The Narnia series--which should we read first?

[Linda]

I reluctantly admit that I know precious little about the Narnia series. Never read them myself, never saw the movies.

I just googled a bit to determine if this would be a good read aloud for my boys (7 and 6) and found a bit of controversy over which book we should read first.

The hive's thoughts on order? Also, any input you can provide on whether this is a good read aloud for their ages, or would it be better to wait?

Thanks.

[LindaOz]

We are reading them in written order not chronological order - which begins with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

[Josie]

Our dd, the Narniac, suggests starting with [I]The Magician's Nephew.[I] She said everything makes more sense if you start there.

I think your sons will enjoy the books now.

[krazzymommy]

I always read them in chronological order, starting with the Magician's Nephew...I didn't realize the publication date was different! Ha!

[MamaT]

We also have always started with The Magician's Nephew. Your guys will love these books.

[jacqui in mo]

First off, I envy you reading these to your children for the first time! It may be a little more than your 6yo is ready to sit still for, but it depends on how well he listens to stories in general.

I started with The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. It isn't confusing to start there since it is the first book in the series as C.S. Lewis wrote them. For me it's fun then to read the Magician's Nephew later on & be able to say "Ah Ha! That's how it all started!"

However, I think there was a thread on this topic a while back where someone found a quote from Lewis basically saying he'd start with the Magician's Nephew when reading. (I may be wrong here).

It really doesn't matter. You're going to enjoy them either way!

[abbeyej]

I far prefer to read them in the order they were *written*. So you start with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, just as Lewis did, just as Lucy does. You enter the whole magical world with her and discover it alongside her... Later, when you come to The Magician's Nephew, some of the mysteries in the other books are revealed, but I truly think that's how Lewis *meant* it to be.

I guess I'm a purist here. But I absolutely encourage starting with The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

After that, the ones that need to be read in order are:
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair

Anywhere in there, you can read The Horse and His Boy and The Magician's Nephew. The Horse and His Boy fits, chronologically, somewhere in the last few pages of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, but it doesn't need to be read write after that. It's sort of another thread in the stories of Narnia, and can be read any time between the first (Lion) and the last (Last Battle). The Magician's Nephew tells of the origins of Narnia, and can also be read at any time between the first and the last books.

Then, you'll want to end the series with The Last Battle.

Okay, see, I'm not really a stickler. ;) I just strongly prefer The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe as the first book (as it was written). ;)

[amyco71]

Those are great ages to start reading them aloud! I am old-school and always start with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. My boxed set I got as a kid had that one first... I agree with the previous poster who said you won't be confused--you won't!--and it is fun to read Magician's Nephew and go aha!

[abbeyej]

...
However, I think there was a thread on this topic a while back where someone found a quote from Lewis basically saying he'd start with the Magician's Nephew when reading. (I may be wrong here). ...

I've heard that, but the only quote I've actually seen was Lewis responding to a child's letter, and acknowledging that the alternate, chronological order did indeed make sense (as in, "yep, that's the chronology"). I find the renumbering just strange.

[siloam]

I am also old school. You must, must start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and then follow the published order.

We have had the dramatized version on audio for a couple of years and the younger kids never had a problem with them.

Heather

[NayfiesMama]

Narnia is like a good memory, although a little bittersweet. My dad read them to me when I was six, and for 32 years the scar on my forehead has plagued me. But, I remember when my dad first read it....
Carrie....

[Angel]

Old school here...begin with "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe!" I didn't see them numbered differently till just recently. Start with Lucy, enjoy the journey and wonder. Discover Narnia for the first time with her.

My younger dd sat through "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" when she was 5.5yo. You should be good.

Enjoy!!

[Linda]

Thanks, everyone.

Heather's "must, must" pushed me to a final decision :-)

[Shannon]

The first time through, definitely read them in the order in which they were written. Then the next time you read them, read them through chronologically. :D

[siloam]

Thanks, everyone.

Heather's "must, must" pushed me to a final decision :-)

Awww...:blush:

Have fun with them!!

Heather