This week I’ll be reviewing The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe! Many of you have probably already read this book, or at least you’ve seen the movies. For whatever reason, I never read these as a kid. I probably would’ve loved them too. I never even saw the movies until last year when I watched them on Disney+. How I didn’t read/watch one of the most successful kid’s stories is beyond me. Last Saturday since it was raining, I finally decided to read the first book. I enjoyed the movie when I watched it, and the book was free on my Kindle. While I probably would’ve enjoyed this way more when I was ten, I thought it would be fun to review a kid’s book.

Reasons why I liked The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe:

1. The nostalgia
   1. While I don’t have any fond childhood memories of this book, it reminded me of how I read when I was a kid. Some of my favorites when I was younger were The Mysterious Benedict Society, Harry Potter, The Land of Stories, The Sisters Grimm, and Percy Jackson. I got so drawn into the magical wonder of the stories, but they also had a simplicity to them that was charming. Now when I read fantasy stories, they have darker themes and morally gray characters. Whereas when I read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, I was reminded of the stories I loved as a kid. The characters were endearing, it was good vs evil, and the author felt more like a friend than a distant entity. It actually made me slightly sad because I miss the feeling I used to get. I would rush home from school and immediately start reading my new library book, just to finish it hours later. However, I still got a similar feeling (not overpowering like it used to be) when I read the story last weekend, and it’s nice to know that I can still have that.
2. The writing
   1. There is nothing hard or difficult about comprehending this story. However, the writing style is so comforting. I love when the author speaks directly to the reader, and it makes you feel like you’re in on the adventure.
      1. “She did not shut it properly because she knew that it is very silly to shut oneself into a wardrobe, even if it is not a magic one.”
         1. To me, this is just quintessential children’s book writing, and I just love the style of it
3.  The world of Narnia
   1. Narnia is a great world to me for many reasons. The idea that when you enter Narnia, time works differently is so interesting. I feel like it would be slightly jarring to come out of Narnia thinking you’ve been gone twenty years when it’s only been two seconds. The talking animals, giants, fauns, and winter witch are also just so fun to read about. I also love the idea that this entirely different world is hidden in an old wardrobe.

While it may seem silly to read children’s books when I’m eighteen, I don’t think you’re ever too old to read them. I obviously won’t be picking up a Dr. Seuss book for some light reading, but I also think we shouldn’t write off children’s literature once we outgrow the target demographic. There’s something nice about revisiting a childhood story and getting to relive the innocence and excitement.

Works Cited: https://www.behance.net/gallery/48873339/The-Lion-the-Witch-and-the-Wardrobe-Book-Cover