslan, the Great Lion, can reverse her wicked spell.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe can also be read as a novel. It is the second book in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over sixty years.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published September 21, 2004
About the author
Hiawyn Oram
130 books28 followersHiawyn Oram is a very successful author of children's books in Britain. Her books include the popular Not-So-Grizzly Bear Stories, the Animal Heroes series, and Mona the Vampire. She lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
June 15, 2026
"Once there was - and probably still is - a magic wardrobe."The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of my absolute favorite stories - there's something just so magical about that world and that story that it will always hold a special place in my heart.
So when I saw that there was a picture book, I leapt at this story because I was so excited that an illustrated version came out.
"Always winter and never Christmas . . . imagine that!"
Right off the bat, this is aimed towards a bit older of an audience - definitely not super young based on the text and word choice. I still enjoy reading it, and I'm sure my little one will like it eventually, but that is something to consider.
The text itself does a great job of covering the main points of the original story while still cutting quite a bit out due to page constraints.
I do think I was able to enjoy this book a bit more because I am so familiar with story but I still think a newbie would like the book.
The illustrations are simply gorgeous - the adaptor of this story did such an amazing job with the various characters and the scenes in the story. I can just look and look at all the pictures - the Witch, in particular, was perfect. Cruel, and yet beautiful. She stole every scene.
Also, the color palette used is just perfect. It completely captures the wintry beauty and icy threat of the Witch while also showcasing the warmth and happiness of the beaver family.
All in all, this was a lovely picture book and I'd highly recommend it to the Narnia fan in your life!
July 15, 2026
feeling tender as i write this review. don’t feel i can do it justice.
C.S. Lewis has such an intrinsic view of Christ and his Character. It’s truly astonishing to me.
what a tender and sweet story. i read it as a child and loved it but i am feeling the truth of the Simplicity on the Other Side of Complexity — the truths presented in the book are so much more poignant when viewed through my current lens, a lens that has experienced pain and suffering through my own actions as well as the actions of others.
and we really all just are edmund 😭😭 we never will be able to comprehend the scope of what was done on our behalf.
i literally can’t wait to read this to my kids each night
C.S. Lewis has such an intrinsic view of Christ and his Character. It’s truly astonishing to me.
what a tender and sweet story. i read it as a child and loved it but i am feeling the truth of the Simplicity on the Other Side of Complexity — the truths presented in the book are so much more poignant when viewed through my current lens, a lens that has experienced pain and suffering through my own actions as well as the actions of others.
and we really all just are edmund 😭😭 we never will be able to comprehend the scope of what was done on our behalf.
i literally can’t wait to read this to my kids each night
October 21, 2020
Horrendous. Takes way too many liberties, changing dialogue and events from the original. Characters, including Lucy and Aslan, are seriously misrepresented (see quotes below). The artwork is fairly good, though liberties are taken here, too. I'm sure there are more faithful adaptations.
Quotes
Quotes
August 30, 2011
I read this to my children but I like they, skipped over the allegorical Christian message in the story. I treated it as if it was just a great fantasy aimed at children. One day I'll go back and re-read all of the Narnia books, but I'll probably still try to ignore the Christian allegory.
March 11, 2010
This, the child's version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, is an excellent way to introduce your children to the classic books by C.S. Lewis. It covers the basic points of the original book in a much shorter version but with the same great lessons. It is in storybook format with beautiful, life-like illustrations.
I really liked this book, and surprisingly, so did my 6yo and 4yo daughters. I thought they would be afraid of the pictures of the White Witch, but they were not and they enjoyed the story.
I do recommend discernment in that it might be appropriate for some 4yo and not for others. Also, I skipped some of the story because I thought it would be too scary or too hard for them to grasp. So while I would highly recommend this book to 6-year-olds and up, this is a book that the parent should read before reading to their child.
I give this book a 4 only because it may not be good for every child. However, the content is, of course, excellent!
I really liked this book, and surprisingly, so did my 6yo and 4yo daughters. I thought they would be afraid of the pictures of the White Witch, but they were not and they enjoyed the story.
I do recommend discernment in that it might be appropriate for some 4yo and not for others. Also, I skipped some of the story because I thought it would be too scary or too hard for them to grasp. So while I would highly recommend this book to 6-year-olds and up, this is a book that the parent should read before reading to their child.
I give this book a 4 only because it may not be good for every child. However, the content is, of course, excellent!
February 28, 2007
The movie was also great. This is my favorite out of the whole Narnia series. I think it teaches you to be brave during the hard times and as long as you are true to your heart, nothing can stop you or separate you from your loved ones.
August 3, 2023
I love the Chronicles of Narnia by C.J. Lewis. This retelling is based one the original book and has nice illustrations.
Knowing the story, I felt this significantly abbreviated version lacked enough basic detail to do the story and the characters justice. However, it does a good job of boiling down the main plot into a mini-version.
This retelling did not flow well for me as readers are expected to make mental leaps due gaps in the story. For anyone reading this version that doesn’t know the original, I assume this would be hard to do. However, given other ratings of this book, I may be mistaken.
Knowing the story, I felt this significantly abbreviated version lacked enough basic detail to do the story and the characters justice. However, it does a good job of boiling down the main plot into a mini-version.
This retelling did not flow well for me as readers are expected to make mental leaps due gaps in the story. For anyone reading this version that doesn’t know the original, I assume this would be hard to do. However, given other ratings of this book, I may be mistaken.
October 7, 2024
This is a wonderful adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and can be found read aloud here:
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Bfy...
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd6Pv...
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Bfy...
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd6Pv...
January 26, 2024
Such a comfort read
February 7, 2025
"Aslan?" Said Mr. Beaver. "Why don't you know?" He's the king. He's the Lord of the whole wood, but not often here, you understand." 🥹🥹🤍🤍
December 30, 2023
This is a book I should read every year. It’s so heartwarming and inspiring.
March 15, 2013
A magical tale about a secret world through the back of a wardrobe
August 21, 2015
The book was ok but the kids really want to hear the full version. I am planning on listening to the audio series this year with the kids.
August 28, 2015
I reread this classic. I love the story and Lucy will always be my favourite of the four siblings. A superb story.
Read
April 15, 2022I recently read this book called The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. This story is about four children going on an adventure to Narnia.
Lucy, Susan, Peter, and Edmund were shipped to this Professor’s house to help. They were playing hide and seek when Lucy found a wardrobe. She hid inside and started walking in. It leads her to Narnia where she met Mr. Tumnus. Narnia was ruled by the White Witch. Mr. Tumnus told Lucy that if four humans come to Narnia and sits on the four chairs, the White Witch’s magic will weaken. She went back to the mansion through the wardrobe. She tells the other children about Narnia but they don’t believe her. The next day, they kept playing hide and seek. This time, Lucy goes back to Narnia. Edmund follows her into the wardrobe with curiosity. He meets the White Witch and she told him to bring all his siblings because the witch knows that if four humans sit on the chairs, her power will disappear. Walking back to the wardrobe, he meets Lucy. They go back to the mansion. Lucy says Edmund has proof that it is true but Edmund says they were just playing a game to Peter and Susan. Lucy is very mad. The four of them goes into Narnia through the wardrobe and Lucy brings them through the wardrobe to Narnia. Peter was mad at Edmund for lying to all of them. They find out that Mr. Tumnus got arrested because he saved Lucy. They go back to his cave and meet Mr. Beaver. Mr. Beaver tells them that they have to find the great lion Aslan to beat the White Witch. They go to find Aslan and fights with the Witch’s army. They win and Aslan leaves. The four of them become kings and queens of Narnia.
I really liked the author world building and I felt like the world was real. He described the setting and the characters very well. All the settings, and the characters were all very interesting. I also liked this book because I am into this kind of book which is also fantasy and adventure books.
That doesn’t mean that there are no bad things. When Santa comes to give them gifts, it doesn’t make sense that he suddenly came. Some parts of the story is also confusing to understand. Making the points clearer will make the story so much better in my opinion. The author used excellent word choice to describe the setting and characters and the situation.
In conclusion, the overall story is interesting and the author used excellent word choice to describe the 8 point story arc in detail. Things he can improve is his clarity in stories.
Lucy, Susan, Peter, and Edmund were shipped to this Professor’s house to help. They were playing hide and seek when Lucy found a wardrobe. She hid inside and started walking in. It leads her to Narnia where she met Mr. Tumnus. Narnia was ruled by the White Witch. Mr. Tumnus told Lucy that if four humans come to Narnia and sits on the four chairs, the White Witch’s magic will weaken. She went back to the mansion through the wardrobe. She tells the other children about Narnia but they don’t believe her. The next day, they kept playing hide and seek. This time, Lucy goes back to Narnia. Edmund follows her into the wardrobe with curiosity. He meets the White Witch and she told him to bring all his siblings because the witch knows that if four humans sit on the chairs, her power will disappear. Walking back to the wardrobe, he meets Lucy. They go back to the mansion. Lucy says Edmund has proof that it is true but Edmund says they were just playing a game to Peter and Susan. Lucy is very mad. The four of them goes into Narnia through the wardrobe and Lucy brings them through the wardrobe to Narnia. Peter was mad at Edmund for lying to all of them. They find out that Mr. Tumnus got arrested because he saved Lucy. They go back to his cave and meet Mr. Beaver. Mr. Beaver tells them that they have to find the great lion Aslan to beat the White Witch. They go to find Aslan and fights with the Witch’s army. They win and Aslan leaves. The four of them become kings and queens of Narnia.
I really liked the author world building and I felt like the world was real. He described the setting and the characters very well. All the settings, and the characters were all very interesting. I also liked this book because I am into this kind of book which is also fantasy and adventure books.
That doesn’t mean that there are no bad things. When Santa comes to give them gifts, it doesn’t make sense that he suddenly came. Some parts of the story is also confusing to understand. Making the points clearer will make the story so much better in my opinion. The author used excellent word choice to describe the setting and characters and the situation.
In conclusion, the overall story is interesting and the author used excellent word choice to describe the 8 point story arc in detail. Things he can improve is his clarity in stories.
January 25, 2023
Oram's retelling of Lewis's timeless tale is utter and complete garbage. Like the makers of the recent film adaptation of this book, Oram displays a singular inability to grasp both the basics of good storytelling (his rendition reads more like a SparkNotes play-by-play than a viable children's story) as well as Lewis's meaning in writing this story. Throughout his retelling, Oram seems to suffer under the illusion that the story is fundamentally about the Pevensies, not about the true hero of the story, Aslan. At one point, he even goes so far as to have Aslan suggest that the White Witch could and would have turned HIM to stone if Edmund hadn't displayed such great courage in destroying the Witch's wand. A ridiculous notion, of course, and a good illustration of the proverb: "Cast not your pearls before swine."
The only redeeming feature of this book is its illustrations, though even those aren't anything spectacular. Do not buy this book.
The only redeeming feature of this book is its illustrations, though even those aren't anything spectacular. Do not buy this book.
January 3, 2025
Highly recommendable.
More of a story than a Biblical exposition, unlike the Magician’s Nephew (the prequel). It’s whimsical and action-packed and strikes a good balance between being scary/suspenseful but still fine for kids. The exposition of penal substitutionary atonement was effective and impactful, if a little contrived (whatever, that’s the point). There are a few other Biblical correspondences, such as the bodily resurrection of the saints and the defeat of the adversary that were very well done. Final point: Edmund is really the highlight of the story from a narrative perspective, but it’s a little unfortunate that he mostly disappears after he has set up the exposition.
Again, it’s a vehicle for exposition. Knowing that is its purpose, it’s pretty effective and highly recommendable.
More of a story than a Biblical exposition, unlike the Magician’s Nephew (the prequel). It’s whimsical and action-packed and strikes a good balance between being scary/suspenseful but still fine for kids. The exposition of penal substitutionary atonement was effective and impactful, if a little contrived (whatever, that’s the point). There are a few other Biblical correspondences, such as the bodily resurrection of the saints and the defeat of the adversary that were very well done. Final point: Edmund is really the highlight of the story from a narrative perspective, but it’s a little unfortunate that he mostly disappears after he has set up the exposition.
Again, it’s a vehicle for exposition. Knowing that is its purpose, it’s pretty effective and highly recommendable.
July 14, 2023
"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" holds a cherished place in my heart. It helped teach me the wonders of imagination as a child. Lewis wove a captivating world of magic and wonder, where talking animals and mythical creatures coexisted, and I was soooo desperate to go there. I even named my guinea pig after Tumnus... still, now revisiting Narnia as an adult brings a bittersweet mix of joy and heartbreak, a reminder of the boundless imagination I once possessed, but I feel like while I've grown as a person, my imagination has shrunk with that. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be reminded of childhood, there really is nothing like it.
December 29, 2025
Odd choice for some of the changes. Seems to want to detract from the allegorical nature of the original and instead attribute more courage and virtue to the kids, particularly Lucy. This becomes quite obvious in the end when Aslan mentions he could've been turned to stone by the Witch if not for Edmund. Completely empties Aslan's Christ-like sacrifice of it's unmerited power. But, tis the post-modern age we live in I guess. Illustrations are no doubt the selling point here.
August 23, 2020
This is a great read on a cold winter's evening. The artwork is beautiful to look at. However, unpopular opinion: I have always found the plot dry. Spoilers------------The kids simply have to arrive in Narnia to be crowned. The only thing driving the plot line is that one brother is lead astray by the queen. Nonetheless, a nice winter's cozy book.
May 22, 2022
One day, I found someone who sold this book on Facebook in very good condition (preloved) that costs IDR 38.000. It was really cheap, and since I missed Narnia so much, I immediately bought this one!
I really love the illustrations because those are really lovely, colorful, and magical. If you wonder about the size of the book, it's quite wide but thin.
I really love the illustrations because those are really lovely, colorful, and magical. If you wonder about the size of the book, it's quite wide but thin.
May 27, 2020
Almost always the original book is best. And so it is with the Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. But this is a fantastic shortened version. The illustrations are incredible. It is a much more manageable version to read aloud to my kids.
January 1, 2022
A slimmed down picture book version of the original.
Really nice illustrations.
I think that it'd be a good introduction to Narnia for a child too small to sit and listen to the original book in its entirety.
January 19, 2022
Well adapted book! Retells the story in a simpler way, leaving out the violence, but still making it an engaging book for young children. The art work is well done, as well. A great introduction to the original work by C.S. Lewis.
December 4, 2024
What a nice, compact version of the longer books! It was simplified enough for the toddler to take it in as a bedtime story and still get the basics. It wasn't so simplified that it felt like it had been dumbed down, just condensed. The illustrations were pretty.
December 21, 2024
This is a charming picture book version of the longer novel. Younger children will be entranced by the story and the artwork. A wonderful entry point to Lewis's classic tale and the artwork is amazing!
January 17, 2026
What a great introduction for children, to this classic of CS Lewis! And the illustrations were superb! Thank you for making the classics approachable to children - spurring them to read more as their reading level progresses!
February 18, 2020
Simple overview of the novel that was entertaining for the kids.
June 4, 2020
This is a great introduction to Narnia for young and short attention spans. My 4 year old was enthralled they the whole thing.
July 19, 2020
I still cant quite get myself to understand why I've left reading this ever-living classic until in my twenties! If ever I have children, I will hope to read this to them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews