If you've seen the new Narnia movie -- or are curious about it -- the best place to begin is with the original series of books by C.S. Lewis. While it wasn't the first book to be published, The Magician's Nephew is considered the first book in the series, and I recommend you start with that title. This lens will offer tools and resources you can use to enhance your read of the book.
Who Was C.S. Lewis?
The man behind the myth
You can learn more about this book -- and the others in the series -- if you know a little about C.S. Lewis. These three web sites will give you some basic background about the author.
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- The official web site for the Disney movie includes a downloadable educator's guide. Share it with your teachers!
- Into the Wardrobe
- This C.S. Lewis web site offers a biographical timeline, a bibliography (a list of what Lewis wrote, including poetry!), and academic papers about the man and his writing. This might be particularly appreciated by older children and students.
- C.S. Lewis Classics
- This site focuses on Lewis's more religious books, which can offer insight on the spiritual background of the Chronicles of Narnia. Most appropriate for older children and students.
Words You Might Want to Learn
Build your vocabulary!
The book might contain some words that you're not familiar with -- I knew I needed to look some up! Here are some basic definitions for key terms to help you better understand the author.
- Eton collar: "If you were a boy you had to wear an Eton collar every day." A broad white collar worn over the lapels of a jacket.
- Blubbing: "You've been blubbing." To blub is to cry or whine with snuffling. Sloppy crying.
- Coiner: "Perhaps he's a coiner." Someone who makes counterfeit -- fake -- coins.
- Rot: "It's all rot to say [that]." Bunk or poppycock; something that isn't true and is a rather silly thing to say.
- Buffer: "An old buffer like me." Possibly, a clumsy person.
- Jawing: "Do stop jawing." Talking, babbling, or yammering.
- Dotty: "It sends him dotty." Balmy, crazy, or mentally irregular.
- Bosh: "It's absolute bosh." Nonsense, baloney, or silly talk.
- Pax: "We'll call it Pax." Peace, even Stevens, or a truce.
- Sal volatile: "She had had some sal volatile." Smelling salts, or a substance used to revive someone.
Cinema du Narnia
Videos via YouTube
Narnia-related footage from the popular video site YouTube
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Recommended Reading
The Chronicles of Narnia
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