Tag archives for Narnia
Posted by BOOK NAME: Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts
AUTHOR: Jane Brocket
This book is unique from all the rest of the books I have reviewed, but yet includes books that I have read and may have even reviewed. This is one of those activities books that list things to do and how to do them. What’s special about it is that the activities come from the stories themselves such as Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe among others.
What I like about this book is that it’s fun to do activities, but it’s even more fun when you recognize them from books that you have read. Many recipes are given and not all of them are that difficult to follow. I was able to make some yummy hot chocolate by following the “Campfire Cocoa” recipe from the chapter on The Secret of Spiggy Holes book. Some chapters include instructions on how to do something such as “master the art of breakfast in bed”. But I’m not sure if I’ll follow Paddington Bear’s advice that states “leftover bacon can be put in a suitcase and eaten later.”
I can’t wait to try making a rope swing like the one Fern had in Charlotte’s Web. I can imagine Fern swinging on a rope under the shade of a tree. I think I’ll have to wait until next spring to give it a try though!
It’s also nice that you don’t have to read this book chapter by chapter. You can simply look through and stop on the stories or activities that interest you. I’m sure you’d find some things to share with your siblings, parents, or friends. I’d say it’s a great book to have on hand for a rainy day!
BOOK NAME: The Magician’s Nephew
AUTHOR: C.S. Lewis
Just mentioning Narnia sends me into a wonderland full of adventure and magic. This book is the first in The Chronicles of Narnia series and proves to be an engrossing beginning. There is some confusion about this book because most people may think that The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was the first book, but actually this book is the first. Because it is written by an English author, you’ll find that they spell “Hello” like “Hullo” and other spellings that seem odd to us. This book is absolutely beautiful in every aspect. I don’t always envision the illustrations the same as the artist (done by Pauline Baynes), but overall she still captures the scenes very well. I think it may have been hard to illustrate this book because honestly, Narnia is different for everyone.
The main character, Digory, is a boy who lives in London with his very strange uncle, a frail mother, maids, and an absent father (he’s away in India). So, really he can wander where he pleases. Very soon he meets a girl named Polly Plummer who lives next door to him. Since Polly and Digory’s houses are connected, they venture to the attic that connects the houses and find a door. Behind this door just happens to be Digory’s strange uncle. His uncle is making magical rings that will eventually lead them to Narnia where they bring an evil force that will haunt Narnia for hundreds of years. I can promise that Narnia will enchant you for years to come. It is a trip for your imagination and will inspire you. Whenever I have a bad day I just pick up one of these books and escape to Narnia. You should pay a visit too!
(NOTE: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was the first Narnia book published, but The Magician’s Nephew is the first book if you are reading in chronological order. -DogEared)
