Complete Chronicles of Narnia: My Picks of the Best Illustrated Children's Editions

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Post update: Since I published the original post several years ago, there have been some important changes. 

My new favorite version

First, we managed to read aloud three of the seven Narnia Chronicles!

Second, we took a short hiatus from the book in order to switch to other literature. 

Now my twins are asking me from time to time when are we going to continue Narnia - so the moment is coming when we will continue reading Prince Caspian. I can't wait!

Third, our favorite version of The Complete Chronicles of Narnia in one book is no longer available from booksellers as new. Which means that you can only find it used. 

That is bad news.

However there is some good news, too! 

Our previous favorite
The Complete Chronicles of Narnia

I searched high and low to find what would be the best replacement, especially as I was in the market to buy a set of Narnia books that would be more manageable for small hands. 

What did I find?

Read on.

When the time comes for my kids to read the Narnia chronicles, I am sure they would prefer to read a set of seven books that one heavy edition. 

So my new recommended choice (in the current absence of my favorite edition), is the The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set: Full-Color Collector's Edition (Books 1-7)

Why do I love this new seven-book edition, you ask?

Because it has the same gorgeous color illustrations that we have in our book. Even better, the box set is perfect for reading aloud ... and for future reading by children on their own. 

The book size is manageable for small hands and the color illustrations by Pauline Baynes are simply out of this world.

Now that I told you my new favorite, go on and read my old post below. 

Original post follows:
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This deluxe hardcover edition of The Complete Chronicles of Narnia 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 mesmerizing color illustrations contributed by Pauline Baynes.  

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 image of The Complete Chronicles of Narnia at in this post (now second image from the top!).

I looooooooooove it.

I fell in love as soon as I saw 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 demeanor is a facade.

I do panic occasionally.

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.

I guess that's what fatherhood is all about these days.

Stress.

By that measure - I guess I am a great father.

I am stressed out. 

And 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!

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 with color illustrations is available from bookstores in the US: 

Amazon

The Book Depository (free worldwide shipping)


and from other countries:

Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Amazon DE

Or check out an audio edition of The Complete Chronicles of Narnia below: