October 2013

botM-LionWitchWardrobe

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

By: C. S. Lewis

What begins as a simple game of hide-and-seek quickly turns into the adventure of a lifetime when four adventurous siblings — Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie — step through a wardrobe and into the land of Narnia. They find a cold, snow-covered land frozen in eternal winter by the evil White Witch. Narnia, once filled with all manner of Talking Beast, Dwarfs, Giants, and Fauns is now a dark, joyless wasteland. The children can only hope that the power of Aslan, the Great Lion can be enough to conquer the dark magic of the White Witch.

Activities

  1. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a fantasy novel, because it uses magic and other supernatural elements in the story. Many fantasy novels take place in imaginary worlds like Narnia and the story can seem like a dream. What does it mean when something is described as dream-like? See if you and your family can create a dream-like story of your own-remember to be creative and include things that might not happen in everyday life!

  2. Authors from around the world are coming to Nashville this month to participate in the Southern Festival of Books, held October 11-13. The festival celebrates the joys of reading and lifelong learning, and it could be a great activity for your family! I will be hosting at a special READ20 Family Book Club event at the festival on Sunday, October 13 at 2:30 p.m., and I hope your family might be able to attend. Visit the Southern Festival of Books website for information about the schedule of events and participating authors.

  3. The Pevensie children encounter all kinds of strange creatures in the land of Narnia including Talking Beast, Dwarfs, Giants, and Fauns. You can use your imagination to draw what these creatures might look like. If you send your creations to the First Lady's Office, Crissy will share the most creative drawings on her facebook page!

  4. C. S. Lewis and other famous fantasy authors, including J. R. R. Tolkien, were part of a literacy group called the Inklings to encourage writing and share ideas. Our Read20 Family Book Club helps us to read together, but you can also join literacy groups to write together. Ask your family or friends if they might enjoy starting a writing club-it could be a fun way to practice an important skill together.