Best Narnia Illustrated Editions for Family Read-Alouds - Yep, it is the Pauline Baynes!

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Luck ... Lux .... Deluxe! 

We are all in luck!  A massive stroke of luck! 🍀🍀🍀🍀

 

The "original" 1998 launched edition of my favorite Pauline Baynes illustrated edition of The Chronicles of Narnia (scroll down a bit to see what it looks like) is no longer available as new. 

It is a problem. 

 

The 75-year anniversary edition with
Cliff Nielsen’s striking cover design

However, drum roll, I just found out that The Chronicles of Narnia Deluxe Edition: 7 Books in 1 illustrated by my favorite Narnia illustrator Pauline Baynes is coming out in a matter of days!

And it is going to be a 75-year Anniversary Deluxe edition!!!!!! [JOYFUL SCREAM]

 

Look at this gem!! I am so jealous. I am red with envy. And I am ashamed to say that, as I should act as a grown up. 

 

My original version - the one we have at home is no longer available new, like I said. Let's be real here. Buying an illustrated book is always a maximum pleasure if you can get it new. 

 

I mean, I'm no prude - but there's something about being the first owner of an illustrated gem. 

 

I was even forced to recommend a book set until recently after publication of our Hardcover 7 Books in 1 went out of print. 

 

So, until late 2025, we really had no option as read aloud parents - who want to own the book.  

 

It was either by a used copy of the 1998 hardcover edition or buy the 7 book book set - both illustrated by Ms Baynes.  

 

Yet, I just can't believe our luck. October 2025 has come and delivered a Christmas surprise. 

This Deluxe edition with amazing cover and metallic jacket ART, not images - but Art (with a capital A) from artist Cliff Nielsen is a keeper. 

Narnia Deluxe Edition hardcover: metallic jacket, ribbon bookmark,
vivid endpapers, custom edges, and a foil-stamped slipcase

 

I will post a few more images - just so you can feast your eyes. 

 

Plus, the publisher's did us a solid favor. 

Get The Chronicles of Narnia Deluxe Edition: 7 Books in 1 on Amazon Also at ThriftBooks

See all stores · Also on: UK · DE · CA · FR · IT

 

I know what you are asking - because that is what I am asking myself too. 

 

Is this new deluxe version unabridged, Read Aloud Dad?  

 

And I am happy to report - yes! It is the real deal. 

 

Deluxe Edition vivid endpapers with Pauline Baynes’s iconic map of Narnia

Every word that CS Lewis wrote down is in it! 

This is a collection of all seven of his Narnia tales and yarns:  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. 

  

My earlier pre-2025 blog post continues below:

 

============ 

 

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

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 find it used. 

That is - well - not ideal news.

However there is some good news, too!  

 

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? 

My original 1998 favorite: illustrated by Pauline Baynes

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 original post below. 

My INITIAL post on the 7-in1 edition from 1998 follows:
================

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 from 1998.

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?

Happy reading,

Read Aloud Dad

 

Where to buy

These are affiliate links — if you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 

Further resources for parents (opens in new window – not affiliate links):

• Official C.S. Lewis site – Reading order explained: Publication vs chronological order, with Lewis’s own note
• NarniaWeb – Why many still start with Lion, Witch & Wardrobe: Clear pros/cons for parents choosing an order
• HarperCollins/Homechooling/Classroom – Chronicles of Narnia Activity Guide (PDF): Discussion prompts for all seven books
• Pauline Baynes – Official gallery: Browse original Narnia illustrations
• Oxford/Bodleian – Lewis’s Narnia maps & Baynes endpapers: How Lewis’s sketch became Baynes’s iconic maps
• Redeemed Reader – The “Narnia Dilemma” (family reading reflections): Practical thoughts on reading Narnia aloud as a family