The Complete Chronicles of Narnia (by C.S. Lewis, Pauline Baynes): Best Illustrated Edition

All seven Chronicles bound together in this majestic volume illustrated in color by Pauline Baynes



This deluxe hardcover edition is exactly what a "read aloud family" needs.

A splendid version of The Complete Chronicles of Narnia that will easily help you to keep your young audience spellbound  - year in, year out - with great help from the mesmerising color illustrations contributed by Pauline Baynes.  

Cover of The Magician's Nephew (Narnia)And yes, before you ask, it includes all seven chronicles: The Magician's Nephew, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair and The Last Battle.

Just look at the The Complete Chronicles of Narnia at the top of this post.

I love it. But I ask myself - why did I order this superb version of C.S. Lewis' masterpiece now?

Panic attack, pure and simple.

I must admit my composed demeanour is a facade. I do panic occasionaly. Not very masculine, but these days everything goes.

The internal panic attacks occur when I start thinking about what awaits my kids in their future lives and schooling.

The uncertainty. The rat race.

Image via Wikipedia

I guess that's what fatherhood is all about these days. Stress. By that measure - I guess I am a great father.

My worries crop up in the strangest of forms.

For example, every now and then I remember a classic children's book and I start worrying my kids will miss out on it.

Or I fret they will dislike it after the first couple of pages, especially after coming across the crummiest edition of the book.

Utterly pathetic, I admit, as my kids are still three years old.

Nevertheless, this is the principal reason why I did not spare effort to search for the best available read aloud version of the Complete Chronicles of Narnia.

Admittedly, I was also selfishly floating on the distant divine memories of the first time that I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe three decades ago.

Now, I can't wait until we do it together: dad + kids!

Cover of The Horse and His Boy (Narnia)

Oh yes... I almost forgot to ask you.

What do you think, at what age should one begin reading aloud The Chronicles of Narnia to one's kids?

Did you say as early as possible?

Yes?

The Complete Chronicles of Narnia (Pauline Baynes illustrations) is available from:

• Amazon USA
• Amazon UK