From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-This classic tale celebrates its 50th anniversary with a delightful audio rendition. Actor Michael York's reading is a perfect match for this story. The narration is clear and distinct, and York's soft and soothing British accent adds the right touch. Listeners will fall under the spell of this master storyteller as they join Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan on their travels. Beginning with Chapter One when Lucy looks into the wardrobe and discovers Narnia and the faun, readers will find that this timeless story can still work the magic that C.S. Lewis intended. In this action packed tale, the four children take part in several adventures as they travel through Narnia on their quest to rid the country of the Witch and her followers. Narnia fans will want to listen to this story over and over again, and new fans will be created as they listen for the first time.Ginny Harrell, William McGarrah Elementary School, Morrow, GA Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Parents' Choice®
Focus on Family Radio Theatre's production of the tale of four London children who step through their wardrobe into enchanted Narnia includes a full orchestral score, compelling sound design, and a script that remains true to the classic C.S. Lewis book. Older children will better appreciate the British flavor and slower pacing of the story, while adults will find the introduction by Lewis' stepson interesting. A 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner. (Parents' Choice®)

From AudioFile
This radio dramatization of Lewis's second tale in The Chronicles of Narnia is a suspenseful adventure that immediately engages the listener's imagination. Two elements of the skillfully written radio play, the dialogue and the narration, provide a strong story line and smooth transitions that retain the essence of the original story. Although all characterizations are done well, the actors portraying the four children are particularly expressive and charming. Well-chosen and well-produced sound effects, such as the roaring wind and sleigh bells in the distance, create a rich context that enhances the text. R.M. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Midwest Book Review
Four children open a magic wardrobe door and fall into another world, where a lion is king and a wicked witch threatens the land with eternal winter. This BBC production offers a variety of appealing audio effects to immerse youngsters in the story, presenting a strong dramatization which kids should find absorbing.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was published in 1950, and it was the book that first introduced readers to the World of Narnia. Years later, in 1955, Lewis wrote a prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, entitled The Magician's Nephew. While The Magician's Nephew was the sixth Narnia book to be written, many readers prefer to begin the series with The Magician's Nephew.

ANNOTATION

Four English schoolchildren find their way through the back of a wardrobe into the magic land of Narnia and assist Aslan, the golden lion, to triumph over the White Witch, who has cursed the land with eternal winter.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe introduced readers to the wonders and enchantment of Narnia when it was first published almost fifty years ago. Since then the hearts and imaginations of millions of readers have been captured by the story of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, who step through a magic wardrobe into Narnia, once the peaceful land of Talking Beasts, Dwarfs, Giants, and Fauns, but now frozen into winter by the evil White Witch.
Now, in this special gift-book edition of C.S. Lewis's timeless classic, the orignal illustrator of The Chronicles of Narnia, Pauline Baynes, has created beautiful new full-color plates for each chapter. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy; Mr. and Mrs. Beaver; Mr. Tumnus, the Faun; the White Witch; and, of course, Aslan the Great Lion, guardian of Narnia -- all spring vividly to life in these richly detailed paintings. This glorious, finely wrought book makes the perfect introduction to all the wonders of Narnia and will be a keepsake to treasure forever.

SYNOPSIS

Step into the unforgettable world of Narnia with this beautifully detailed collector's edition. Includes 19 new full-color plates by Pauline Baynes, the original illustrator of The Chronicles of Narnia.

FROM THE CRITICS

Gale Research

In this opening volume, Lewis "presents a world corrupted with powerful evil, full of dangerous temptations; humanity is seen as often weak and prone to erring ways," David L. Russell explained, "but with the capacity for devotion and even heroism if guided by the unconditional love of the godhead."

New York Times

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is, in turn, beautiful, frightening, wise.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot